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Dearest ARMY, we see that report accounts have come up as a topic of discussion today. We thought we would take some time to discuss them: what are they & why are many, so concerning? We hope you find this information useful in determining who you follow & what you believe.
These accounts exist to take down problematic content ("report" it down to "protect" hence the name). Some are focused on one member. Others are group based. Still others deal with specific types of hate/content. Some are legitimate, others are not.
How to tell the difference?
How to tell the difference?
The first thing to be aware of: many are run by OT1 or OT2 individuals.
They have a vested interest in promoting specific narratives (victimizing a member feeds into standard solo rhetoric: "no one loves him like we do" "no one can protect him like we can").
They have a vested interest in promoting specific narratives (victimizing a member feeds into standard solo rhetoric: "no one loves him like we do" "no one can protect him like we can").
Report accounts create echo chambers (spaces where beliefs are reinforced because they only hear & see the same thing). This leads to confirmation bias: once they have an echo chamber created, they can present information that will be interpreted in one specific way.
Example: One member doesn't have a quote.
A report account echo chamber: His reply was cut, they didn't give him a chance to speak, he was edited out because they hate him.
Reality: Perhaps he simply didn't reply, didn't wish to reply, or requested his statements be edited out.
A report account echo chamber: His reply was cut, they didn't give him a chance to speak, he was edited out because they hate him.
Reality: Perhaps he simply didn't reply, didn't wish to reply, or requested his statements be edited out.
With these echo chambers they can present situations as "problems" that may not inherently be problematic or require attention. However, because there is this culture of victimization & persecution, things that aren't a problem become imagined slights.
This leads to another key issue:
Report accounts are key figures in fandom harassment.
They interpret something as a problem and introduce it to their followers. Their followers blindly agree (echo chamber) & target the problem.
This leads to innocent accounts being harassed.
Report accounts are key figures in fandom harassment. They interpret something as a problem and introduce it to their followers. Their followers blindly agree (echo chamber) & target the problem.
This leads to innocent accounts being harassed.
Solos behind report accounts can use solo narratives to justify something as a problem and then incite their followers to target an account that doesn't align with their beliefs or threatens them: for example, when report accounts target translators.
It is worth noting: Not all report accounts are solos.
Even if a report account isn't run by a solo they still attract them (echo chamber).
Solos want to exist in a climate where their chosen member(s) are victims and require protection. Report accounts feed into this.
Even if a report account isn't run by a solo they still attract them (echo chamber). Solos want to exist in a climate where their chosen member(s) are victims and require protection. Report accounts feed into this.
It is true that there is content that warrants reporting and organization helps in taking it down. However, please be aware:
Report accounts often amplify and increase visibility of content, attacks, or situations that are better served being addressed in silence.
Report accounts often amplify and increase visibility of content, attacks, or situations that are better served being addressed in silence.
The more engagements a tweet/account has, the harder it is to take down. ARMY habitually forget this & when shown problematic content, engage (arguing, even remarking "this is vile" "take it down"). This makes removal harder. It also increases outside awareness.
Increasing visibility of content allows outside awareness of it: in extreme situations (which unfortunately aren't common, given ARMY's size) this is how hashtags or key phrases trend, "twitter summaries" get written, other fandoms pick up on it & in extreme instances, media.
One ARMY alternative to report accounts is creating a trusted network of individuals you share information in. Group chats or know accounts you can send things to, with appropriate guidance for how to effectively report it.
We hope ARMY asks themselves, always, when a report account is sending out a call to action:
Are they protecting a PERSON or are they protecting an IMAGE
Is it something that causes harm? Or is it something that doesn't align with their narrative and they don't like it?
Are they protecting a PERSON or are they protecting an IMAGEIs it something that causes harm? Or is it something that doesn't align with their narrative and they don't like it?
Antis and akgaes exist. The internet is full of abusive content that should be taken down. However, accounts should not masquerade as "protection" to incite harassment, propel solo narratives, and attack others who don't enable them to perpetuate their chosen beliefs.
"How can I tell a legitimate one from a bad one?"
Look at who they follow. Is it all other solo member bases? Probably a solo.
Look at the causes they take on: are they actual problems that cause harm?
Look at the action they inspire. Do their followers fall to harassment?
Look at who they follow. Is it all other solo member bases? Probably a solo.Look at the causes they take on: are they actual problems that cause harm?Look at the action they inspire. Do their followers fall to harassment?
Look at their recommendations: are they advocating meaningful & effective problem/conflict management, or is it ineffectual template warrior suggestions, justice-for-hashtags, or spamming an individual?
When accounts use protection to defend a desired image of (a) member/s, they aren't protecting the individual, they're protecting their picture of them. This becomes clear when they are silent on issues that members themselves have spoken about as being hurtful & harmful to them.
We hope this helps ARMY in navigating the twitter environment. If nothing else, we hope this has given you something to consider going forward.
