Online platforms are places we can connect, express, learn and explore. LGBTQ+ youth can find community online, develop new skills and be inspired by LGBTQ+ activists across the globe.
But we know sometimes that online platforms can also turn nasty.
Newly released figures at Belong To reveal that a shocking 87% of LGBTQ+ young people have seen or experienced anti-LGBTQ+ hate and harassment on social media in the past year.
Only 21% of LGBTQ+ youth who reported abusive or harmful LGBTQ+ content saw action from a social media platform; anti-LGBTQ+ content was removed in 12% of cases, 4% saw the offending user temporarily suspended, and 5% of reports resulted in the offending account being banned.
The remaining 79% of LGBTQ+ young people were either informed that no violation of community guidelines was found, or received no response from the platform.
A digital campaign is being launched called ‘It’s Our Social Media’.
Devised and created by LGBTQ+ young people, the campaign gives LGBTQ+ youth a platform to demand change. The campaign shines a light on the responsibility of social media platforms to moderate hateful, anti-LGBTQ+ content through comprehensive and consistent enforcement of community guidelines.
They are also calling for users to #FeedTheGood and #BlockTheBad on social media, to make platforms safer for LGBTQ+ youth. You can read more here about how to stay safe online and how to report and block online harassment and hate.
Help spread the word about this campaign by sharing our online hub and using the hashtags #FeedTheGood and #BlockTheBad.
It’s our social media – together, we can change it.