Police sound alarm on toxic social media content

The Fiji Police Force has expressed deep concern over the misuse of social media, warning that hateful content and negative posts are having serious implications on society.

“While those who use the platforms in a positive manner and for its intended purpose outnumber those who are using it in a negative way, the implications the negative posts are having on our society cannot be ignored,” Police said in a statement.

Authorities confirmed that calls to hold individuals accountable for inappropriate online content are “taken on board and being looked into.”

Police has urged Fijians to rethink their support for content creators who spread harmful material, noting that many were motivated by financial gain.

“It has also been noted that there is a rise in hateful comments against certain individuals where one’s ethnicity, religion or status is often subject of intolerable exchanges, and we reiterate the call for social media users to exercise restraint in the use of the available platforms,” the statement said.

Police stressed that Fiji “prides itself in being the way the world should be” and called for “an urgent change of mindset and online behaviour” reflective of the respect people show in person.

They also urged users to consider the “psychological and social impacts their posts will have on their loved ones, family name, vanua, communities and our nation,” warning that online harm is often irrevocable.

The force encouraged members of the public to lodge official reports of offensive content to enable investigations and secure prosecutions, saying this would serve as “a strong and effective deterrent.”