Navigating the comments section of her social media posts can be a rollercoaster of emotions for Miah Carter. The 21-year-old influencer shares makeup tutorials, body positivity messages, and lip-sync content with her 3.3 million TikTok followers, but she reveals that her online success comes with a constant barrage of abuse.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Miah disclosed that she faces abusive comments “every second, every day… the trolling I receive is appalling.” This conversation coincided with the release of new draft guidance by Ofcom, aimed at enhancing the online experience for women and girls.
Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, emphasized that the draft guidelines released on Tuesday could serve as a “solid blueprint” for safeguarding women and girls online if tech companies choose to implement them. The guidance from the broadcasting regulator spans from addressing online misogyny to combating the misuse of intimate images.
However, Samantha Miller from the National Police Chiefs’ Council cautioned that the UK cannot solely rely on enforcement to combat these issues. In a special program discussing the safety of women and girls online, Miller stressed the importance of involving all relevant agencies in tackling extreme harmful behaviors and hate speech, particularly those directed at gender.
Ofcom’s Online Safety lead, Jess Smith, echoed this sentiment, stating that the newly issued guidance aims to address these concerns. Smith emphasized that where actions are illegal, the country’s laws will be enforced to ensure compliance.
Miah recounted the disturbing messages she receives, including those urging self-harm and attacking her appearance. She shared how the onslaught of hate affected her mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts in the past. She has since learned to ignore the comments and delete them if necessary.
Ofcom has previously provided guidance to tech companies on safeguarding children online and handling illicit content. Dame Melanie affirmed that companies failing to adhere to their directives would be publicly identified for not prioritizing user safety.
The regulator encourages websites and apps to voluntarily incorporate these guidelines into their design, aiming for a safety-focused approach. The upcoming Online Safety Act will mandate social media platforms to demonstrate the removal of illegal content, such as child exploitation material and content inciting violence or suicide. Additionally, companies must shield children from harmful content like pornography.
Content creator Harriet Maynard also shared her experience of facing abusive comments, sometimes escalating into online harassment incidents known as pile-ons.
An individual is active online.
Her social media posts on Instagram target a female audience and cover topics related to parenthood and lifestyle.
Despite having predominantly female followers, she notes that when one of her videos goes viral, she receives “a flood of negative messages, mainly from men.”
While she typically tries not to let it affect her, she admits that dealing with a barrage of online abuse can be disheartening.
In traditional workplaces, there are HR departments to address issues like bullying or harassment, but for content creators working online, such support is lacking.
Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales, praises the initial guidance.
She expresses satisfaction that Ofcom is taking steps to offer guidance to tech companies on addressing these issues and emphasizes the importance of firms implementing these recommendations to prevent perpetrators from using online platforms for harm.
Prof. Clare McGlynn, an expert in sexual violence, online abuse, and legal regulation of pornography, doubts the potential impact of the non-legally binding guidance, suggesting that tech platforms tend to do the bare minimum to comply with the law.
She advocates for stronger regulations, making the recommendations legally binding and establishing a dedicated Online Safety Commission to address online harms effectively.
Some recommendations from Ofcom to tech companies include:
– Highlighting that women are five times more likely to experience intimate image abuse and are more affected by online harms than men, Dame Melanie clarifies that the guidance does not aim to pit women against men or vilify men.
– She emphasizes the need for a healthier online culture that benefits everyone, including boys, for their future relationships.
The individual featured in the article questions the effectiveness of certain recommendations by Ofcom, such as pop-ups prompting users to reconsider posting abusive comments.
She deems these individuals as cowards who hide behind their keyboards.
However, she supports the idea of additional protections for women facing online harassment, suggesting that social media platforms should incorporate features to shield users from abusive behavior.
Another individual believes that the guidance could bring about some change if companies choose to adhere to it.
She calls for tech companies to take more proactive measures, emphasizing the importance of stricter enforcement and consequences for harmful online behavior.
In response to the issue, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, states that they take action against content that promotes violence and deactivate accounts that violate their policies.
In cases where there is a legitimate threat of physical harm or direct endangerment to public safety, we collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies.
Our ongoing partnership with organizations dedicated to women’s safety is essential in comprehending the various forms of harassment faced by women. Concurrently, we are dedicated to enhancing our technology to swiftly detect and eliminate abusive content.
The BBC has reached out to several social media platforms, including TikTok and X, to solicit their perspectives on the matter.
For those who have been impacted by the issues highlighted in this article, the BBC action line website offers assistance and resources.
Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell is slated to lead a discussion on women and girls’ online safety, as well as safety in public spaces and homes. Tune in to BBC Sounds from 0900 GMT to 1100 to join the conversation, featuring a panel of experts and a live audience.
