Social media has become an essential tool for users to connect and communicate with one another. When using social media, users can share and express themselves, share their public opinions, and connect with other users worldwide. However, despite these benefits, social media can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying, the spread of hatred, and online harassment. 

This has led to widespread concerns over social media's role in affecting mental health. That's why social media platforms need to work toward promoting a safe online environment. In this article, we will look at how they can do that.

Importance of Creating a Safe Online Space

A safe space is a digital environment where people can share their experiences without fear of harassment, judgment, and cyberbullying. The need for a safe space often responds to a toxic environment that isn't supportive. While there can be different types of spaces, they all have one common goal: Providing a welcoming and supportive environment. This is particularly true for minority groups that often experience exclusion and discrimination, such as transgender persons.

Social media environments are often filled with harassment and hate speech, making them toxic and unwelcoming for marginalized groups. A safe space can offer the much-needed refuge for those who need it. It can help them feel free to share their thoughts without getting harassed or judged. Unfortunately, not many social media platforms offer this healthy online environment.

Factors to Consider When Creating a Healthy Online Environment

Here are some factors to consider when promoting a safe online space:

Social Media Usage Habits

Several factors need to be considered when creating a healthy online environment. One of these is that social media users use social media differently. What some users may feel safe with may be toxic to other users. 

For instance, while LGBTQ groups may advocate for a safe online space, religious groups may find their content offensive. Therefore, social media platforms need to respect people's boundaries and enable them to see only posts they feel are safe.

Limitations of Different Social Media Groups

It is also important for different social media platforms to realize that no social media platform is perfect. No matter how safe they try to make it, there will always be the risk of cyberbullying on TikTok and other platforms. Social media platforms must work toward eradicating this risk and making their spaces safer for users.

A Responsibility For All

While social media platforms should play a major role in putting initiatives for a safe social media space, users also need to play their role rather than just relying on the platforms to protect them. That means they should be aware of their behaviors and ensure they do not contribute to a toxic environment. When they see something wrong, they should be ready to raise their voices against it. By collaborating with social media platforms, users can enhance online safety.

Tips to Create a Safe Online Social Media Environment

Here are steps that social media platforms can take to create a safe space for their users:

Moderate Offensive Content

This is the most obvious way for social media platforms to create a safe online space for users. Any offensive content should be removed as soon as possible before other social media users see it. However, one limitation of this method is that it often happens after users have already seen the content. Therefore, in this AI age, platforms should use the latest social media AI tools to ensure that offensive content is moderated before users can see it.

It is also essential to ensure that it is done without errors. A common complaint concerning social media platforms is that they often block non-offensive content simply because they use specific keywords to determine the content to block. Social media users should also be allowed to flag offensive content that violates community guidelines. 

Introduce Measures to Limit the Age

Age verification is another key measure that platforms can use to create a healthier online environment. For instance, platforms can require a selfie verification step to help prevent fake accounts. The app can then verify the information to ensure the person is the same as the profile. Age verification can also ensure that people on social media platforms can engage freely.

Have Penalties for Breaking the Rules

Social media platforms should have guidelines for dealing with users who break rules. This could be temporary or permanent suspension of people who make comments or content deemed humiliating, bullying, insulting, mean, profane, defaming, or filled with hate speech.  The platforms should also take stern action against comments or videos that are illegal, such as prostitution or drug use.

Once the guidelines are in place, these need to be strictly enforced. When doing so, platforms need to understand that this is likely to result in a pushback in the short term. Users will constantly complain of getting tired of their posts getting pulled down. Others will accuse them of being snowflakes over small issues such as cuss words. Overall, a safe space will benefit both the platform and the user better in the long run.

Final Thoughts

While social media has proven to be great for connecting or selling products on social media, it has also come with one challenge: cyberbullying. This is why platforms must implement steps to help keep the space safe for users. The good news is that content moderation can enable flagging toxic content and its removal before it spreads. By following the above steps, social media platforms can create a safe user environment. Check out whether TikTok is safe for children.