Digital Platform Self-Defence
Social media is a weapon pointed at your community. Learn to use it without getting destroyed by it.
Pressure addressed: psychological, cultural
Time: Can start implementing immediately
People: Community members using digital platforms
Resources: Training time, awareness
About this tool
Social media promised connection. It delivered harassment, misinformation, and algorithmic amplification of your worst moments. The platforms weren't built for you, they were built to extract engagement, and conflict engages. Digital platform self-defence means learning to use these tools without being destroyed by them.
How to do it
Assess digital risks
How is your community targeted online? What platforms are most dangerous? Where do attacks originate?
Train on privacy settings
Most platforms have privacy controls. Most people don't use them effectively. Training on actual settings.
Develop response protocols
When attacks come, what's the response? Who responds? When to engage vs. ignore vs. report?
Protect vulnerable members
Young people. People in public-facing roles. Those already targeted. Extra support for those most at risk.
Build community resilience
Support each other through attacks. Don't let them pick off individuals. Collective response to collective targeting.
Before you start
- Digital platform knowledge
- Training capacity
Implementation guidance
Starting point
- Community-wide digital literacy training
- Clear response protocols for online attacks
- Privacy settings optimised across community
- Support system for those under attack
- Young people specifically trained and protected
- Reduced impact of online harassment documented
Building on it
- Core group trained on digital safety
- Basic response protocols
- Awareness of main risks
Advanced practice
- No digital literacy despite online presence
- Responses that amplify attacks
- Young people unprotected in hostile digital environments
Online presence without digital literacy makes you easy targets. Wrong responses to attacks, feeding trolls, getting drawn into arguments, amplify harassment. Young people without digital protection are vulnerable to radicalisation, harassment, and lasting harm.
Examples
Various targeted communities
Digital literacy and protection programmes
Reduced impact of online harassment, better community protection