Thread by @emynash

👋 I've been busy doing work work so far today but wanted to say that the overwhelming response to #HelloToKindness has been fantastic. There is a real appetite for a change in the way we speak to each other online and it's resonating with readers all over the world.

Not all of it has been positive, of course, but then the point of a discussion is to hear everyone's views. I thought I would explain a bit more about why we at @hellomag are specifically looking at social media and they way our users interact.

The idea came about after we noticed the atmosphere on our platforms was becoming toxic. If you're not familiar with @hellomag's approach, we pride ourselves on being a positive space for people to enjoy reading about the people who interest them. We don’t do shaming or shade.

In surveys, our readers were telling us how acutely aware they are of mental health and self-esteem issues and how they valued our positive coverage as a result. We feel a responsibility to those readers to maintain a safe, friendly platform for them to continue to connect.

I then discovered that Kensington Palace were experiencing similar problems. As @RoyalReporter has explained in some tweets today, they couldn't just turn off comments on a public institution, nor could they censor people's negative comments in general. But they had to tackle...

the more extreme and abusive comments - those crossing a line into racist, sexist or threatening language. As with our channels, the vast majority of users engage positively. The ones that don't, we call trolls. There is a clear difference.

KP has been moderating comments for a long time, but with an Instagram following now over 7.1million, that takes a lot of hours. As I said above, they can't just delete something because it's mildly critical, it has to cross a line.

.@valentinelow at @thetimes wrote a good explainer on the issue and how Kensington Palace is working with Instagram to tackle it here: thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/k…

.@royalreporter also outlined it in tweets, which I liked, because they are accurate reports of the situation as briefed by the Palace. I have been called a racist today for agreeing with him on that. Liking a tweet does not mean you agree with everything that person says, btw.

I'm old enough and ugly enough to take criticism, but I'm hearing that #hellotokindness is dishonest or blaming others for the media's ills. I feel it's a real shame that a simple message about being thoughtful in the way we connect with each other has sparked more vitriol.

I've been told I should call out sections of the media for fuelling the trolling. That is a BIG job. I have small children and a full-time job writing thousands of words each week for the magazine. Forgive me, but I can only take on one battle at a time.

I've also been told #HelloToKindness should start at home. It did. In response to the negative impact trolling on our platforms is having on us all - not just on the Duchesses. I've said in interviews this week that I feel sections of the media need to raise their game, FWIW.

Someone else said I should be berating other journalists. I disagree.
As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I'm keenly aware of how much this kind of dialogue can affect people. One response might be to put my head in the sand and shut down my social accounts.

BUT
a) It's part of my job to be on here as a Royal Editor and writer, plus a lot of you seem to kind of enjoy the videos, coverage etc.
b) I don't want to be bullied into leaving what can be a fun, informative and inspiring world.

Instead, with the help of my colleagues at @hellomag, we have decided to try and create a ripple from our small spot in a big pool, with our readers in mind. We want to lead by example. We should ALL take responsibility for the way we write about, and to, others.

We won't always get it right. We're human, after all. But it's worth noting that there has also been a huge amount of positive coverage of Meghan over here. Did I mention @hellomag?! Go on, say #HelloToKindness. It won't cost you anything and it might make you feel better...