Chapter 1: Introduction to Content Moderation

If you're searching for a straightforward work-from-home position that doesn't necessitate extensive training, a role as a Content Moderator could be ideal. Consider how many hours you spend daily scrolling through feeds related to your interests; why not earn money doing something similar?

Having worked as a content moderator for several years, I’d like to share both the advantages and disadvantages of this field.

Note: There are indeed drawbacks, but the benefit lies in enhancing the online experience for millions by eliminating unwanted, misleading, or harmful content. Moderators play a crucial role in making the internet a safer space for everyone.

Which Companies Employ Moderators?

Numerous major social media platforms, such as Meta, Reddit, TikTok, X/Twitter, and Instagram, hire thousands of content moderators. Essentially, any site that has user-generated content or a comment section employs these moderators. This includes well-known companies like YouTube, Amazon, Quora, and Discord.

You could find yourself moderating various platforms like discussion forums, news websites, podcasts, applications, and even video games—essentially anywhere that allows user submissions. According to The New Yorker, more than 100,000 content moderators are currently employed across the industry.

The pay can vary significantly based on the platform, your working hours, and the expertise required. Moderating for social media is generally viewed as an entry-level position within the tech industry. However, transitioning to more specialized roles can lead to pay rates of up to $50 per hour.

While you may not become wealthy, this role offers plenty of job opportunities and some downtime that you can utilize for more lucrative writing assignments.

Chapter 2: Essential Skills and Qualifications

What Qualifications Are Necessary?

To begin with, you should be a proficient user of the platform you wish to moderate. Be aware that you may be asked for your username, so if your account contains inappropriate content, create a work-friendly profile with neutral posts to establish a suitable online presence. The only exception to this requirement is if you have prior moderation experience with a competing or larger site.

Next, you'll need to possess above-average tech skills. This implies more than just being able to send emails or navigate a search engine; you don’t need to be a programmer, but familiarity with a wide range of software is essential. Companies often use proprietary software for moderation, and you should be comfortable with productivity tools such as Slack, MS Teams, Google Workspace, and the MS Office Suite.

It's crucial to confidently assert, “I can navigate almost any app,” as any pretense will likely be uncovered on your first day.

Additionally, some employers may require you to provide your own laptop with the latest operating system and a functional webcam. Since you'll be dealing with potentially disturbing content, it’s advisable not to use your work laptop for personal matters.

Experience with remote work is another key factor. While it’s not a strict requirement, many employers will inquire about your comfort working within a distributed team. They’ll want to know your time zone and availability, with Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Pacific Standard Time (PST) being the most common preferences.

You should also possess strong communication skills. If you're unable to pinpoint issues with a video or comment and convey that information effectively to the user, this job may not be a good fit for you.

Finally, familiarity with your niche is essential. For example, if you're moderating a cryptocurrency platform, a background in finance or blockchain technology is required. Extensive writing on a subject can also fulfill this requirement.

When moderating for news outlets, staying updated on headlines, congressional issues, and election cycles is crucial. If your focus is on entertainment, knowledge of popular musicians and current celebrity events is expected.

Employers also look for candidates who can handle viewing violent and disturbing content, which brings us to some of the more challenging aspects of moderation.

Video Description: An overview of content moderator jobs offering $30 per hour for remote work in 2024.

Chapter 3: The Dark Side of Moderation

The Challenges of Moderation

The harsh reality of content moderation often includes psychological trauma. While many enjoy cute animal videos, financial tips, and insightful political commentary, it’s essential to acknowledge the thousands of workers who filter out harmful content for your viewing pleasure.

Most would be surprised by the sheer volume of content that gets removed. Despite considering myself resilient in the face of graphic material, nothing could prepare me for the barrage of explicit content, violence, self-harm, and abuse I encountered during each shift. My first day was a jarring introduction to a compilation of graphic suicides.

You might think repeated exposure would lead to desensitization, but I found myself increasingly overwhelmed by the disturbing material. The frequency of blocking unsavory users was astounding, and my sensitivity heightened to the extent that I can no longer watch certain horror films.

Moreover, the issue extends beyond users spamming inappropriate content; legitimate news can also be distressing. Moderators often spend considerable time analyzing troubling situations, such as child abuse, to identify policy violations.

Even positions focused on finance can present challenges, as you will still encounter a significant amount of spam and scams.

If you’re still interested, there’s another downside to consider: burnout.

The job can become monotonous, particularly when platforms categorize content for review. While watching cut