Facebook adds warnings to decapitations

[Jazzy]

Facebook has begun adding warning messages to videos on its site showing decapitations and other instances of extreme violence.

The alert states: "Warning! This video contains extremely graphic content and may be upsetting."

The move follows its decision to allow the clips to be posted to its site following a temporary ban on the material, introduced in May.

The prime minister and Facebook's own advisors had criticised the decision.

The social network said that it wished to allow its users - who can be as young as 13 - to share and condemn the material. It added that it would continue to block clips if the original poster glorified or celebrated the violence shown.

On Monday the firm said it might, in time, add warnings or other controls, but initially allowed a recently uploaded decapitation clip to appear unaltered.

This prompted David Cameron to tweet: "It's irresponsible of Facebook to post beheading videos, especially without a warning. They must explain their actions to worried parents."

US charity the Family Online Safety Institute - a member of the social network's Safety Advisory Board - also raised concern saying it had not been alerted to the change of policy despite previously stating such videos "crossed the line".

A spokeswoman for Facebook declined to comment about its latest move.

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Despite the warnings, do you think these types of clips should be allowed? Why / Why not?

 

[Bjornar]

Haha.. It stands the people could be as young as 13 years old.. This is not true! Many kids under 13 have facebook

 

[DrLeftover]

So, pretty much any news stories from the Middle East have a warning that says: "This is how Sharia is enforced, get used to it."

 

[Sinon]

I don't think it's up to Facebook to moderate its content so that Little Jimmy doesn't get scared. I think it's up to Little Jimmy's parents to ensure he's not doing that sort of thing in the first place. People, parents especially, need to stop passing the blame. It's not the internet, it's not TV, it's not movies that are turning your kid into a shitty person. It's you and your lack of interest.

 

[Bjornar]

I don't think it's up to Facebook to moderate its content so that Little Jimmy doesn't get scared. I think it's up to Little Jimmy's parents to ensure he's not doing that sort of thing in the first place. People, parents especially, need to stop passing the blame. It's not the internet, it's not TV, it's not movies that are turning your kid into a shitty person. It's you and your lack of interest.

Yeah, the parents should definitely hold "Little Jimmy" out of that kind of stuff.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I suppose if they add a warning then it's fair game, however, if I ran Facebook, I'd not want those sorts of videos associated with my company.

 

[Flurry]

Isn't up to the one who uploaded it to add a warning about the content and not the company itself?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Isn't up to the one who uploaded it to add a warning about the content and not the company itself?

I think ultimately Facebook is responsible for whatever is on their servers.

 

[Flurry]

True, since they do allow it.