A new report from GLAAD reveals that major social media companies are failing to protect LGBTQ+ users from hate speech and harassment. The Social Media Safety Index report ranked six platforms, including Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), on criteria such as policies to protect trans and nonbinary users and tracking violations of LGBTQ+ inclusivity policies. Despite having policies on paper, the platforms do little to stop harmful rhetoric, with almost all receiving an F rating. X, in particular, has seen an increase in misinformation about LGBTQ+ people, perpetuated by anti-LGBTQ influencers and amplified by celebrities and politicians.
While X has been a hub for anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, it only generated $2.5 billion in advertising revenue in 2023, compared to Meta’s $134 billion. The report also highlights instances of legitimate LGBTQ+ content being flagged as “sensitive” or “extreme” by social media platforms, including an Instagram post of two gay dads and their newborn child that was labeled as such. The increased use of artificial intelligence for content moderation has led to biases in the depiction of queer people, with tools like Facebook’s OpenAI’s Sora displaying inaccuracies. Companies like Facebook have relied heavily on automated systems to review content, which could compromise the safety of LGBTQ+ users. The report recommends that platforms strengthen their policies to protect LGBTQ+ individuals, including stopping advertisers from targeting them and improving content moderation without excessive automation.
The report also notes that Republican legislators have amplified anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment on social media, leading to a direct connection between online hate speech and violent acts against the LGBTQ+ community. Individuals like Elon Musk have promoted anti-trans content, contributing to the spread of harmful stereotypes. The report highlights the need for tech companies to enforce existing policies to protect LGBTQ+ individuals and ensure a safer online environment. GLAAD criticizes social media companies for allowing harmful rhetoric to persist on their platforms, despite making billions in advertising profits. The report calls for stronger enforcement of policies to safeguard LGBTQ+ users and combat harmful misinformation and stereotypes.
The devastating impact of online hate speech on the LGBTQ+ community is evident in the rise of violent incidents targeting these individuals. GLAAD’s report underscores the urgency for social media companies to take meaningful action to protect LGBTQ+ users from harassment and discrimination. By actively enforcing policies to prevent the spread of harmful content and misinformation, platforms can create a safer online environment for all users. The report stresses the importance of addressing biases in AI systems used for content moderation and calls for greater accountability from tech companies in protecting marginalized communities. With stronger enforcement of policies and improved content moderation practices, social media platforms can help combat hate speech and ensure the safety of LGBTQ+ users online.
