(Credit: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images)
We live in divisive times, which is why you should know how to protect yourself on social media. People use these platforms to freely express their ideas and opinions, including those that can be abusive, offensive, misleading, or just plain inaccurate. For those reasons, the major social networks all offer options for reporting individual posts and entire accounts.
Feel like a post was offensive or spammy? Suspect an account may actually be a bot? Reporting a single post may feel pointless, but if enough people report it for violating specific rules, certain social networks can label, fact check, or remove such posts. They may even ban the account for breaking the platform’s terms and conditions. Here’s how to report a post or account on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
How to Report Posts and Accounts on Facebook
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Facebook)You can report a specific post or comment on Facebook if you click the ellipsis icon next to it and select Report post. From there, you’ll be asked to specify your issue. You can choose from a number of reasons why you’re reporting the post, including Nudity, Harassment, False News, Spam, Hate Speech, and more.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Facebook)In some cases, Facebook may ask you to narrow down the specific issue. For example, choosing Violence prompts you for the specific type of violence. Choosing Harassment asks you whether you or a friend is being harassed. Choosing Hate Speech will ask if the issue is based on race or ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, or another reason.
If you choose Something Else, you'll see further selections, such as Fraud or Scam, Bullying, Hate Speech, Sexual Exploitation, or Sharing Private Images. Select the specific reason and click Next. Depending on whether the account is a Facebook friend or a public page, you can now opt to block or unfollow the person's account, or simply hide all their posts going forward.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Facebook)You can report an entire account as well. To report a public page or group, click the ellipsis icon next to the Share icon and select Report Group. At the next window, choose the specific reason for reporting the page, such as Hate Speech, Nudity or Sexual Content, Harassment, Scams and Fake Pages, and more, then click Next. Follow the steps to compile your report, then send it.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Facebook)If you’re reporting a private account, the process is the same but the options will differ slightly. Click the ellipsis icon next to the Message icon and select Find Support or Report Profile.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Facebook)At the next window, select the reason for reporting the profile, such as Pretending to Be Someone Else, Fake Account, Fake Name, Posting Inappropriate Things, or something else. Click Next to continue the process, then click Done.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Facebook)How to Report Posts and Accounts on X (Twitter)
(Credit: Lance Whitney / X)To report a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, click the down arrow next to the tweet and select Report Post. This process works the same on mobile and on the web.
At the Gathering info window, choose the specific problem. You can select from a variety of options, such as hate, abuse and harassment, violent speech, child safety, privacy, spam, suicide or self-harm, sensitive or disturbing media, deceptive identities, or violent and hateful entities. Click Next.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / X)Depending on which reason you choose, another screen may pop up with additional options to specify your complaint. Select the option that’s most on target. When finished, click Done.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / X)You can also report an entire account on Twitter. Click the ellipsis icon near the account's user profile and select the Report option. You can then select the reason for reporting the account and offer more context for the issue.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / X)Depending on what you select, X may take you to additional pages of options to narrow things down. When finished, click Submit. At the final window, click Done. You should be notified about the fate of the reported account in a few days.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / X)Report Abuse on Instagram
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Instagram)You can report an Instagram post, story, or account through the app or on the web. View the item you wish to report, then open the ellipsis menu and select Report. At the next window, select the reason for reporting the post, such as spam, hate speech or symbols, false information, bullying or harassment, scam or fraud, intellectual property violation, eating disorders, drugs, and more.
Depending on the option you choose for reporting the post, the next screen may ask for additional details. For example, if you report false information, you’ll be asked if the post deals with health, politics, a social issue, or something else. If you report nudity or sexual activity, Instagram will ask if you're reporting nudity or pornography, sexual exploitation or solicitation, sharing privacy images, or something involving a child. At the final screen, you can then opt to block the account.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Instagram)