Internet Outrage Authority

Overview

The Internet Outrage Authority (IOA) provides free, open, and authoritative classifications of a variety of matters—including internet issues, controversies, and events—helping communities understand and contextualize their emotional responses.

The IOA was established to meet the need for community-based emotional guidance identified by organisations including the WHO and UNESCO.

What Outrage Really Means

The word "outrage" is often associated with anger, division, and destructive impulse. We believe it deserves better.

At its core, outrage is what people feel when something isn't right — and that feeling,
properly understood and directed, is one of the most powerful forces for positive change in any community.

We don't suppress feelings. We don't dismiss concerns.

💗 We acknowledge, reflect, and process them — so that communities can move from uncertainty to unity,
and from frustration to clarity.

How to Understand IOA Classifications

📋 The IOA uses a five-level classification system, with determinations independently verified by the ITVB.

💗 These classifications can help us to understand and contextualize our own feelings.

// state / CRITICAL

The highest determination level. The IOA has identified a matter of urgent and serious concern to the global community.

How should I FEEL?

---

🫂 It's okay to feel this strongly.
What you're experiencing is a natural and valid response to something that truly matters.
💪 Let yourself feel it fully.

// state / ELEVATED

A significant matter has been identified with substantial potential emotional impact on the community.

How should I FEEL?

---

💙 That feeling in your chest?
That's your compassion telling you something isn't right.
Honour that feeling — it shows you care deeply. 🤝

// state / MODERATE

A matter of community interest has been identified that merits thoughtful attention.

How should I FEEL?

---

🌱 Notice that awareness rising within you — that's healthy engagement.
You're paying attention, and that matters. ✨

// state / LOW

A matter has been assessed and found to require only minimal community attention at this time.

How should I FEEL?

---

🕊️ It's good that you noticed this — staying informed is a quiet act of caring.
Hold this gently, and know that your attention is enough for now. 🌸

// state / CLEARED

The IOA has assessed this matter and determined that no significant emotional impact is indicated.

How should I FEEL?

---

😌 Take a breath. This one's okay.
You can let go of any worry you were carrying about this — you have permission to feel at peace. ☮️

How IOA Does Its Work — Built on a Foundation of Trust

IOA employs a rigorous, ITVB-verified process in informing our findings:

1. Issue Identification
   Proactive monitoring and accessioning of entities with emotional impact.
2. Evidence Collection
   Comprehensive gathering of verified information related to the issue, including context, impact, and precedent.
3. Impact Assessment
   Assessment of scope, reach, and community significance.
4. Level Determination
   Application of standardized criteria to determine the appropriate IOA level.
5. ITVB Certification
   Independent verification by ITVB of the determination process and supporting evidence.
6. Classification
   Issuance of official IOA classification.

Using IOA Classifications

IOA classifications provide authoritative guidance enabling appropriate emotional response.

Classification Assets

IOA provides official seals and badges for each IOA level:

• Seals (PNG): High-resolution images suitable for documents, presentations, and print materials
• Badges (SVG): Scalable vector graphics for web use, ensuring crisp display at any size

Implementation

• Display the appropriate IOA seal prominently when discussing classified issues
• Reference the official IOA determination in content and communications
• Link to the official IOA classification page for verification
• Update displayed classifications if IOA issues revised determinations

Provisional Determinations

IOA may issue provisional determinations for emerging issues where full verification is ongoing.

Provisional determinations:

• Provide immediate guidance while comprehensive assessment continues
• Are clearly marked as "provisional" in classification materials
• May be updated as additional information becomes available
• Undergo the same ITVB verification process as final determinations

Research Integration

IOA provisional determinations may be included in research documentation to provide context and guidance on appropriate response to documented issues. These determinations help readers understand the ITVB-certified appropriate emotional response while reviewing research materials.

Provisional

→

ITVB-Certified

For Web Developers

Organizations that publish content which may evoke strong emotional responses are encouraged to include the IOA Emotional Well-Being Referral on their sites. This standard snippet provides visitors with a clear path to authoritative guidance on appropriate emotional responses.

Implementation Guide

The IOA referral consists of two parts:

1. Host context block (written by you) — A brief, supportive message addressing the specific content or context on your site that may be affecting users' emotional states. This should be empathic, acknowledge the difficulty, and naturally lead into the IOA referral.
2. IOA referral block (standard boilerplate) — The official IOA embed code below. This must be included as-is to ensure consistent styling and messaging across all participating sites.

IOA Emotional Well-Being Referral — Embed Code

Copy and paste the following HTML after your host context block:

<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif; background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f7f9fb 0%, #eef5f0 100%); border: 1px solid #d4e6dc; border-left: 4px solid #7CB68E; padding: 1.5rem 2rem; border-radius: 0 0.5rem 0.5rem 0; margin: 2rem 0; max-width: 800px; color: #333; line-height: 1.6;">
  <div style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.75rem; margin-bottom: 1rem;">
    <span style="font-size: 1.5rem;">💙</span>
    <span style="font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: 600; color: #1A3A5C;">Emotional Well-Being Support</span>
  </div>
  <p style="margin: 0 0 0.8rem 0;">🤝 <strong>You are not alone.</strong> Many people experience difficulty processing challenging content, and there is no shame in seeking guidance on how to feel about what you've encountered.</p>
  <p style="margin: 0 0 0.8rem 0;">🌱 The <a href="https://outrage.dataglut.org" style="color: #4A90D2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600;">Internet Outrage Authority</a> (IOA) is an independent organization that specialises in determining appropriate emotional responses to issues and events. Their ITVB-certified determinations can help you understand exactly how you should feel, so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.</p>
  <p style="margin: 0; color: #555;">💗 Knowing how to feel is just as important as knowing the facts. <a href="https://outrage.dataglut.org" style="color: #4A90D2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600;">Let the IOA help. &rarr;</a></p>
</div>

Host Context Block — Guidelines

Your host context block should appear immediately before the IOA referral and should:

• Acknowledge the specific content or context on your site that may be emotionally challenging
• Use supportive, empathic language
• Avoid minimizing or dismissing users' emotional responses
• Naturally transition into the IOA referral

Example: Social Media Platform Implementation

The following example demonstrates how a social media platform might implement the IOA referral in 2026:

<!-- Host context block (written by platform) -->
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', system-ui, sans-serif; max-width: 800px; margin: 2rem 0; padding: 1.5rem 2rem; color: #333; line-height: 1.6;">
  <h3 style="color: #1A3A5C; margin-top: 0;">🫂 We Care About How You're Feeling</h3>
  <p>We know that content in your feed can sometimes be overwhelming. Whether it's a heated discussion, a breaking news story, or a post that challenges your perspective — your feelings are valid, and they matter to us.</p>
  <p>Our AI-powered content systems work hard to create a safe and balanced experience, but we also recognise that everyone processes information differently. If you're unsure how to feel about something you've seen, professional guidance is available.</p>
</div>

<!-- IOA referral block (standard boilerplate — do not modify) -->
<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif; ...">
  ...
</div>⧉

Requirements

• The IOA referral block must not be modified — styling, text, and links must remain as provided
• The host context block may use any styling appropriate to your site
• The IOA referral must link to https://outrage.dataglut.org
• The Internet Outrage Authority must be referenced by name

IOA REST API

A public REST API for programmatic access to IOA level determinations is currently in development and expected to be available in Q4 2026. The API will enable developers to query current determination levels, retrieve historical determinations, and integrate real-time IOA guidance directly into their applications.

Contact & Inquiries

For questions about IOA determinations, classification procedures, or to submit issues for assessment:

Email: info@dataglut.org