Social media boycott 28-31 June

RPS stands with our members and colleagues in the health sector in challenging racism, harassment and abuse online.

As part of our continuing commitment to be an anti-racist organisation, we are taking part in a collective social media boycott this coming weekend, alongside our partner organisations including the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Dietetic Association, Intensive Care Society, College of Paramedics and British and Irish Orthoptic Society.

We are disappointed that social media companies have failed to take action to address persistent racism, harassment and abuse to protect their users. We call upon these platforms to address this issue and take meaningful steps to resolve it. They must demonstrate that they are committed to preventing and removing abuse and hateful content from their platforms.

RPS is committed to advocating for our members in all circumstances. We are on our own journey with inclusion and diversity and have recently developed an anti-racist statement and race microaggressions resource in line with our Inclusion and Diversity Strategy. We will continue to challenge ourselves and others to do better around anti-racism and all forms of discrimination.

Our accounts will therefore remain silent from 3pm on Friday 28 May until 11.59pm on Monday 31 May in protest at the inadequate action taken by social media platforms on this issue.