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Social Media Index

ALERT DESK ZW: TRACKING LGBTQIA+ DIGITAL SECURITY

Who took part? (n = 101)

Most respondents are young LGBTQIA+ people who are active online,mainly aged 18–34.

Age snapshot (demographic %)

No Data Found

Identity snapshot

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender respondents make up most of the sample, alongside smaller groups including asexual, pansexual, genderfluid, GNC and MSM.

ALERT DESK ZW: TRACKING LGBTQIA+ DIGITAL SECURITY

WhatsApp

Score: 2.6 / 5

WhatsApp one of the leading social media platforms where people
stay connected daily-through private chats and group spaces. But
safety can still be broken through group dynamics, screenshots, outing,
and harassment.

How safe does it feel?

No Data Found

Safety Tip:

Tighten group privacy — control who can add you and limit who can see your
profile photo/status.

ALERT DESK ZW: TRACKING LGBTQIA+ DIGITAL SECURITY

Facebook

Score: 1.8 / 5

Facebook is highly public-facing. Posts, comments, and shares can
travel beyond your chosen circle. For queer users, visibility without
protection can increase exposure to hate speech, harassment, and
targeting. Here, local language slurs are very common

How safe does it feel?

No Data Found

Safety Tip:

Lock down your audience, limit who can comment/message and review tags before they appear on your profile.

ALERT DESK ZW: TRACKING LGBTQIA+ DIGITAL SECURITY

Instagram

Score: 2.5/ 5

Instagram can feel softer, but harm still happens in comments, DMs,
and when content gets reshared beyond your control. “In-between”
safety still means risk is present.

How safe does it feel?

No Data Found

Safety Tip:

Use comment filters + restrict direct messages DMs from strangers.

ALERT DESK ZW: TRACKING LGBTQIA+ DIGITAL SECURITY

X(Twitter)

Score: 2.2/ 5

X moves fast and content can become public discourse instantly.
Queer voices can find community but also face pile-ons, hate speech,
and targeted harassment. Just like Facebook, local language slurs are
a norm.

How safe does it feel?

No Data Found

Safety Tip:

Use comment filters + restrict direct messages DMs from strangers.

ALERT DESK ZW: TRACKING LGBTQIA+ DIGITAL SECURITY

Where the worst hurt happens ( summary)

Where the worst hurt happens (Severe abuse reports)
WhatsApp: 38%
Facebook: 23%
Instagram: 13%
X (Twitter): 9%
TikTok: 4%
Dating apps: 4%
Other: 9%

For many LGBTQIA+ Zimbabweans, the same apps that hold our
friendships, group chats, organizing, and everyday check-ins are also
where harm lands hardest. This isn’t happening “somewhere else”. It
literally shows up in the spaces we use to feel close, to be seen, and to
survive. When safety breaks in these familiar places, it doesn’t just hurt
online; it follows people into their bodies, their relationships, and their
daily choices.