How to Report Harassment on Reddit

Published October 30, 20264 min readBy the RedditPostRemove team

Being harassed online is exhausting. It can start with a few rude replies and grow into repeated attacks, private messages, threats or a coordinated pile-on. This guide explains how to report harassment on Reddit step by step, and how to look after yourself.

What counts as harassment?

Reddit's rules describe harassment as targeted behavior meant to abuse, bully or intimidate. Typical examples include:

• Repeated, targeted insults or attacks on one person.
• Threats of violence or encouragement of harm.
• Following someone across communities to attack them.
• Publishing personal information, sometimes called doxxing.
• Organizing others to target an individual.
• Unwanted, repeated private messages after being asked to stop.

Not everything unpleasant is harassment. Strong disagreement, criticism of public conduct and a single rude comment usually do not meet the standard. Reporting accurately makes your reports more credible.

Step 1: make sure you are safe

If a message contains a credible threat or reveals where you live and you feel unsafe, contact local emergency services. Tell a trusted person. Online reporting can wait for a few minutes while you secure your safety.

Step 2: document everything

Do this before you report or block, because harassers often delete their content when they sense that action is coming.

• Screenshot posts, comments and messages, showing usernames and dates.
• Copy links to each item and to the user's profile.
• Keep a simple log with date, place and what happened.
• Save any earlier relevant conversation.
• Store copies in a safe place, not only on Reddit.

Step 3: report the content

Use the Report option on the post, comment or message and choose the category closest to the behavior, for example harassment or threatening violence. Add a short explanation that points to the pattern, for example: "This user has sent five messages after I asked them to stop, and has posted my workplace." Reddit's reporting forms also let you report a user account and private messages.

Step 4: tell the moderators

If the harassment happens in a community, message the moderators with the links. Many communities have rules against it and can remove content and ban users quickly. They can also see community-specific context.

Step 5: block and tighten privacy

Blocking an account prevents it from messaging you and hides its content from you. Review your profile for details you do not need public: remove personal information, limit who can see your history where possible and avoid linking to other accounts.

Step 6: protect your other accounts

• Change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication.
• Check which accounts use the same email or phone number.
• Be careful with unexpected links or messages. Harassers sometimes send phishing links.

Step 7: involve other authorities if needed

Threats, stalking and repeated targeted abuse can be crimes. Local law enforcement can advise on reports. If personal information is leaked, see What to do if your personal information appears on Reddit.

What not to do

• Do not retaliate. It can give the harasser material and can break the rules.
• Do not post their personal information.
• Do not mass-report with friends. Coordinated reporting is a problem in itself.
• Do not delete your evidence.
• Do not feel that you caused it. Responsibility lies with the person who harasses.

Looking after yourself

Harassment affects people. Take breaks from the platform, ask a friend to monitor for you and talk to someone you trust. If you feel overwhelmed, a doctor or counsellor can help. Your wellbeing matters more than any thread.

Follow-up and patience

Reddit does not publish a timetable for reviewing reports, and we cannot promise one. If nothing happens after a reasonable time, you can send one clear follow-up with the original links. Avoid repeated duplicates.

How we can help

Our Reddit comment removal and Reddit thread removal services review the content, organize your evidence and contact moderators on your behalf. We cannot guarantee removal and we are not a law enforcement body, but we can help you present your case clearly. For reputation effects, read How Reddit discussions can affect an online reputation.

Frequently asked questions