Set personal limits on the amount of time spent moderating at a stretch. Regular breaks are crucial to prevent overload and reduce exposure to stressful content. Don’t try to use social media and moderate it at the same time, conduct your content moderation separately form your social interactions. Set time aside to “do” the moderation.
Engage with your fellow moderators to share experiences and coping strategies. Peer support can provide emotional comfort and practical tips. Access to counselling or psychological support services can be invaluable, especially if you’ve had to deal with extreme or disturbing content.
If you’re 30 minutes in to a run of reports and conflict, stand up, turn around, take a five minute stress break. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help manage stress by focusing the mind and reducing anxiety. Alternatively, just change your scenery for five minutes, take a short walk or change rooms.
Stay up to date on the latest moderation tools. Being well-prepared can reduce anxiety about handling difficult situations.
Ensure the physical workspace where you do the moderating is comfortable, with adequate lighting, and minimal distractions.
Regularly assess your mental health and acknowledge any feelings of burnout or distress. Recognising early signs of stress can help in taking timely action.
