107 - Online Harassment Can Be Reported

“Racist abuse, threats, and impersonation online should not be ignored. Save screenshots, report harmful behavior, and seek support when needed.”

Opening up an app to check your notifications shouldn’t feel like bracing for impact. Unfortunately, for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) online, an ordinary scroll through social media can instantly be disrupted by targeted slurs, racist abuse, or malicious impersonation.

When digital hostility hits, it doesn’t just ruin your day; it attacks your sense of safety and belonging. Bigots and internet trolls frequently use overwhelming harassment tactics to intimidate people of color, hoping to push us out of digital conversations entirely. It is entirely valid to feel angry or exhausted by this behavior. However, leaving the internet shouldn’t be your only option. You have every right to take up space online, and you possess the power to push back against abusers by turning their hostility into an official record. Reporting harassment forces platforms to acknowledge the abuse and creates a tangible paper trail that protects your story.

Handling an influx of online hate doesn’t require you to confront the abusers directly. You can take control of the situation and protect your well-being with a few deliberate steps:

• Document before you block: Trolls often delete their tracks once they realize they've gone too far. Before hitting the block button, take clear screenshots of the abusive comments, direct messages, or the offender's profile page. Make sure the date, time, and exact username are fully visible.

• File an official platform report: Use the built-in reporting tools on apps like Instagram, X, or TikTok to flag the behavior under "Hate Speech" or "Harassment." Submit your screenshots as evidence if the form allows it.

• Lean on external advocates: If the platform ignores your report, you don't have to stop there. Organizations like Color Of Change or local civil rights groups often track digital discrimination and can provide resources or guidance on how to handle severe, ongoing targeting.

Your voice is valuable, and your digital peace of mind is worth defending. Keeping a clear record ensures you can protect your boundaries while standing firmly against hate.

What Now

If you are a member of the BIPOC community experiencing online hate, racist abuse, threats, or cyberstalking, use this actionable checklist to protect your well-being and build a secure record of the incident:

1. Document and Preserve Evidence Immediately: Before blocking the abuser or closing the app, capture clear screenshots of the comments, direct messages, and the harasser’s profile page. Ensure that unique identifiers like the account handle (@username), timestamps, and specific URLs are completely visible so the evidence cannot be erased or modified.

2. Harden Your Immediate Privacy Settings: Lock down your digital entry points to prevent ongoing or coordinated attacks. Switch your profiles to "Private," restrict direct messages and comment sections to "Friends Only," and utilize native platform filters to automatically hide specific slurs, hate speech, or offensive keywords.

3. Turn Off Location and Personal Identifiers: Review your active profiles and immediately remove any public posts, bio text, or images that reveal your real-world coordinates, such as your workplace, daily routines, neighborhood, or family members' accounts. Ensure device location services are turned off for your social applications.

4. Report the Abuse to Specialized Watchdogs: If the platform fails to take action against the harasser, escalate the issue to advocacy groups that track digital discrimination and support victims of hate crimes. You can document the incident and seek guidance through civil rights organizations like Color Of Change or the Anti-Violence Project.

5. Establish an Accountability and Support Circle: Do not carry the psychological weight of online hostility in isolation. Share the documented evidence with a trusted friend, family member, or community advocate, and establish a check-in routine so they can monitor your well-being and help secure your safety if the digital threats risk spilling into real-world spaces.

Local Resources

1. SW WA LULAC Council #47013

   • URL: lulacvancouver.org

   • Phone Number: (503) 388-5356

2. YWCA Clark County

   • URL: ywcaclarkcounty.org

   • Phone Number: (360) 695-0167

3. Columbia River Mental Health Services

   • URL: crmhs.org

   • Phone Number: (360) 993-3000