India’s queer community blames Meta after youth commits suicide

Activists in the LBGTQIA community call on Meta, Instagram’s parent company, and other social media platforms to better protect sexual minority groups online. Meta, in particular, faced an onslaught of complaints after 16-year-old Yadav, who posted selfies of himself in traditional female garb on Instagram, committed suicide. According to the ‘Yes, We Exist’ advocacy group, the youth, like many in the community, was the subject of an onslaught of hate speech online. What is unique in this case is that until now, the impact of cyberbullying has only resulted in self-censorship, self-harm, and related mental health trauma. 

Many claim that at the heart of the problem is Meta’s lapse approach to enforcing existing moderation policies, the police’s silence on the issue, and India’s archaic laws. The situation grows dire as cyberstalking and cyberbullying increase by 25% in 2022 when compared with the previous year. Online abetment of suicide also increased by a near 150% that year. 

Yadav’s experience is, however, reminiscent of what the LBGTQIA community has faced offline for decades, say advocates. Several other youths in India have since come out to share similar stories online.

As a solution, activists are calling on these platforms to install a safe mode, to increase reporting, and to employ reviewers who understand the local context and languages.

What does it matter?

In a general sense, the call for stricter measures in protecting the freedom of expression online pushes the envelope on the ongoing cry for social media content moderation reform. Specific to the LBGTQIA community in India, however, it is a matter of rights and death, particularly for children and youths.