Q

Heartmob assembles to fend off internet trolls

Emily May talks about Heartmob, a new crowd-funded website that helps people who have been harassed online report their abusers more easily, and to get support.
A woman sees a litany of abusive messages on her phone in a trailer for Heartmob. (iHollaback/YouTube)

Mean comments. Trolling. Cyberstalking. IRL stalking. Swatting. Death threats. Unfortunately, it's all familiar stuff on the internet.

A 2014 Pew Research Center study showed that 40 per cent of people have been harassed online. And it's particularly severe for young women. 

Now, a new crowd-funded website is helping to crack down on digital harassment. 

It's called Heartmob, and was created through a Kickstarter campaign led by Hollaback!, an anti-street-harassment organization.

Heartmob lets those who have been harassed online report their abusers more easily and get support. Hollaback! co-founder and executive director Emily May talks about Heartmob and fighting online harassment today on q.