JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Safety issues for researchers conducting and disseminating research on social media have been inadequately addressed in institutional policies globally, despite posing significant challenges for research staff and student wellbeing. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, and given the myriad advantages web-based platforms offer researchers over traditional recruitment, data collection and dissemination methods, developing a comprehensive understanding of and guidance regarding the safe and effective conduct of research in online spaces has never been more critical. In this paper we share our experience of using Facebook to recruit participants for a study on abortion stigma in Australia. Our study went viral, an experience which brought into sharp focus the personal, professional and institutional risks associated with conducting online research. The lead researcher, a postgraduate student, experienced a barrage of harassment on and beyond social media. The supportive yet uncoordinated institutional response highlighted gaps in practice, guidance and policy relating to social media research ethics, researcher safety and wellbeing, planning for and managing online and offline risk, and coordinated organisational responses to adverse events. We call for, and provide suggestions to inform, the development of training, guidelines and/or policies that address these gaps. Furthermore, we argue for the urgency of the development of such comprehensive guidance around researcher safety online, which would help to ensure Universities have the capacity to maximize the potential of social media for research while simultaneously better supporting the wellbeing of their staff and students.