University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
10-2025
Major
Sociology
Department
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Dr. Karina Powell
Mentor Department
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Abstract
This research assesses the website KiwiFarms using a mixed-methods approach, including content analysis and descriptive statistics, to determine whether demographic factors, such as weight, disability, and sexuality, influence an individual’s susceptibility to online trolling for others' entertainment.
The study found that most disproportionately targeted group was found to be overweight females. Meanwhile, Kiwi Farms users were found to be predominantly male, aged 18-24, and reside in the United States. The study's results indicate that the expressions of anomie on KiwiFarms are predominantly disciplinary, suggesting that KiwiFarms users mainly focus their criticism on rule violations rather than targeting individuals based on demographic or physical traits. The findings further demonstrate that anonymity online has been shown to exacerbate hate speech and vitriol, and the culture of KiwiFarms demonstrates how a reference group of like-minded users normalized hostile communication norms within this digital setting.
