Navigating the Virtual Realm of Hate: Analysis of Policies Combating Online Hate Speech in the Italian-European Context

The aim of this article is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of policies to counter online hate speech on social platforms. This analysis is approached through an interdisciplinary approach that combines sociological and legal perspectives to provide a non-partisan understanding of the phenomenon. The research consists of two phases: the first phase provides a general framework for the subject under examination, attempting to clearly delineate - on a definitional level - hate speech, emphasising its growing relevance in contemporary social dynamics; the second phase, focuses on an examination of the European value and regulatory framework, with particular reference to the civil law remedies that can be used in the Italian legal system to counteract the spread of online hate speech. This methodology makes it possible to identify the countervailing tools to which private individuals can resort in order to meet the requirements of justice and fairness. In this sense, the article aims to offer a broad overview of the subject matter, providing a contribution to the academic debate and to the understanding of the challenges related to the fight against online hate speech on social networks.