Twitter launches prompt asking users to rethink ‘offensive’ tweets

Twitter has launched a “prompt” feature that will allow users to review “offensive and abusive” tweets before sending them.

In a statement on Wednesday, Twitter said the feature will result in the prompt: “want to review this before tweeting?” while users are presented with three choices: tweet, edit, or delete when an abusive tone is detected.

It said the feature, which will come first to iPhones and later to Android devices as from Thursday, follows after it had been tested last year. The social network also said it has meaningfully reduced the volume of abuse.

Twitter added that, after a year of tests with the add-on, its users sent fewer offensive replies across the service.

The microblogging platform said, when prompted, 34 percent revised their reply or decided not to send. It added that after they were first prompted, users composed about 11 percent fewer offensive replies in the future and were also less likely to receive offensive replies.

“We’ll continue to explore how prompts — such as reply prompts and article prompts — and other forms of intervention can encourage healthier conversations on Twitter,” the company wrote.

“Our teams will also collect feedback from people who have received reply prompts as we expand this feature to other languages. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to learn and make new improvements.”