How can we prevent online harassment and other unruly behavior on reddit?

Can norms against harassment change behavior and grow participation online?

We are still actively working with communities on this research project. If your subreddit wants to try something similar, please contact us.

Since 2016, CAT Lab (formerly CivilServant) has worked with communities on reddit to better understand the volunteer work of moderation and to test ideas for preventing harassment. 

• Research paper: Matias, J. N. (2019). Preventing Online Harassment and Increasing Group Participation Through Social Norms in 2,190 Science Discussions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, May 2019.
  • Pre-analysis plan
  • Community debriefing after PNAS publication (2019)
  • Community debriefing after initial results (2016)
• Community recruitment, March 2019: Reddit Mods: Let’s Test Ideas for Preventing Harassment and Fact-Checking the News