HeartMob Documents and Reports Abuse on Social Media
Joey Haar — November 16, 2016 — Social Good
References: iheartmob.org & wired
In certain corners of the social media and online worlds, harassment has reached epidemic levels, and HeartMob is a volunteer group devoted to fighting back against the trolls. The service harnesses helpful volunteers to document abuse, report it to the administrators of whichever platform is in question, and provide support for those who have been targeted.
Whether on Twitter, Facebook, email, or any other channel, the anonymity of an online persona emboldens certain users to lash out. Sometimes, these eruptions can lead to blatantly hateful statements that would easily amount to criminal harassment in the real world. HeartMob fights back against these trolls, as they have come to be known, by giving volunteers practical tools for helping the people under abuse.
Whether on Twitter, Facebook, email, or any other channel, the anonymity of an online persona emboldens certain users to lash out. Sometimes, these eruptions can lead to blatantly hateful statements that would easily amount to criminal harassment in the real world. HeartMob fights back against these trolls, as they have come to be known, by giving volunteers practical tools for helping the people under abuse.
Trend Themes
1. Online Harassment Monitoring - Opportunities for disruptive innovation exist in creating new monitoring systems for social media harassment.
2. Community-led Support Networks - Communities can create volunteer networks to provide support and assistance for those affected by online harassment.
3. Anonymous User Identification - Developing new tools to identify and track anonymous users can help prevent online harassment and hold perpetrators accountable.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media Platforms - Social media platforms can leverage anti-trolling volunteer networks and implement online harassment monitoring tools.
2. Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity firms can develop new tools for identifying and tracking anonymous users to aid in preventing online harassment.
3. Nonprofit Organizations - Nonprofit organizations can build community-led support networks for those affected by online harassment and offer legal assistance to victims.
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