After a successful launch of its first edition last year, Bumble, the women-first social networking app, returns with ‘Stand for Safety.’ The campaign is part of the app’s ongoing global effort to contribute to the creation of a safer, kinder, and more respectful internet.
In response to growing concerns about digital safety in India, Bumble is partnering with the Centre for Social Research (CSR), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a violence-free, gender-just society in India, this year to release a one-of-a-kind safety handbook to help drive awareness about digital safety and empower its community to recognize and combat online hate, bullying, and discrimination.
The handbook, developed in collaboration with Nyaaya, an independent open-access digital resource, provides simple, actionable information to educate people about their legal rights and how to assert them when confronted with online hate and discrimination.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Centre for Social Research and Nyaaya to create this one-of-a-kind safety handbook to support and equip our community to recognize and combat online abuse, discrimination, and harassment,” says Mahima Kaul, Head of Public Policy APAC at Bumble. Bumble is founded on the core values of kindness, respect, inclusivity, and equality, and safety has been central to the company’s mission since its inception. Our ‘Stand for Safety’ campaign demonstrates our deeper commitment to fostering a world in which all relationships are healthy and equitable.”
A recent nationwide study conducted by Bumble revealed how online harassment affects people across the country. Among the most notable findings are:
• One in every two people (50 percent) has come across hateful content online*, and one in every four women has witnessed negative comments about their physical appearance and abuse against women at least once a week.
• 40% of those polled have experienced online hate speech and bullying as a result of discrimination against a specific group or community or their physical appearance.
• More than half (52%) of those polled reported feeling angry after encountering online hate and bullying.
• 48% of people say dealing with online hate and bullying has made them less trusting of others. Women constituted more than half of those polled.
Given India’s socio-cultural and multilingual diversity, Bumble will work to update its guidelines by adding more stop words in multiple Indian regional languages, as part of its commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive online space.
Bumble also provides a comprehensive set of product features with a focus on safety. Users can block and report anyone who violates our Community Guidelines by using the app. Within the app designed to help our community have a safe and healthy dating experience, people can easily access the Safety + Wellbeing Centre resource hub.
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