Abstract
<jats:p>The article explores the characteristics of toxic media texts as tools of verbal aggression in contemporary online communication. Analysis of scientific literature shows that this important reality for the information society - toxic media texts - is only beginning to attract specialized research attention. Our study represents an attempt to fill this gap, which determines its relevance. The focus of the research became interpretations of the phenomenon of “toxic media text” among young audiences. As a result, we formulated a definition of “toxic media text” that reflects the key features of the phenomenon; and provided a detailed description of its discursive aspects (the author of the toxic media text and their intentions, the audience and their reactions, content and form of toxic messages, channels of their dissemination, and perlocutionary effects). The study revealed that a toxic media text is a complex and dynamic phenomenon determined by linguistic, psychological, social, and technological factors. Empirical data identified key characteristics of toxicity, including conflict-inducing intentions of the author, negative psychological effects (including those with delayed impact), and the use of nonverbal means to mask aggression. Special attention is given to the metacommunicative factor - reflection on toxic media texts and strategies for constructive responses to them - which is essential for the development of a healthy digital culture.</jats:p>