You will be made to think twice about graphic content
Facebook has revealed that it has enforced clickable warnings over its extreme and graphic content on its site.
The warnings are placed over flagged images and videos and tell the user that the content has the potential to shock and upset them if they continue.
This follows the criticism that the site does not have adequate controls over its disturbing images- so anything that is deemed extreme now has these warnings in place.
The warning will ask the user ‘are you sure you want to see this?’ and under 18s will not be able to see the content. Videos will no longer autoplay like other items on the user’s newsfeed.
Examples of the footage that will have these controls; include the death of the French policeman Ahmed Merabet who was killed during the Charlie Hebado attacks.
'A photo or video containing graphic content may appear with a warning to let people know about the content before they view it, and may only be visible to people older than 18,' Facebook said.
Facebook says that this has been in place since December.
'When people share things on Facebook, we expect that they will share it responsibly, including choosing who will see that content,' a spokeswoman told the BBC.
'We also ask that people warn their audience about what they are about to see if it includes graphic violence.'
A Psychologist challenged this new measure, saying that it was still not enough to protect young people viewing these videos by other means.
Dr Arthur Cassidy from the Yellow Ribbon Program- the suicide prevention society has suggested that graphic clips should be banned altogether- to ensure that young people are not subjected to these sorts of images and videos.
He argued that many children use Facebook and can find ways to navigate around the restrictions in order to view these psychologically harmful images.
Facebook only currently allows children of 13 years and older to become members, however if they are determined to see the images- they can give false details.
Facebook has continuously received negativity, to what some have labelled as an ‘overly complex’ response to upsetting content.
Within its policy, it states that any content that is shared for ‘sadistic pleasure or to celebrate or glorify violence will be banned’.
In 2013, there were warnings placed on the site about clips of beheadings, however the ban was later lifted.
Facebook were asked to remove a video of a woman being beheaded in Mexico by child internet protection campaigners.
They said that Facebook was irresponsible for lifting a ban on users posting videos of the beheadings and asked the site to justify its decision to parents. Some critics went as far as to say that the site was 'taking leave of its senses'.
Facebook replied to the campaigners- saying that the images should never be posted for ‘sadistic pleasure’ but for those who want to see them- they should remain available so that they can publicly express their disapproval them.
Source: The Mail Online
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