Witnessed Discrimination Online? …Here’s How To Report It
The online world has given more opportunities than ever before but has also given a new voice to hatred. Most have you will have seen something offensive or harmful online at some point or another, due to the nature of social media platforms. The open nature of these sites has allowed for groups and individuals to target people in a more intrusive way than before, individuals can now experience abuse sat on their sofa at home, from complete strangers. You might think that there is nothing you can do, after all, these people may be strangers to you too… but you can report it and you can make a difference! Here are what different social media companies have to say on the matter:
Here are the basics
- Facebook allows you to report any type of content whether that be a comment, status, profile, message or even an event.
- Simple to do in most cases you will find the option from the drop down menus represented by three vertical dots.
- Facebook offers numerous options; simply follow the steps as it works you through them. There are different options depending what it is you are reporting, this is designed to help Facebook give you the best options depending on what it judges to be the most severe breach of its terms.
- Typical results are usually a suggestion to block the other user, or submit a report to Facebook for review of the content, where further action may be required. This service is anonymous, the other user will NOT know who reported them.
- Like Facebook you can report each different type of content which you may interact with on the site. Whether it’s a message, a profile or a tweet.
- This function can also be found in a drop down, although it’s icon varies depending on how you access the site. Either three vertical dots, a downward arrow, or if you’re using IOS a gear cog.
- Again a list of options will be presented. In twitters case you’ll only be asked for more information regarding the issue if you label it as abusive or harmful. In this case it is submitted for review, again this is an anonymous service.
- Slightly more complicated as some of the functions are harder to find. However you can still report posts, profiles, comments and messages.
- Posts and profile reporting can be done largely in the same way as the previous two, with a drop down option under the dot icon. Again following the on screen instructions you can create an anonymous report.
- Reporting a comment or a message is slightly different. Comments require you to swipe left on them and messages require you to press the individual message itself. Both then follow the same process, even though they are slightly more hidden away!
Snapchat
- This is probably the one you are least likely to think of reporting a person on. With content disappearing quickly you may not consider it. However this content can still have a lasting impact so we thought we would include it.
- Reporting on stories and snaps requires you to hold down on the particular image/video. Similar to reporting a message on Instagram. Then click the flag symbol in the bottom corner and chose an option. Simple.
- You can also follow the steps on their website should you need to report something else where a more in depth form is given.
Whilst this information is relatively common knowledge for most people, sometimes it’s useful to remind yourself that there are these options out there should you require them. Alternatively if you feel yourself or someone else may be at risk or in danger, you should seek help and inform the police.
With most sites featuring a variation of the features mentioned, it’s hard to understand why there is still such a large issue with abusive behaviour online. It’s certainly something we may not be able resolve with a press of a button alone, however these safeguarding features can still have an impact, should you chose to report an issue.
We’d love to know your thoughts on this subject! Do you think the reporting system can work? Or is it just a redundant feature? Perhaps something for us all to consider when we go online.
