BTSocial media has transformed how we communicate, share information, and connect with others, which has created new and positive opportunities for many people. However, alongside these benefits, social media platforms can also introduce individuals to harmful content. From cyberbullying and harassment to the spread of misinformation and impersonation, the impact of harmful content on social media can have a significant impact on others.
SWGfL’s Report Harmful Content service has seen first-hand how harmful online content can affect others, and works alongside participating platforms as a national alternative dispute resolution service empowering anyone over the age of 13 and living in the UK to report online harm.
Read our article to explore the advice Report Harmful Content has for reporting harmful content online.
Stay Calm
A lot of harmful content online can leave individuals feeling stressed, concerned, and potentially panicked, particularly in cases where scams or threats are happening. Report Harmful Content always advises anyone who comes across harmful content to stay calm, helping them to assess the situation and plan the next steps to take carefully.
If you believe that something you’ve seen online may need reporting to the police, you can consider the questions below:
- Is anyone in immediate danger?
- Has a life-threatening situation been mentioned?
- Is someone’s safety at risk?
- Is anyone being forced to take part in sexual behaviour online?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you should contact your local police immediately. If not, there are steps you can take to address the harmful content, beginning with gathering evidence.
Gather Evidence
Screenshots are a really useful tool for collecting evidence, especially since harmful content may be quickly removed. Saved messages can also provide crucial context, particularly when dealing with forms of harassment. When collecting evidence, try to include the following:
- Timestamps
- URLs
- Platform information
- Any additional context
Gathering evidence can be very useful on end-to-end encryption platforms, where the companies behind the platform can’t always access private messages even when they are reported. This context can be vital for providing accurate advice; different perspectives matter, and the more details available, the better services such as Report Harmful Content can assist.
Use the Correct Reporting Channels
Once you’ve gathered evidence, it’s important to report the content through the appropriate channels. Start by reporting directly on the platform where the harmful content was found. Most social media platforms have straightforward reporting tools. If you're unsure, Report Harmful Content offers guidance on reporting across various platforms.
Keep in mind that initial reports may be processed by computers instead of humans, so it’s important to select the right reporting option. For instance, reporting scams triggers a different response than reporting abuse.
If you’ve reported content through platform reporting routes, waited 48 hours, and received a response you believe may not be correct, you can contact Report Harmful Content. The service will review your case against community guidelines and escalate your report to the platform for further review, however, they cannot guarantee removal.
When contacting Report Harmful Content, it’s important to provide as much context as possible, including any screenshots, URLs and the platform's response to your original report. If the report is outside of Report Harmful Content’s remit, they will do their best to provide further advice.
In some cases, removing online content isn’t enough to stop the perpetrator. In these situations, we recommend contacting the police and seeking legal support. Sometimes cultural and religious contexts can add sensitivity to certain harmful content. For example, content that might seem harmless in one culture could pose significant dangers in another. If you’re in a situation like this, you can consider reaching out to other organisations, you can find further sources of support here.
Take Care of Yourself
Even after harmful content is removed, it can leave a lasting impact. It’s important to take care of yourself once you’ve done all you can to report the issue. Ceasing communication with the perpetrator, blocking accounts, and distancing yourself can be key steps in moving on.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets closure, and it’s important to talk to someone you trust about what’s happened. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a support organisation, reaching out for help is crucial.
Use the Report Harmful Content Button In Your Organisation
Schools and organisations looking to help users report harmful content they see online can add the Report Harmful Content Button to their websites. The Button enables users to quickly access expert advice and guides users through reporting harmful content, whilst ensuring further action if initial reports are unresolved.
Find out more about the Report Harmful Content Button
For more information about Report Harmful Content, and to learn more about social media platform’s community guidelines, please visit their website.
