Erin Molan: Heads in the sand at Twitter HQ over trolls’ secret identities

Social media giants have their heads in the sand if they believe Australians will tolerate platforms of toxicity – and they must clean up their acts, writes Erin Molan.

On Tuesday, I spoke at the Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Media and ­Online Safety. I’ve made no secret of the fact I think this is one of the biggest issues facing this country and the world.

It wasn’t too long ago that the idea of cleaning up the online space was scoffed at. The perception was that it’s an issue of little importance, an infringement on free speech and just a matter that ‘celebrities’ harped on about because they couldn’t cop flak – and wanted to be liked by everyone.

There’s been a shift and I’m not just talking about government getting on board with the Online Safety Act that comes into play next week.

I’m talking about everyday Australians, many of whom have never touched social media in their lives and who now understand the importance of this legislation and why it will save lives. 

Media personality Erin Molan feared for her and her daughter's safety after being threatened by anonymous trolls on social media. Picture: Toby Zerna

Whenever I used to get ­approached out and about (it used to be in pubs, now, with a three-year-old, it’s more commonly in chemists and toy shops), the main thing ­people would talk to me about was rugby league.

Can the Raiders win? (Yes). Is Peter Sterling as good looking in real life? (Also yes).

Now, though, the majority of ­people who say hello follow it up with a chat about social media and online safety – and I promise I’m not making that up. Grandparents, teachers, kids – they all have a story and they all want it to be a safer space.

Molan shared her harrowing experiences with a parliamentary inquiry, backing the new Online Safety Act.

Twitter came out swinging in a written submission to the inquiry, accusing the government of being focused on headlines and arguing that being anonymous allows its users to ‘express themselves freely and safely’.

They also claim there is a ‘common misconception’ that trust began with knowing who a person really was.

For starters, I’d say the following things to those at Twitter, with ­respect (a virtue not often utilised by those on your platform) – you are ­absolutely kidding yourselves.

Erin Molan is backing laws which would force social media companies like Twitter to reveal the identities of trolls.

Surely the rights of every user to be ‘free and safe’ from vile threats and abuse is more important?

No one is arguing that every registered ‘tweeter’ needs to be identified by their full name and address ­publicly — they can be known as ­TigerBalm123 if they like — and if they aren’t threatening or abusing anyone then their identity remains anonymous.

When they choose to cross a line, or break a law, that’s when they lose their right to hide behind a keyboard. If they aren’t doing anything wrong then what are they afraid of?

Your users can spout a million different opinions, they can be critical and disagree and debate, they can even be mean, but what they should never be able to do is threaten, ­intimidate and bully.

Trust me. Google any definition in any dictionary you like and I can ­assure you the words ‘anonymous, stranger, unknown identity’ don’t ­feature at all. Twitter isn’t there either by the way.

Some might argue the basis of trusting a human being – before anything else – is to actually know who they are. How do you even begin to trust someone when you don’t?

I’m not saying it’s the only thing that matters. There are also people I know very well who I don’t trust but to make that assessment of them and reach that position, I need to initially know who they are.

Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey presided over many high-profile suspensions, but cyber-bullying remains rife on the platform. Picture: AFP

As for the headlines. The reason this issue generates so many headlines is because people rightly care – that’s it.

I genuinely believe social media companies are not evil, nor do I believe there is necessarily malice in the way they operate. They are businesses with a bottom line, like all others.

What has separated them from the pack, until now, is a lack of regulation. Laws exist to protect people and punish perpetrators. Society doesn’t work without them. The online space cannot operate in any other way. It needs to be regulated.

I’d love all the big platforms to take it upon themselves to clean up their spaces, to ensure it’s a safe environment for every user and that should be a bare minimum standard.

There’s plenty of good online, so many positives when it comes to ­social media, but right now the negatives outweigh them all. You could argue it would make even better business sense for them all to do the right thing. There’s only so long Australians, and indeed human beings, will tolerate such toxicity.

Social media owners should not take for granted the fact we will all stay.

Alternatives are coming – and no, I’m not suggesting there will be a mass exodus to Donald Trump’s new project – but there will be more choice.

The established platforms have a real opportunity here to lead, with or without government intervention.

They won’t have a choice soon, in this country at least. Australia’s world first legislation will ensure that but wouldn’t it be nice if they started to care just a little bit more about their users than their bottom line.