Social media platform not doing enough to protect disabled users from hate-filled trolls

Twitter is failing to protect disabled users against hate-filled language and abuse, a leading charity has warned.

The social media platform does not yet provide disabled users with an option to instantly flag disability hate speech and abuse in its drop-down reporting menu.

It claims that a warning contained within its terms of use provides sufficient deterrent against abusive tweets aimed at disabled people.

Muscular Dystrophy UK said the policy was dissuading disabled people from reporting abusive or offensive tweets.

In April 2017, Twitter pledged to look at new ways disabled users can report hate and abuse, but Muscular Dystrophy UK argues there is little or no sign of improvement.

Campaigns Manager Lauren West said: “Platforms like Twitter and Facebook should be a valuable tool for disabled people to take part in everyday conversations, but hate-filled language keeps many away.

“It has become so common that it barely raises an eyebrow and this situation has to change.

“Platforms like Twitter have to give us the tools we need to protect ourselves from hate speech and adding disability to its ‘report Tweet’ function is an easy starting point.”

Disability rights activist Linda Burnip, co-founded of the campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts, said: “The situation on Twitter reflects the attitude towards disabled abuse across society, where disability doesn’t seem to matter that much.”