Papasavva, Antonis;
(2024)
A Comprehensive Study of the Extremist Narratives and the Role of Alternative Social Networks that Facilitate Radical Discourse.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Online social networks unite people from various backgrounds with similar interests, often fostering extremely controversial communities. These communities often give rise to controversial discussions, with one prominent example being the emergence of various conspiracy theories through online discussions and opinion-sharing. Conspiracy theories have become pervasive in the digital age, challenging societies and democracies worldwide. This doctoral thesis delves into the analysis, characterization, and understanding of extreme and radical narratives facilitated in mainstream and alternative social networks, focusing mainly on the enigmatic origins of the QAnon conspiracy theory. Utilizing a data-driven cross-platform quantitative approach, we investigate the evolution, behaviour, and impact of QAnon across various social networks to provide a coherent understanding of how controversial discourse proliferates within these communities. Beyond the boundaries of a single conspiracy theory, we shed light on the broader phenomenon of the growth and influence of these communities. Specifically, conspiracy theories, including QAnon, pose significant threats to democracies and individual autonomy by being exploited, with real-world consequences, as evidenced by events such as the 2016 US Presidential Elections, public health threats due to COVID-19 misinformation, the 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol, and many other incidents of violence and radicalization. Additionally, our research transcends QAnon's specific narratives to address critical questions about the movement, including the activity of adherents, discussion topics, and community responses to platform shutdowns and online migration. This thesis underscores the imperative of understanding conspiracy theories and their radical discourse and the urgent need to develop strategies for countering their influence. We provide unique insights into online communities' dynamics, moderation challenges, and the intricate interplay between conspiracy theories and alternative social networks. Additionally, our research offers valuable insights into broader issues of extremism, misinformation, and the spread of conspiracy theories, aiming to inform strategies and policies for addressing these critical challenges.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | A Comprehensive Study of the Extremist Narratives and the Role of Alternative Social Networks that Facilitate Radical Discourse |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2024. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Security and Crime Science |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10188481 |
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