Meghan Markle's Treatment Is Evidence That Social Media Is "Safer for Abusers Than for Women," Says Digital Hate Expert
If you're a woman on social media, you already know.


It's impossible to ignore the hate that Meghan Markle receives online, any time she does anything. To be honest, she doesn't even have to do anything at all: Just a mention of her name inspires people to call her cruel, wordplay-based nicknames to make sure we all know how much they hate her.
If you don't believe me, perhaps you'll believe the data. In October 2021, Twitter's analytics service Bot Sentinel uncovered a coordinated trolling campaign against the Duchess of Sussex, with 70% of hateful comments stemming from just 83 accounts.
At the time, Bot Sentinel CEO Christopher Bouzy said, "This campaign comes from people who know how to manipulate the algorithms, manipulate Twitter, stay under the wire to avoid detection and suspension. This level of complexity comes from people who know how to do this stuff, who are paid to do this stuff."
And Bouzy isn't the only expert who can attest to just how abusive social media is toward not only the duchess, but toward women in general—with Markle being a prime example of how safe people feel to be horrible to others online.
"Our research has proved that virtually all women with a public profile on social media receive a stream of abuse and harassment, and platforms are systematically failing to act on the problem," Imran Ahmed, the CEO of The Center for Countering Digital Hate, told the Guardian.
"Meghan Markle is another example of a high-profile woman targeted with racist abuse, misogynist attacks and conspiracy theories on social media platforms. The truth is that platforms are safer for abusers than the women users, and that has to change."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
The Royal Family Easter Rule Kate Middleton Broke in 2018
The Princess of Wales was pregnant with her third child—Prince Louis—at the time.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Tracee Ellis Ross Reflects on "Grief" Over Not Marrying or Having Kids
"I grieve the things that I thought would be and that are not."
By Amy Mackelden
-
A "No-Fly Zone" Has Been Placed Over King Charles's Home
"It prompted a security scare."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Princess Diana's Close Friend Reveals What She Likely Would Have Thought About Meghan Markle
Richard Kay shared insights on the late royal and what her relationship with Prince Harry's wife could've been like.
By Kristin Contino
-
This Royal Couple Has the Most Pinned Celebrity Wedding of All Time—And a Surprising Royal Wedding Didn't Even Make The List
A new study found this ceremony gave Pinterest users the most inspiration.
By Kristin Contino
-
We Taste-Tested Meghan Markle’s As Ever Jam, Honey and Flower Sprinkles—One Word Kept Coming Up
Women across America gave 'Marie Claire' their thoughts on the Duchess of Sussex's first seasonal drop of products.
By Kristin Contino
-
The Special Gift Princess Lilibet Received From "Papa" Prince Harry in Meghan Markle's Latest Instagram Post
"Made with love."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Meghan Markle Shares Her Thoughts on Trump's Tariffs as She Launches As Ever
The Duchess of Sussex opened up about how her new business could be impacted in a new interview with 'Fortune.'
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle Reveals "Scary" Post-Birth Health Battle in First Episode of New Podcast
"I mean life or death, truly."
By Kristin Contino
-
Meghan Markle's Cozy and Affordable Gap Cable-Knit Sweater Set Is, Unsurprisingly, Selling Out Fast
The Duchess of Sussex danced around the kitchen with her dogs while making banana pudding.
By Amy Mackelden
-
The Royal Family Has Seen an 11% Rise in Stalkers Over the Past 3 Years With Nearly 500 Targets Identified
"The difficult task is identifying those with the means and determination to act."
By Kristin Contino