In order to address online toxicity and it effects, there needs to be a cooperation between states and platforms around a shared democratic commitment. However, where there is willingness of the state to work with platforms around structural issues, such as content moderation or algorithm adjustments, there is limited willingness of platforms to cooperate.

In cases where the state actively spreads, condones or tolerates online toxicity, attempts between external states and online platforms at cooperation are limited. Platforms do not show willingness to address these issues domestically without concerted and robust state intervention. Within domestic elections, illiberal external states and actors utilise core functions of platforms to advance their geopolitical interests in a way the platforms and target countries struggle to control.