Online Abuse

Parties must respond to online abuse and harassment with the same rigour as they would offline. Online platforms and social media are now a significant channel for engaging in political discourse and activism. Much of this is positive and enriches our democracy. However, people who engage with politics online are at risk of receiving abuse. Candidates, Councillors, MPs and MSPs are particularly likely to experience online bullying and abuse due to their public facing role and because they frequently use social media to communicate with voters and members.

Examples of online abuse include: people targeting abuse at the social media accounts of politicians, upsetting comments in online chat rooms, meeting platforms, blogs and on social media comments and activists using inappropriate language, sharing offensive memes, videos or pictures. People who do this type of behaviour are commonly known as internet trolls. Online activities also provide opportunities for abusive behaviour from other party members, for example indecent exposure or persistent and unwanted attention.

Certain groups are vastly more at risk of online abuse. Women (particularly LGBTI women and women from minority ethnic backgrounds) are much more likely to receive gendered, racialised, sexualised or violent abuse in response to their views or activism. Behaviour like this is rooted in sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist attitudes and is used as a method of silencing those it targets. Online abuse results in people from underrepresented groups being further excluded from political discourse by making them less likely to share their views online, engage in political activities or stand to be a candidate. This creates a barrier for inclusive politics and democracy.

Solving online abuse requires multiple actors to step up but local party groups can act to support their representatives and members to feel safe. Some practical steps you can take are included below.

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