Dear Friend, 

Social media plays a big part in many of our lives, and it’s where so much of public discourse now takes place. Many writers, journalists, and other creative and media professionals increasingly rely on social media to conduct, publish, and promote their work, and to make their voices heard. But to be on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can mean facing near-constant attacks—including violent threats, hateful slurs, and sexual harassment—from abusive trolls of every stripe. And the most targeted by far are those who identify as women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or as members of religious or ethnic minorities.

It doesn’t have to be this way. 

Social media companies have the power and resources to implement solutions. It’s high time that they step up. PEN America’s new report, No Excuse for Abuse: What Social Media Companies Can Do Now to Combat Online Harassment and Empower Users, proposes concrete, actionable changes that social media companies should make immediately to the design of their platforms to better protect and support their users—while safeguarding free expression.

Storytellers and truth tellers shouldn’t have to fear for their safety and the safety of their families in order to use the very social media platforms on which they rely for their livelihoods. They shouldn’t have to worry that they’re opening the floodgates to abuse simply by doing their jobs. In this report, we argue that these platforms can take steps now to proactively reduce risk and exposure, empower targeted users and their allies, and raise the costs for abusers. If technology companies are serious about combating online abuse, they must design and build their products with and for users disproportionately targeted for their identity and profession; by doing so, they can better protect and empower all their users. 

Online abuse is intended to intimidate and censor. When voices are silenced and expression is chilled, public discourse suffers. We need change now. 

We hope you’ll read the report, share our findings with your communities, and join us in calling for a safer, more inclusive, and more equitable internet free from abuse and harassment.

Sincerely,

 
 Viktorya Vilk
 Program Director, Digital Safety and Free Expression
 PEN America

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