Reporting hate speech on social media

REPORTING HATE SPEECH ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Here we provide information and instructions on how to report hate speech when you encounter it on any of the social networks.

HOW TO REPORT HATE SPEECH ON INSTAGRAM?

Meta owns several prominent platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. According to Meta’s policy, hate speech is defined as anything that directly attacks people based on protected characteristics (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation). When it comes to enforcement, Meta uses a combination of both user reports and technology to find hate speech automatically.

Meta platforms promise to guarantee anonymity when sending a request, except in cases where it is necessary to establish true ownership.

Instagram provided official instructions on how to file a complaint:

• Report a post

1. Click  (Options) in the top right of the post.
2. Select Report and follow the on-screen instructions.

• Report a comment

1. Click (Comments) below the post.
2. Hover over to the comment that you want to report.
3. Click (Options) below the comment.
4. Click Report.
5. Select an option for why the comment is abusive and then follow the on-screen instructions. Note: After you've reported a comment, you'll no longer see it, but this doesn't mean that the comment was removed by Instagram.

After you have reported a comment, you are entitled to restrict or block the person.

HOW TO REPORT HATE SPEECH ON FACEBOOK?

Facebook as part of Meta shares the same Community Standards as Instagram (e.g. inadmissibility of nudity, harassment, hate speech etc.). Facebook provides settings for filtering content and controlling the user’s experience.

In attempt to handle bullying or personal attack Facebook offer a set of measures:

• Unfriend the person

1. Go to that profile by typing their profile name into the search bar at the top of Facebook.
2. Click  (Friends) at the top of their profile.
3. Click Unfriend, then click Confirm.

• Block the person

1. Switch to the profile that you want to use.
2. Click your profile picture in the top right of Facebook.
3. Select  (Settings) and privacy, then click  (Settings).
4. In the left column, under Audience and visibility, click Blocking
5. In the Block profiles and Pages section, click Edit.
6. Click Add to blocked list.
7. Type the name of the profile or Page that you want to block.
8. Click Block next to their name.
9. Click Confirm.

• How to report the person

1. Go to the post that you want to report.
2. Click  (Options) in the top right of the post.
3. Click Report post.
4. To give feedback, click the option that best describes how this post goes against our Community Standards. Click Next.
5. Depending on your feedback, you may then be able to submit a report to Meta. For some types of content, we don't ask you to submit a report, but we use your feedback to help our systems learn. Click Done.

For more information and tips you can visit Facebook’s Bullying Prevention Hub.

HOW TO REPORT HATE SPEECH ON X (ex Twiter)?

X is notorious for its high levels of inappropriate language, so it's important to know how to protect yourself from offensive content.

The platform has a clear list of policy violations, which includes:

1. Hateful references (content that references forms of violence or violent events);
2. Incitement (spreading stereotypes about protected groups, inciting others to harass members of protected groups);
3. Dehumanization of a group of people based on their religion, caste, age, disability, serious disease, national origin, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation;
4. Slurs, tropes or other content that intends to degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category;
5. Hateful imagery (logos, symbols, or images whose purpose is to promote hostility and malice against others).

X developed a guideline for reporting any manifestations of intolerance:

1. Go to the account profile and select more.
2. Select Report.
3. Select who the report is for: Myself, Someone else or a specific group of people, or Everyone on X. 
4. Provide additional information about the issue you’re reporting.
5. Receive confirmation of the reported information via email.

Additionally, you can also use a form of report abusive behaviour.    

HOW TO REPORT HATE SPEECH ON TIK TOK?

TikTok is one of the world's most popular social media platforms with millions of users where manifestations of intolerance are unfortunately common.

TikTok policy defines hate speech as attacking, threatening, dehumanizing or degrading an individual or group based on their protected attributes. The platform also uses a combination of technologies and human moderators to remove hateful content.

If you want to report offensive content, the platform asks you to do the following:

1. Go to the post and tap the Share button, or press and hold the post.
2. Click Report and select a reason. If prompted, select a subtopic.
3. Click Submit.

Besides, it’s recommended for users to check Safety Centre and read more about safety subjects (such as eating disorders, sexual abuse, bulling, self-harm, tragic events).  

For more information and tips you can visit Well-Being Guide.   

HOW TO REPORT HATE SPEECH ON YOU TUBE?

According to Community Guidelines, the platform doesn’t allow promoting hatred or violence based on caste, ethnicity, or race; disability; immigration status; nationality; religion; sex, gender, or sexual orientation; veteran status; victims of a major violent event and their kin. They are considered as protected groups under YouTube’s policy.

Channels with content violating the policy for the first time get warnings without penalties; owner of the channel is allowed to take a policy training. If the channel gets 3 strikes within 90 days, it may be terminated.

To report hate speech the platform suggests set of actions:

1. Go to the video that you want to report.
2. Mobile version: Below the video, click More, then select Report.

PC version: Below the video, tap Report.

1. Select the reason that best fits the violation in the video.
2. Click Report.