Facebook has begun placing warning messages over videos and photos which it deems may contain graphic images that could “shock, offend and upset.”
The move, which has been rolled out since December, was confirmed by Facebook as a way to prevent potentially distressing videos from being viewed automatically. Previously such content would have auto-played on the site.
It follows pressure from both Facebook’s internal and external safety advisors after graphic videos posted by terror groups showing beheadings of hostages and shocking propaganda were shown to users under 18.
The graphic video warnings will require the user to click on the video to confirm that they still want to see it after the advice.
Facebook’s user terms and conditions state that content “shared for sadistic pleasure or to celebrate or glorify violence” is banned and will be removed without warning. However, Facebook has faced continual criticism for allowing violent and graphic content to remain on the site because it deems it to be of public interest. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2015