How to Report Racist or Offensive Posts on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for promoting a cause, but lax publishing policies also leave plenty of room for users to spew racist, hateful, and violent rhetoric or harass innocent people .
When social media platforms are slow to track and remove offensive content, you can help them by flagging or reporting posts. Here’s a quick overview of what’s allowed on the major platforms and how you can report abuse.
How to report content on Twitter
Rules Twitter prohibits content that promotes, threatens or incites hatred, violence or harassment against any person or group. This includes violent extremism and terrorism.
To report abusive behavior, go directly to the tweet, direct message, list, or profile you want to tag.
- Tweet: Tap the down arrow> Report> Is this offensive or harmful
- Account: Tap the overflow icon (three vertical dots)> Report> This is offensive or dangerous
- Private Message: Hover over the message (or press and hold on a mobile device) and select the report icon> Report @ username> This is an offensive or dangerous message
- List: Tap the overflow icon (three horizontal dots)> Report> This is offensive or dangerous
You may need to provide additional information about offensive content in order to complete the job and send your message.
How to report content on Instagram
Instagram’s Community Guidelines prohibit hate speech, threats, and posting that targets or offends people.
To report offensive posts or Instagram profiles, tap the three dots (horizontally on iOS, vertically on Android)> Report and follow the instructions.
How to report content on Facebook
Facebook community standards prohibit incitement to hatred, incitement to violence, and groups or individuals that “proclaim a mission of violence.”
To report offensive content on Facebook, go to the specific post, post, page or profile you want to tag. The process will be slightly different depending on the type of content you are reporting, but in general you need a More or Settings menu (three dots or a gear) where you will see support or a Find report . profile / publication option. You will need to describe how the content violates Facebook community standards.
If you’re having trouble browsing content or finding a link to post, Facebook has a guide for each type of content .
How to report content on YouTube
YouTube’s Community Guidelines prohibit content that promotes violence or hate, threats, harassment, and cyberbullying.
You can flag videos, playlists, links, comments, and channels that violate YouTube’s policies. The interface will be slightly different depending on what you check and the device you are using, but find the More option (three dots) on the page and select Report .
Use YouTube’s reporting tool to provide more detailed feedback, flag multiple pieces of content, or report abuse directed at you directly.