City of Calgary

Improving communication between
citizens and local government

City of Calgary

Improving communication between
citizens and local government

A safer and more inclusive space for citizens through comment moderation

1.4 Mn
citizens protected
84,635
comments collected
14%
increase in engagement on Meta

A safer and more inclusive space for citizens through comment moderation

1.4 Mn
citizens protected
84,635
comments collected
14%
increase in engagement on Meta
Overview

How automated moderation solutions are improving social conversations

In today’s digital age, cities worldwide are leveraging social media platforms to engage with their citizens, fostering transparent communication and public participation. However, the rise of abusive and offensive comments has posed a significant challenge to maintaining a healthy online dialogue. When city-wide issues emerge, a surge of toxic comments can overwhelm social media teams, disrupting meaningful conversations and stretching resources thin.

Automated moderation tools have emerged as a vital solution to this growing problem. By filtering out harmful content while preserving constructive debate, these tools help municipalities manage their online presence more effectively. The integration of automated moderation not only reduces the manual effort required to monitor social media channels but also ensures that public discussions remain respectful and inclusive.

As a result, citizens are more likely to engage in discussions, knowing they are participating in a safe and supportive environment. This shift towards automated moderation is empowering cities to focus on meaningful civic engagement, driving higher levels of participation and fostering a stronger connection between citizens and their local governments.

Overview

How automated moderation solutions are improving social conversations

In today’s digital age, cities worldwide are leveraging social media platforms to engage with their citizens, fostering transparent communication and public participation. However, the rise of abusive and offensive comments has posed a significant challenge to maintaining a healthy online dialogue. When city-wide issues emerge, a surge of toxic comments can overwhelm social media teams, disrupting meaningful conversations and stretching resources thin.

Automated moderation tools have emerged as a vital solution to this growing problem. By filtering out harmful content while preserving constructive debate, these tools help municipalities manage their online presence more effectively. The integration of automated moderation not only reduces the manual effort required to monitor social media channels but also ensures that public discussions remain respectful and inclusive.

As a result, citizens are more likely to engage in discussions, knowing they are participating in a safe and supportive environment. This shift towards automated moderation is empowering cities to focus on meaningful civic engagement, driving higher levels of participation and fostering a stronger connection between citizens and their local governments.

Jost Body-Aug-23-2024-09-38-07-7175-AM
CITY OF CALGARY'S STORY

Challenge

The City of Calgary, a metropolis with a population of 1.4 million, has long enjoyed active online communication between its citizens and local government. However, as with many major cities, the rise of social media brought a surge in abusive and offensive comments. This toxic behavior eroded the quality of civic dialogue, especially during times of heightened public interest or controversy when the toxic comment volumes spiked.

The city's Social Media team found themselves increasingly overwhelmed, struggling to manually manage the growing number of harmful comments. This not only strained their resources but also discouraged constructive participation from citizens who were put off by the negativity. Recognizing the need for a more effective solution, the team turned to Arwen for help in restoring the integrity of their online engagement.
CALGARY MEETS ARWEN

Solution

  • The City of Calgary approached Arwen with a precise challenge: they needed a solution to effectively hide toxic comments without suppressing their citizens' constructive suggestions, complaints, or recommendations. Their goal was to maintain a healthy online dialogue while filtering out only the truly harmful content

  • Arwen worked closely with Calgary’s Social Media team to create a tailored moderation model. By analyzing historical data, we identified the specific types of comments that were problematic for the city. This allowed us to develop a customized filter that targeted toxic behavior while preserving the integrity of public discourse

  • Once the model was ready, Arwen seamlessly integrated into Calgary’s social media platforms. The smooth implementation ensured that the city could immediately benefit from automated moderation without disrupting its existing processes

  • Arwen is designed for ongoing refinement. As new patterns of toxic behavior emerge, the platform continues to learn and adapt, ensuring that Calgary’s Social Media team can rely on an ever-improving tool that keeps their online spaces safe and welcoming for all users
A social media comment section with toxic comments blurred out, demonstrating the automated moderation solution implemented by the City of Calgary to improve online civic engagement and filter harmful content.
Jost Body-Aug-23-2024-09-38-07-7175-AM
CITY OF CALGARY'S STORY

Challenge

The City of Calgary, a metropolis with a population of 1.4 million, has long enjoyed active online communication between its citizens and local government. However, as with many major cities, the rise of social media brought a surge in abusive and offensive comments. This toxic behavior eroded the quality of civic dialogue, especially during times of heightened public interest or controversy when the toxic comment volumes spiked.

The city's Social Media team found themselves increasingly overwhelmed, struggling to manually manage the growing number of harmful comments. This not only strained their resources but also discouraged constructive participation from citizens who were put off by the negativity. Recognizing the need for a more effective solution, the team turned to Arwen for help in restoring the integrity of their online engagement.
A social media comment section with toxic comments blurred out, demonstrating the automated moderation solution implemented by the City of Calgary to improve online civic engagement and filter harmful content.
CALGARY MEETS ARWEN

Solution 

  • The City of Calgary approached Arwen with a precise challenge: they needed a solution to effectively hide toxic comments without suppressing their citizens' constructive suggestions, complaints, or recommendations. Their goal was to maintain a healthy online dialogue while filtering out only the truly harmful content

  • Arwen worked closely with Calgary’s Social Media team to create a tailored moderation model. By analyzing historical data, we identified the specific types of comments that were problematic for the city. This allowed us to develop a customized filter that targeted toxic behavior while preserving the integrity of public discourse

  • Once the model was ready, Arwen seamlessly integrated into Calgary’s social media platforms. The smooth implementation ensured that the city could immediately benefit from automated moderation without disrupting its existing processes

  • Arwen is designed for ongoing refinement. As new patterns of toxic behavior emerge, the platform continues to learn and adapt, ensuring that Calgary’s Social Media team can rely on an ever-improving tool that keeps their online spaces safe and welcoming for all users

“Social is an important channel for civic debate and it was being damaged by spam and toxicity. Finding it and removing it was taking too much time. To have Arwen take care of it automatically is so reassuring and has created a much healthier online community.”

Lyndia P, Marketing Team Supervisor at City of Calgary, shares a positive testimonial about using automated moderation tools to enhance online civic engagement and improve social media interactions in Calgary.
City of Calgary Marketing Team Supervisor

“Social is an important channel for civic debate and it was being damaged by spam and toxicity. Finding it and removing it was taking too much time. To have Arwen take care of it automatically is so reassuring and has created a much healthier online community.”

Lyndia P
City of Calgary Marketing Team Supervisor
A positive social media comment section with citizens appreciating and engaging with the City of Calgary, alongside icons of Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube, highlighting the successful impact of automated moderation across multiple platforms.
MAKING CALGARY SAFE

Impact

Arwen significantly enhanced the quality of online civic engagement for the City of Calgary. By effectively filtering out toxic comments while preserving constructive discussions, Arwen reduced the manual workload for the Social Media team and created a safer environment for public interaction. This led to increased citizen participation and more meaningful dialogue.

Here’s how things have improved:

  • 1.4 Million Citizens Protected, ensuring a safer online space for all

  • 84,635 Comments Managed, filtering out harmful content while allowing constructive feedback to remain.

  • 14% Increase in Engagement, as toxicity decreased, Calgary’s citizens became more active, leading to a significant boost in engagement across the city’s social media platforms

With Arwen’s ongoing support, the City of Calgary continues to foster a positive and inclusive online community where citizens can engage in meaningful discussions without fear of encountering toxicity.

A positive social media comment section with citizens appreciating and engaging with the City of Calgary, alongside icons of Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube, highlighting the successful impact of automated moderation across multiple platforms.
MAKING CALGARY SAFE

Impact

Arwen significantly enhanced the quality of online civic engagement for the City of Calgary. By effectively filtering out toxic comments while preserving constructive discussions, Arwen reduced the manual workload for the Social Media team and created a safer environment for public interaction. This led to increased citizen participation and more meaningful dialogue.

Here’s how things have improved:

  • 1.4 Million Citizens Protected, ensuring a safer online space for all

  • 84,635 Comments Managed, filtering out harmful content while allowing constructive feedback to remain.

  • 14% Increase in Engagement, as toxicity decreased, Calgary’s citizens became more active, leading to a significant boost in engagement across the city’s social media platforms

With Arwen’s ongoing support, the City of Calgary continues to foster a positive and inclusive online community where citizens can engage in meaningful discussions without fear of encountering toxicity.

Calgary has made its social media safe.

Are you ready to make yours?