WELLINGTON: THE WORLD’S biggest social media network Facebook has begun placing warnings over videos posted to its site, stating their contents might “shock, offend and upset” if watched.
The alerts prevent the videos from automatically playing in feeds unless they are clicked.
Facebook, which has an estimated 1.15 billion members, is also preventing graphic videos and photos from being shown to any user who has identified themselves as being less than 18 years old.
The site has faced continued criticism over the last few years for allowing violent and graphic images that it deems to be of public interest or concern to remain on its pages.
Its guidelines ban material “shared for sadistic pleasure or to celebrate or glorify violence”.
But it does allow news reports and other documentary images depicting beheadings and other types of murder to remain online.
The network permits children as young as 13 years old to become members. However, it is believed that children even younger are joining up to Facebook still by providing false details when registering.
