LGBTQ+ youth organisation Belong To has launched the 2025 edition of its powerful ‘It’s Our Social Media’ campaign, calling on the Irish government and the European Union to hold social media companies accountable for the spread of online hate, misinformation, and disinformation.
The campaign argues that major tech platforms are failing to prioritise user safety, particularly for LGBTQ+ young people, and instead continue to place profits above wellbeing. Despite having the tools to make online spaces safer, Belong To says these companies are choosing not to act, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to harm.
At the heart of the campaign is a call for stronger enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act, with a specific focus on protecting minors. Belong To is also pushing for recommender systems and algorithms to be opt-in only, so that users can have more control over the content they engage with online.
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Alongside lobbying efforts with TDs, senators and MEPs, Belong To is encouraging the public to take action through its awareness message: Pause. Question. Confirm.
This simple three-step approach asks users to verify content before liking, sharing or commenting, helping to limit the spread of false or harmful information.
Belong To’s ‘It’s Our Social Media’ campaign also includes a social media movement to transform digital spaces into more positive, inclusive environments. Using the hashtags #FeedTheGood and #BlockTheBad, Belong To is calling on people to share joyful, affirming content and report abusive or hateful material whenever they encounter it.
“We all have a part to play in shaping the online world we want to live in,” Belong To CEO Moninne Griffith said. “But we also need real accountability from the companies that profit from these platforms. Regulation is no longer optional it’s essential.”
The organisation is urging supporters to sign its petition and join the campaign to demand legislative change. With online hate and misinformation continuing to impact the mental health and safety of LGBTQ+ youth, Belong To says it’s time for both tech companies and governments to step up.
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