Facebook Brings in New Tools To Tackle Harassment
Since the advent of social networks, harassment has been something that all of us have had to face. The internet has not yet helped in tackling harassment but instead has provided a stage or a platform for harassment to reach new levels. From texting to networking, harassment can now be found everywhere, But now it looks like Facebook has decided to do something about it.
Right now Facebook already has some tools to tackle harassment, but the company is taking steps to do something more about this pressing issue. Why a sudden move you ask? Well, today its the youth that faces most of the harassment, and they are afraid to speak up. But this new feature from Facebook will now enable their friends, family and loved ones to defend the victims of harassments. What does this new feature do, exactly? Well, now everyone can report offensive content to a person, and that too without the latter having to act.
In addition to all this, the people who are making such moves or reports would be anonymous, and the person who does this becomes part of a cyber-protection program and he or she would not have to worry or fear about reprisals.
Users who now want to directly be against offensive or insulting content can now have the tools to do the same too. Now there are features on deleting or hiding several comments at the same time. This is particularly useful because with this now young people can protect themselves and their young ones without the aggressor even knowing about it.
This is also some major gain points for Facebook. For a company that is being accused of not taking care of its users, this move is seen as a way for the company to show that it does care for its users, and it wants to help its users in a more personal and emotional level.
Better Tools
But it is not just kids or youngsters that have to deal with harassment. Celebrities are also targeted to harassment, and that too at a grand level. What about them? Well, the service has thought about them too. Now, social network managers will have tools to have increased surveillance of all its members. It is clear that from now on, personal attacks on celebrities will no longer be tolerated. Facebook is also working on its algorithms to identify or prevent offensive words from appearing in comments.
But what about all the social discussions or arguments that happen in the platform? Is this the end of open, frank talks on the platform? Well, frank discussions need not always have harassment on the list, and second, the social network is still a thumbs up for open discussions, but offensive words would be blocked from appearing in the comments.
The company is also working on sanctions through which harassment might be appealed. Hence in the same spirit, users would now be able to report offensive or harmful content if the first time turned out to be unsuccessful.
