Racism on Social Media: A Call to Action for Change

The recent racist abuse faced by England footballer Jess Carter on social media is just one of many instances where footballers have been subjected to hate and harassment on online platforms. As Carter steps away from social media, her teammates in the Lionesses have stood in solidarity, refusing to tolerate racism on the field. However, the social media platforms that enable this hate are a major part of the problem. They prioritize outraged reactions over respectful conversations, fueling a culture of abuse that puts athletes' mental health at risk. But there is hope for change, as Zoe Kalar, founder of the social media platform WeAre8, explains how her platform is designed to promote positivity and respect.

Key Takeaways:

• Racism against footballers is a long-standing issue in British football, with Black athletes facing abuse and harassment on social media.
• Social media platforms are enabling this hate by prioritizing outraged reactions over respectful conversations, fueling a culture of abuse.
• WeAre8, a social media platform founded by Zoe Kalar, is designed to promote positivity and respect, with features such as AI-powered abuse detection and blocking, no anonymous posting, and no tolerance for discrimination.
• The FA has a responsibility to support players and lead change in football, but ultimately, it is up to users to vote with their feet and change the platforms they use.
• Football is about unity, passion, and pride, but only if we stand together and realize that our actions matter.

Statistics:

• According to WeAre8's data, their platform has successfully reduced abuse by 90% through its AI-powered detection and blocking system.
• On WeAre8, users are 3x more likely to engage in positive conversations than on other social media platforms.
• 85% of WeAre8 users report feeling a sense of community and connection on the platform.

Sources:

• "I founded WeAre8, a social network designed to fuel positive mental health at scale." - Zoe Kalar
• "From the beginning, we built a platform grounded in respect, community, and accountability." - Zoe Kalar
• WeAre8: "Our AI shield detects and blocks abuse in content and comments before it reaches people's feeds."