Recognizing Harassment on Twitter

Despite strong suggestions of how Twitter could combat bad behavior on its platform, the platform has failed to adequately address the harassment that occurs on a daily basis. This includes widespread and targeted mobbing campaigns, lewd comments and messages, and death threats.

In 2017, Pew Research found that around 41% of Americans have experienced online harassment, including the following: offensive name-calling, purposeful embarrassment, physical threats, sustained harassment, stalking, and sexual harassment.*

All of this occurs on Twitter.

• The company continues to receive outspoken criticism of its failures in detecting hate speech, its unwillingness or inability respond to concerns about harassment and the abuse of marginalized people, and its inconsistency in banning users who break its written rules.
• A qualitative and quantitative study conducted by Amnesty International noted that “Twitter can be a toxic place for its female users” and the site had failed to “meet its responsibilities regarding violence and abuse.”
• Jack Dorsey, the founder and CEO of Twitter, has admitted “the system makes it super easy to harass and abuse others.”

Unfortunately, harassment on Twitter can arise from any number of things and can extend into your professional use of the platform.

• Industry competitors may join in on harassment and work to diminish your professional reputation.
• Your professional work or views can come under attack.
• Harassment unrelated to your work can lead to people contacting or tagging your employer.
• DMs are a common place where sexual harassment can occur—often under the guise of professional engagement.