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In collaborative tools, users can sometimes leave inappropriate comments. Platforms try to deal with that by allowing users report inappropriate stuff.
Google+ uses "report abuse", as a button in the profile.
Instagram uses "report" and then allows you to choose whether "it's spam" or "it's inappropriate".
Can you provide some more examples and explain the difference?
Spam implies a "selling" element, whether in unsolicited bulk email or as posts on social media. Abuse is a broader description that can include spam but also, for example, content that is horrific, sexist, racist, misogynistic, intended to incite violence, and so on. Most platforms and outlets provide definitions, like that of Google+ https://support.google.com/plus/answer/6320425.
Spam also involves with amount, frequency, and other repeating nature of the post.
Abuse can be one-off. (But some abuses may need repetition as well in certain contexts, like some bullying)
This might be just as valid on english.stackexchange.com - great place to discuss the nuances of English words and grammar.
I think abuse is more broad. It covers more, but some timid/unexperienced users might not know exactly what qualifies as abuse and avoid using it. They might think spam isn't considered abuse so they wouldn't report it.
Spam is pretty specific to emails and other forms of unsolicited communications. You might not report a DDoS attack to a spam list, but Grandpa Dirt who just got his first computer last week surely has a general idea of what spam is from watching the TV (news, etc) over the last 15+ years.
I think you might be splitting hairs with this one. But if it's important, then I would say it depends on your community and what you're expecting exactly. If it's specific to unsolicited comms I would say stick with "Spam". "Abuse" is a pretty known term in the techy community. Most ISPs and domain registrars have had abuse emails since the mid 90s (or earlier).
