Why Reddit Is Losing Its Battle with Online Hate

#socialmedia

Over the past several years, Reddit has moved to ban toxic, racist boards like r/EuropeanNationalism and r/MillionDollarExtreme, while allowing other communities, like r/CringeAnarchy and the r/The Donald, to stay online even as their users posted racist comments in the wake of mass shootings and defended such violence.

And according to the authors of a June academic paper on the company’s moderation practices, unless Reddit makes significant changes to how it enforces its policies, the company will always be at least one step behind in its battle against hateful content.

Reddit has grappled with the challenge of moderating hate speech and harmful content on its platform. With over 330 million users, Reddit hosts a diverse range of communities, from harmless hobbyists to far-right groups.

While the company has banned some toxic subreddits, others have remained active despite promoting hate and violence.

Researchers have found that Reddit’s moderation practices often lag behind, allowing hateful communities to persist. Predictive models can anticipate which subreddits may turn toxic, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

When one subreddit is banned, users often migrate to similar communities, perpetuating harmful behavior1. It’s a complex battle, and Reddit continues to evolve its policies to address hate speech and maintain a healthier online environment.