Introduction

Our Online Hate and Harassment Reporting Guide is designed to help targets of hate protect themselves and report hateful content on major social media and online game platforms. However, social media and gaming companies often have burdensome reporting systems that do not consider the users and communities that are being targeted.

Reporting hate and harassment is important for two main reasons: it shows social media and gaming companies that this sort of material has no place on their platforms,  and it is an advocating tool to keep fighting for equitable online spaces.

As current events trigger surges in hateful online comments, posts, and messages, it is more important than ever for targets of hate to continue to speak out–while being able to do so safely. 

Reporting Hate and Harassment, and Protecting Yourself Online

When facing online hate and harassment, there are two important steps to take, especially for members of marginalized communities:  (1) using safety features and (2) reporting incidents

This guide contains links to help you do both on major platforms. 

Safety features: These tools are offered to users by social media and gaming companies, and consist of actions that you can take to secure various elements of your experience, including: 

  • Muting to fully blocking specific accounts from messaging you or viewing your page
  • Securing your own account (such as using privacy settings or restricting comments)
  • Preventing others from accessing your account (such as various layers of sign-in security) 

Companies use different terms for many of these features, but they are ubiquitous and we strongly recommend using them so you can continue to express yourself freely without becoming a target of hate.

Reporting incidents

Our guide helps you figure out which content you should report – and how. When you file a report using the links below, you can expect to be guided through a standard process.

First, you will get a notification that the report has been filed. This may pop up on-screen in the platform’s reporting area, or it may come as an email. From here, an action by the platform can take anywhere from several days to several weeks. 

Actions can look like any of the following:

  • A warning might be placed on the content, flagging it as sensitive or under review.
  • The content might be limited, meaning the platform takes steps intended to limit the viewability and reach of the content, which lowers the number of people who can organically discover it.
  • The platform might take more serious steps to help minimize the viewers of the content ( “deamplification”) or ensure uploaders cannot profit from it ( “demonetization”).
  • The content might be removed completely.

Please try to stay patient! While platforms state that they try to respond to all complaints within a few business days, it can be frustrating to not hear back for weeks and sometimes months. It is critical that you continue to follow up on your complaint with the moderation staff assigned to your case and ensure the incident is correctly recorded. 

For support at any stage of the online incident reporting process, please feel free to reach out to https://www.adl.org/report-incident.  

The guide below covers high-level examples of how platforms define some key types of hateful content, how targets of hate can report hateful or discriminatory content to platforms, and how to take full advantage of each platform’s safety features. All language in the guide below is lifted directly from major platforms’ safety sites.

What You Should Report, How to Report It, and Safety Features on Major Platforms

Activision/Blizzard

What should you report?

“This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language. Harassment takes many forms, and is not necessarily limited to the type of language used, but the intent.”

“This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images.”

“This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images.”

“This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images.”

“You are not allowed to express hatred for people based on characteristics like: race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability. It’s not allowed to promote organizations that use such hate speech.”

“We allow links to other products on Amazon, but not to external sites. Don't post links to phishing or other malware sites. We don't allow URLs with referrer tags or affiliate codes.”

“Don't post content that encourages illegal activity like: Violence, Illegal drug use, Underage drinking, Child or animal abuse, Fraud. We don't allow content that advocates or threatens physical or financial harm to yourself or others. This restriction includes terrorism. Jokes or sarcastic comments about causing harm aren't allowed.

“We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive community on Bumble. We prohibit content or behavior that promotes or condones hate, dehumanization, degradation, or contempt against marginalized or minoritized communities based on the following protected attributes: race/ethnicity, national origin/nationality/immigration status, caste, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or serious health condition, or religion/belief.”

“We don’t permit organizations or individuals that proclaim, glorify, condone, or are known to support a violent, dangerous, or terrorist-based mission to have a presence on Bumble.”

“We don’t permit violent, graphic, or gory content. This includes descriptions of violence in usernames or profile content, photos containing real or realistic-appearing blood, bodily fluids, or injury, or images depicting guns of any kind (except on a uniformed member of law enforcement or military personnel)”

“Do not use hate speech or engage in other hateful conduct. We consider hate speech to be any form of expression that either attacks other people or promotes hatred or violence against them based on their protected characteristics.”

“Do not organize, promote, or support violent extremism. This also includes glorifying violent events or the perpetrators of violent acts, as well as promoting conspiracy theories that could encourage or incite violence against others.”

“Do not share real media depicting gore, excessive violence, or animal harm, especially with the intention to harass or shock others.”

“Do not threaten to harm another individual or group of people. This includes direct, indirect, and suggestive threats.”

“Language that is hateful, obscene, offensive, profane, racist, sexual, defamatory, violent or discriminating, including on the grounds of race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, national origin, sex, gender and gender identity or sexual orientation, cannot be used in profiles, user IDs, chat rooms, discussion boards, member communication, eBay Claims, eBay Stores, feedback, listings, product pages, collections, and any other areas of the site.”

“Members aren't allowed to use profanity or hate speech in their communications with other members through eBay.”

Electronic Arts

What should you report?

“For example, content that can be seen as abusive, hateful, harassing, profane, defamatory, threatening, obscene, sexually explicit, infringing, privacy-invasive, vulgar, offensive, indecent, or unlawful.” 

“Treat others with respect. Making targeted attacks or engaging in hateful conduct around race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, heritage, country of origin, and so on.”
 

“Epic does not tolerate any form of hate or discrimination. The Epic ecosystem welcomes diversity in race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, national origin, and other groups. Don’t demean, marginalize, use hateful language against, or belittle other users or groups.” 

“Don’t participate in or encourage illegal or dangerous activities within the community, including gambling, illegal drug use, phishing, human trafficking, prostitution, doxing, swatting, or sharing content that glorifies or incites violence. Threats of harm to yourself or others are taken seriously—don’t make them, especially as a joke. If you see something that puts other players at risk.”

“Intolerant or Discriminatory Content, Graphic/Explicit Content, Illegal Activities.”

“Hate groups are not permitted on LinkedIn. Do not use racial, religious, or other slurs that incite or promote hatred, or any other content intended to create division. Do not post or share content that denies a well-documented historical event such as the Holocaust or slavery in the United States.”

“We don’t allow threatening or inciting violence of any kind. We don’t allow individuals or groups that engage in or promote violence, property damage, or organized criminal activity. You may not use LinkedIn to express support for such individuals or groups or to otherwise glorify violence.”

“We don't allow any terrorist organizations or violent extremist groups on our platform. And we don't allow any individuals who affiliate with such organizations or groups to have a LinkedIn profile. Content that depicts terrorist activity, that is intended to recruit for terrorist organizations, or that threatens, promotes, or supports terrorism in any manner is not tolerated.”

“We don't allow content that is excessively gruesome or shocking. This includes content that is sadistic or gratuitously graphic, such as the depiction of bodily injury, severe physical or sexual violence. We don't allow content, activities, or events that promote, organize, depict, or facilitate criminal activity. We also don't allow content depicting or promoting instructional weapon making, drug abuse, and threats of theft. Do not engage in or promote escort services, prostitution, exploitation of children, or human trafficking. Do not share content or activities that promote or encourage suicide or any type of self-injury, including self-mutilation and eating disorders. If you see signs that someone may be considering self-harm, please report it using our reporting tools and consider also reporting it to your local law enforcement authorities. Do not share material depicting nudity or sexual activity.”

Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads)

What should you report?

“We remove language that incites or facilitates serious violence. We remove content, disable accounts and work with law enforcement when we believe there is a genuine risk of physical harm or direct threats to public safety.”

“We do not allow organizations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or are engaged in violence to have a presence on Meta. We assess these entities based on their behavior both online and offline, most significantly, their ties to violence.”

“We define hate speech as a direct attack against people — rather than concepts or institutions— on the basis of what we call protected characteristics: race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religious affiliation, caste, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity and serious disease.”

“We remove content that is particularly violent or graphic, such as videos depicting dismemberment, visible innards or charred bodies. We also remove content that contains sadistic remarks towards imagery depicting the suffering of humans and animals.”

How to report (FB)https://www.facebook.com/help/1380418588640631
How to report (IG): https://help.instagram.com/2922067214679225
How to report (Threads): https://help.instagram.com/6602413966453273

Safety features (FB)https://www.facebook.com/help/592679377575472/?helpref=hc_fnav
Safety features (IG):  https://about.instagram.com/safety 
Safety features (Threads): At this time, Meta has not published standalone safety guidance for Threads. Users can use the guidance for Instagram–we will update when this changes.

Microsoft Xbox

What should you report? 

“To keep Xbox a place where everyone can have fun, we can’t allow behavior or content designed to exploit, harm, or threaten anyone – children, adults, or otherwise. When threatening, abusive, or insulting language is used against another member of our community, or the community at large, it undermines every player’s ability to enjoy themselves.”

Trash talk includes any lighthearted banter or bragging that focuses on the game at hand and encourages healthy competition. Harassment includes any negative behavior that’s personalized, disruptive, or likely to make someone feel unwelcome or unsafe. To qualify as harassment, the behavior doesn’t have to be drawn-out or persistent. Even a single abusive message could harm someone’s experience.”

“People on Nextdoor are your real neighbors, and ALL should feel that they belong. Racism and racial discrimination create an environment of exclusion, intimidation, and fear. No one should feel this way in any neighborhood, but it is particularly harmful if it is the neighborhood in which you live. We have a strict policy against racist behavior, discrimination, and hate speech of any kind in Nextdoor posts and conversations.”

“Neighbors come to Nextdoor to receive trusted information, give and get help, and build real-world connections with those nearby. Nextdoor prohibits any content that facilitates, encourages, or coordinates commercial sexual services. Additionally, Nextdoor is not an appropriate place to share content that is graphic, violent, or sexually explicit.  People have different sensitivities when it comes to graphic or explicit content, so please post with caution and report if you feel that you’ve come across content that violates this guideline.”

“If Nextdoor is contacted regarding imminent danger to a person's safety, we may also report that concern to the relevant authorities. However, contacting Nextdoor is not a substitute for reporting your safety issue to the relevant authorities.”

“Follow this timeless approach: treat others as you would like to be treated. Don’t be offensive, misrepresent, harass, threaten, discriminate against, or abuse anyone, and don’t act in any other manner that could disrupt the enjoyment of others or result in harm to anyone.”

“Be mindful of what you share so others can enjoy your content, and please respect others’ contributions. Don't share personal information, content that is obscene, illegal or otherwise inappropriate, copies of products or services, copyrighted or trademarked works, commercial activity such as advertising or other promotional materials, or any other content that isn’t yours to share.”

“Pinterest isn’t a place for hateful content or the people and groups that promote hateful activities. We limit the distribution of or remove such content and accounts, including: Slurs or negative stereotypes, caricatures and generalizations.  Support for hate groups and people promoting hateful activities, prejudice and conspiracy theories. Condoning or trivializing violence because of a victim’s membership in a vulnerable or protected group. Support for white supremacy, limiting women’s rights and other discriminatory ideas. Hate-based conspiracy theories and misinformation, like Holocaust denial. Denial of an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation, and support for conversion therapy and related programs. Attacks on individuals including public figures based on their membership in a vulnerable or protected group. Mocking or attacking the beliefs, sacred symbols, movements, or institutions of the protected or vulnerable groups identified below. Protected and vulnerable groups include: People grouped together based on their actual or perceived race, color, caste, ethnicity, immigration status, national origin, religion or faith, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition. It also includes people who are grouped together based on lower socio-economic status, age, weight or size, pregnancy or veteran status.”

“Pinterest isn’t a place for graphic violence or threatening language. We limit the distribution of or remove such content, including: Content that shows the use of violence, Disturbing scenes from before or after violent events, Threats or language that glorifies violence. In a few cases, we allow the saving of disturbing images dedicated to remembrance and advocacy, but limit distribution of such content in public parts of the platform.”

“Pinterest isn’t a place for violent content, groups or individuals. We limit the distribution of or remove content and accounts that encourage, praise, promote, or provide aid to dangerous actors or groups and their activities. This includes: Extremists, Terrorist organizations, Gangs and other criminal organizations. We work with industry, government and security experts to help us identify these groups.”

“Do not post content that encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence or physical harm against an individual (including oneself) or a group of people; likewise, do not post content that glorifies or encourages the abuse of animals.”

“Communities and people that incite violence or that promote hate based on identity or vulnerability will be banned.”

“Reddit has zero tolerance for the dissemination of terrorist content on our platform. When we become aware of violative content, we remove it and take appropriate action against the account that posted it.”

“Harassing, stalking or threatening other players or Riot Games employees.”

“Transmitting or communicating any content which we reasonably believe to be offensive to players, including language that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, or racially, ethically, or otherwise objectionable.”

“Roblox honors and welcomes users of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. We don't allow content or behavior that supports, glorifies, or promotes hate groups, their ideologies, or actions. You also may not discriminate, mock, or promote hatred against individuals or groups, or encourage others to do so directly or indirectly, on the basis of their: Age. Race, perceived race, or ethnicity. National origin. Sexual orientation. Gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Religion or religious affiliation or beliefs. Disability status including diseases, bodily conditions, disfigurement, mobility issues, and mental impairment. Physical or mental disability status. Veteran status. Caste. Familial status.”

“Robloxians treat everyone with respect, both on and off of Roblox. If credibly reported to us, we may take action against users who, among other things: Are associated with organized crime, terrorist or extremist organizations, or hate groups. Harass, bully, discriminate, or harm others outside of Roblox. Share others’ personal information off-platform, including making false reports to authorities. Have been convicted of certain egregious crimes, engage in certain illegal activities, or encourage others to do so.”

Roblox prohibits content that recreates specific real-world sensitive events; mocks the victims of such events; supports, glorifies, or promotes the perpetrators or outcome of such events; or capitalizes on these events for commercial purposes, including content about: Mass acts of violence against people or property. Specific, real-world, natural disaster events. Human or civil rights violations.”

Roblox has a zero tolerance policy for content or behavior that incites, condones, supports, glorifies, or promotes any terrorist or extremist organization or individual (foreign or domestic), and their ideology, or actions, including: Depictions of or support for terrorist or extremist attacks. Depictions of or support for the leaders or representatives of terrorist or extremist organizations. Sharing the slogans, images, flags, manifestos, or icons of terrorist or extremist organizations, either in whole or in readily identifiable part. References to the ideologies, messages, or strategies of terrorist and extremist organizations. Expressing support, condoning, or glorifying terrorist extremist ideologies or actions. Recruiting membership for a terrorist or extremist organization, or encouraging others to leave Roblox to find such information. Fundraising for terrorist or extremist organizations, people, or supporting groups. Expressing support, condoning, or glorifying mass shootings and other acts of domestic terrorism or violent extremism

“Encouraging or engaging in violent or dangerous behavior is prohibited. Never intimidate or threaten to harm a person, a group of people, or someone’s property.”

“Terrorist organizations, violent extremists, and hate groups are prohibited from using our platform. We have no tolerance for content that advocates or advances terrorism or violent extremism.”

“Hate speech or content that demeans, defames, or promotes discrimination or violence on the basis of race, color, caste, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, immigration status, socio-economic status, age, weight, or pregnancy status is prohibited.”

Sony Playstation

What should you report?

“There are no exceptions for using hateful language or slurs in any form on PSN, even if the context is lighthearted, non-serious, or used as reappropriation. While players may think it’s appropriate to use profanity among friends or jokingly insult each other, there are consequences to posting offensive content or using offensive language on PSN. The PlayStation Network Code of Conduct applies whether or not the hate speech is directed toward a specific player or audience.”

“Inclusivity: PSN is for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, color, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, shape and size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability, or any other attribute that people use to label others or divide communities.”

“We recognize that online content related to violence can cause real-world harm. We do not allow any violent threats, incitement to violence, or promotion of criminal activities that may harm people, animals, or property.”

“We do not allow any hateful behavior, hate speech, or promotion of hateful ideologies. This includes content that attacks a person or group because of protected attributes.”

“We do not allow the presence of violent and hateful organizations or individuals on our platform. These actors include violent extremists, violent criminal organizations, violent political organizations, hateful organizations, and individual perpetrators of mass violence.”

“We do not allow language or behavior that harasses, humiliates, threatens, or doxxes anyone. This also includes responding to such acts with retaliatory harassment (but excludes non-harassing counter speech).”

“Don't encourage violence or hatred. Don't post content for the purpose of promoting or inciting the hatred of, or dehumanizing, individuals or groups based on race, ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or disease. If you encounter content that violates our hate speech policies, please report it.”

“We don't tolerate content that promotes, encourages, or incites acts of terrorism. That includes content which supports or celebrates terrorist organizations, their leaders, or associated violent activities.”

“Don't post content which includes violent threats toward individuals or groups - this includes threats of theft, property damage, or financial harm. Don't post violent content or gore just to be shocking. Don't showcase the mutilation or torture of human beings, animals (including bestiality), or their remains. Don't post content that encourages or incites violence, or glorifies acts of violence or the perpetrators.”

“Twitch aims to be a place where everyone can come together in shared, community experiences. This vision is threatened when people experience harmful rhetoric and abuse on Twitch. Twitch does not permit behavior that is motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance, including behavior that promotes or encourages discrimination, denigration, harassment, or violence based on the following protected characteristics: race, ethnicity, color, caste, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, serious medical condition, and veteran status. We also provide certain protections for age, which are expressly noted in the examples.”

“Terrorism and violent extremism promote unlawful violence and spread messages of intolerance. Twitch does not allow content that depicts, glorifies, encourages, or supports terrorism, or violent extremist actors or acts. This includes threatening to or encouraging others to commit acts that would result in serious physical harm or significant property destruction.”

“Although we allow a variety of content to be shown on Twitch, content that features extreme violence or gore may be disturbing and distressing, especially if there is death, mutilation, or blood. Content that exclusively focuses on extreme or gratuitous gore and violence is prohibited. Additionally, websites that heavily feature adult content such as sexually explicit content, illegal content, or death and gore are prohibited.”

“You may not threaten terrorism and/or violent extremism, nor promote violent and hateful entities.”

“You may not threaten, incite, glorify, or express desire for violence or harm."

“We will remove any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.”

“We prohibit behavior that targets individuals or groups with abuse based on their perceived membership in a protected category.”

“Colorful language and imagery are fine, but there’s no place for threats, harassment, lewdness, hate speech, or other displays of bigotry. We don’t want imagery of violence, drug use, nudity, near nudity, or suggestive acts—even if those images are an accurate representation of the business’s services or products.”

“Violent or gory content intended to shock or disgust viewers, or content encouraging others to commit violent acts, are not allowed on YouTube.”

“Content intended to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed on YouTube. These organizations are not allowed to use YouTube for any purpose, including recruitment.”

“Hate speech is not allowed on YouTube. We don’t allow content that promotes violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on any protected attributes.”