Investigating Moderation Challenges to Combating Hate and Harassment: The Case of Mod-Admin Power Dynamics and Feature Misuse on Reddit

Website Maintenance Alert

Due to scheduled maintenance, the USENIX website may not be available on Monday, March 17, from 10:00 am–6:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7). We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

If you would like to register for NSDI '25, SREcon25 Americas, or PEPR '25, please complete your registration before or after this time period.

Authors: 

Madiha Tabassum, Northeastern University; Alana Mackey, Wellesley College; Ashley Schuett, George Washington University; Ada Lerner, Northeastern University

Abstract: 

Social media platforms often rely on volunteer moderators to combat hate and harassment and create safe online environments. In the face of challenges combating hate and harassment, moderators engage in mutual support with one another. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of 115 hate and harassment-related threads from r/ModSupport and r/modhelp, two major subreddit forums for this type of mutual support. We analyze the challenges moderators face; complex tradeoffs related to privacy, utility, and harassment; and major challenges in the relationship between moderators and platform admins. We also present the first systematization of how platform features (including especially security, privacy, and safety features) are misused for online abuse, and drawing on this systematization we articulate design themes for platforms that want to resist such misuse.

Open Access Media

USENIX is committed to Open Access to the research presented at our events. Papers and proceedings are freely available to everyone once the event begins. Any video, audio, and/or slides that are posted after the event are also free and open to everyone. Support USENIX and our commitment to Open Access.

BibTeX

Presentation Video