Reddit Takes on Internet Bullies With New Tool
Reddit has made addressing online abuse a priority over the past year.
— -- Reddit is now making it easier for users to make their bullies disappear.
The free-wheeling online message board released a new blocking tool that allows users to mute posts from someone whose content they find objectionable. Similar to the mute function on Twitter, those users will not be aware someone has blocked them.
Reddit previously only allowed users to block someone from sending them unwanted private messages.
"Our changes to user blocking are intended to let you decide what your boundaries are, and to give you the option to choose what you want -- or don’t want -- to be exposed to. [And, of course, you can and should still always report harassment to our community team!]" Reddit founding engineer Christopher Stowe said in a post under his username "KeyserSosa."
Founded in 2005, Reddit has been everything from a conduit for intelligent conversation to a dumping ground for questionable content. When it comes to cracking down on users, Reddit has long been averse to rules, and instead, let its millions-strong community police the boards.
Reddit's leadership last year promised to play a more active role in cracking down on posts perceived to be personal attacks or harassment.
After a survey of more than 15,000 Reddit users, the leadership team said they found the "number one reason redditors do not recommend the site -- even though they use it themselves -- is because they want to avoid exposing friends to hate and offensive content."
