A range of content from words, pictures, videos may be abusive, offensive and / or threatening, encouraging abuse, glorify violence or stirring up hatred because of a person' race and / or religion. Some perpetrators will try to evade automated hate speech detection systems by using the N-Tower technique to spell out a racial slur such as Ni**er or P*ki by placing the letters vertically across several posts. It is important to report these.

• Take a screenshot of the content that you are concerned about and retain as evidence as you may need it depending on the nature of the content and the course of action you plan to take.
• To report any social media post or a comment made under such a post, depending on the social media platform - look for three dots on the rights and click and select 'report post' or click on comment and hold down until options appear and then select 'report.'
• When reporting you will usually have to select a category to help the providers better understand the nature of the concern.
• If the post is a comment under an article on a website, then you should make a complaint to the website administrator.
• On X you can also use the 'Community Notes' to challenge misinformation

If the Online platform refuses to take down your content after you reported it, then you could escalate the situation and report it to OFCOM who are enforcing compliance with the Online Safety Act and you can make a complaint https://www.ofcom.org.uk/make-a-complaint

If you believe the online content is a criminal offence (check section), then you should report this to the police along with any evidence, which can also be done online through the True Vision website: https://www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force

If you believe a social post is offensive or threatening, you could also consider reporting the incident to the perpetrators employer, as they will likely have a social media policy stating a person should not being the company into disrepute. Check their biography on their profile, look at their content posted for clues - you could also try searching for them on other social media platforms such as Linked in and checking employment details.

You should report any unethical conduct of a councillor, MP or peer to the relevant political party through its complaint process which can be found on the relevant political party website.

Local councillors can also be reported to the local council through their relevant complaint procedures. If you are dissatisfied with the council's handling of your complaint, you can escalate it to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman within 12 month.

For MPs (or peers) an allegation must be made in writing to the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards via either in hard copy sent through the post or by email. Further guidance can be found click here.

The person making the allegation must provide:

• their full name and postal address. If the Commissioner opens an investigation, they will share with the MP only the name of the person making the allegation (and not the Address details. The name of a complainant who is a member of the public will normally be redacted from any eventual publication.
• a clear explanation detailing how they think the Member has breached one of the rules of conduct or rules relating to upholding the Code listed in sections D and E of the Code).
• any evidence available to support their allegation. It is not sufficient to make an allegation and expect the Commissioner to look for supporting evidence.

As a basic courtesy any Member of the House (or a Member of the House of Lords) making an allegation about another Member to the Commissioner must, at the same time, send a copy of their allegation to the Member concerned.

The information should be sent to:
Email: standardscommissioner@parliament.uk

Postal Address:
Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

Telephone number: 020 7219 3738