On a good day, platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can bring people together, creating a worthwhile community of support, and providing valuable information on getting through life’s ups and downs. And that, together with all of those viral cat videos, has to be a good thing. But on a bad day? Well, it doesn’t take long monitoring our own social media channels to see what that’s like. Sometimes thoughtless and ill considered, other times downright cruel, there’s no shortage of people, sad and pathetic that they are, who get their kicks embracing the nasty, the vile, and the mean.
Meta owners of Facebook and Instagram are updating their moderation policies
It’s not harmless “banter” and it’s a cop out to reach for the defence of free speech when you’re making vile comments about small children with a visible difference. Of course, it has real world effects. They may only be “just words” but such comments can deliver lasting harm, effecting people’s confidence and sense of self-worth. And it’s surprisingly common; in a recent Changing Faces survey, we found that nearly 20% of respondents aged 18-34 have faced a negative experience on Facebook.
Here at Changing Faces, we’re forever vigilant to what people are saying on our social media channels. We’re don’t hesitate to report or block inappropriate comments and work hard to create a space that is safe and positive for people to talk about their visible difference. But we can’t do everything, and we can’t monitor other channels. And that’s why we’re really concerned at the decision by Meta, owners of Facebook and Instagram to reduce their own monitoring activity and redefine hateful comments and conduct. Though it seems that this policy is initially limited to the US, we cannot condone the role back of protections of an already marginalised group.
Social media platforms with millions – even billions – of users, as well as their wealthy owners, have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their users rather than to facilitate hate speech, intimidation and violence against the vulnerable people. They have not done enough to protect people’s safety, and this latest move is a green light invitation to be divisive, hostile and hateful, without consequence or punishment.
We will continue to call out hateful and inappropriate comments wherever we find them and hope those who share our world view of a more tolerant, inclusive society will do so as well, as best they can.
Andrew Smart
Head of Communications, Campaigns and Digital
