A distressing video that emerged on social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, has reinforced the need for people to reach out during troubling and hard times.
On Sunday night (US time), clips of a suicide that had originally been livestreamed on Facebook circulated on other platforms, including TikTok.
General Manager of TikTok Australia and New Zealand Lee Hunter says this content is both distressing and a clear violation of their Community Guidelines.
"Our systems have been automatically detecting and flagging these clips for violating our policies against content that displays, praises, glorifies, or promotes suicide.
"We are banning accounts that repeatedly try to upload clips, and we appreciate our community members who've reported content and warned others against watching, engaging, or sharing such videos on any platform out of respect for the person and their family.
"If anyone in our community is struggling with thoughts of suicide or concerned about someone who is, we encourage them to seek support, and we provide access to hotlines directly from our app and in our Safety Centre.”
Under its Safety Centre, TikTok has Suicide Prevention Resources.
This includes advice on contacting a professional if you are in danger, talking to someone you trust during difficult times and ways to look after and support yourself.
'We understand and share the concerns expressed by the Prime Minister, eSafety Commissioner and the wider community that materials like this are made and shared.
'We are working closely with local policymakers and relevant organisations to keep them informed,” says Lee.
'We understand the serious responsibility that we have, along with all platforms, to effectively address harmful content and we want to reiterate that the safety of our users is our utmost priority.
'If anyone in our community is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or concerned about someone who is, we encourage them to seek support, and we provide access to hotlines and support resources directly from our app and in our Safety Centre.”
Today is the official World Suicide Prevention Day.
It's a day set up to provide the opportunity for people, across the globe, to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. Read more here.
People who are struggling and need someone to talk to, can call the below helplines:
National helplines
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
1 comment
Social media...
Posted on 10-09-2020 12:07 | By morepork
...is a two-edged sword. It's bad enough that they steal your identity and your private information, re-selling it without your permission and never paying you anything, but it also facilitates the public display of things like the mosque massacre, live as it happens, and now the sad death of a disturbed person. If you are at an age where you think it would be a crime for the world NOT to know every thought in your head and every action you take, and you can't imagine life without your cellphone and your online presence, just think for a minute about the dark side of it. Those of us who have grown past that age can recognize social media as a force for fun but still be aware of the dangers. I am not on Facebook and don't miss it. And I don't generally use a cellphone.
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