The most toxic platform. According to a survey conducted by Global Witness, a non -profit organization, Facebook is the most dangerous network in terms of online harassment for environmental activists.
More than 90% of the environmental defenders interviewed said they had abuse or cyberbullying linked to their work, between November and March 2025. But it is the goal platforms that are “the most toxic.” About 62% of the participants said they had abuse on Facebook, 36% in WhatsApp and 26% on Instagram.
Worse, the cyberbullying has concrete consequences. Three quarters of those questioned say that online abuses have led to prejudices in real life.
“I was threatened to be beaten and kill. I also received anonymous messages that said things like: ‘The next time I find myself on the way, I will defeat you with my car’,” said Jörg, a German activist quoted in the study.
“Higher” statistics of the expected
Particularly marked violence in women. According to the investigation, almost a quarter of Cyberharceled defenders say they have been attacked due to their gender.
“We have long known that the experience of climatic activists and the defenders of the online environment is quite frightening,” said Ava Lee, responsible for the campaign strategy on digital threats in Global Witness, in the US media. But “these statistics really marked me. They were much higher than expected.”
An observation confirmed by the group itself. Last May, Meta reported a “slight increase in the prevalence of intimidation and harassment content” on Facebook, as well as “a slight increase in the prevalence of violent and graphic content” during the first quarter of 2025.
And the situation will not handle, on the contrary. In April, the Mark Zuckerberg group officially ended its system to combat misinformation in the United States to replace it with a community notes system. For specialists, the end of verification of facts in the finish line could accentuate the return of false information on Facebook, or even cyberbullying. The boss also lightened the sanctions to certain comments. Therefore, it is possible to compare a woman with an object, or discriminate against minorities.
“We encourage users to use the tools available on our platforms to protect themselves against intimidation and harassment,” suggests Tracy Clayton, a spokesperson, with the media. The company recalls that directed people can use “hidden words”, a functionality that allows you to filter direct messages and offensive comments in publications.
Tools considered insufficient. Only 12% of the defenders who reported cases of cyber harassment to the platforms were satisfied with the response received.
Source: BFM TV
