While Facebook has been introducing new features to Instagram, the photo-sharing site has been accused for negatively impacting teens' mental health.

As a result, in order to protect young minds from engaging with dangerous information on Instagram, Facebook has stated that a new "Take a Break" function would be added to Instagram shortly.

In an interview with CNN, Facebook's Vice President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, acknowledged this development.

During the interview, CNN reporter Dana Bash questioned Clegg about comments made by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who testified before Congress that Instagram is harmful to children.&nbsp;

With the new 'take a break' and 'nudge' features, Facebook intends to identify whether a kid is viewing the same content often, and if that content "may not be beneficial to their well-being," it will encourage them to look at different stuff.

This would simply be a push, not a forced refresh of the feed, so it would still be up to the adolescent user to decide what material they want to see on Instagram.

There is no set date for the release of these features, but testing will begin soon.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

While Facebook has been introducing new features to Instagram, the photo-sharing site has been accused for negatively impacting teens' mental health. As a result, in order to protect young minds from engaging with dangerous information on Instagram, Facebook has stated that a new "Take a Break" function would be added to Instagram shortly.

While Facebook has been introducing new features to Instagram, the photo-sharing site has been accused for negatively impacting teens' mental health. As a result, in order to protect young minds from engaging with dangerous information on Instagram, Facebook has stated that a new "Take a Break" function would be added to Instagram shortly. In an interview with CNN, Facebook's Vice President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, acknowledged this development. During the interview, CNN reporter Dana Bash questioned Clegg about comments made by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who testified before Congress that Instagram is harmful to children. With the new 'take a break' and 'nudge' features, Facebook intends to identify whether a kid is viewing the same content often, and if that content "may not be beneficial to their well-being," it will encourage them to look at different stuff. This would simply be a push, not a forced refresh of the feed, so it would still be up to the adolescent user to decide what material they want to see on Instagram. There is no set date for the release of these features, but testing will begin soon. (With inputs from agencies)

Take a break & nudge: Facebook-Instagram to launch features to keep kids away from harmful content

Facebook’s oversight board on Tuesday announced that it will begin accepting cases from users of the social networks who believe the company wrongfully allowed harmful content to remain on its platform.

Facebook set up the oversight panel last year to act as the ultimate referee on whether specific content should be allowed on its platforms, amid furious criticism about its inability to respond to a tide of misinformation, hate speech and other harmful content. The board is empowered to make binding rulings on whether posts or ads violate the company’s rules.

The board includes former judges, journalists and human rights activists, who review appeals from users on material that has been taken down from Facebook and Instagram, and make binding content decisions for the social networking platforms.

"Enabling users to appeal content they want to see removed from Facebook is a significant expansion of the Oversight Board's capabilities," Thomas Hughes, director of the Oversight Board-Administration, said in a statement.

The Oversight Board said this new capability -- long sought by advocates of independent content moderation -- represents an important step toward delivering a more principled and transparent model of content moderation.

Decisions made through the Board's independent judgment are binding on Facebook.

Hughes noted that the Oversight Board was created to ensure that fewer decisions about highly significant content issues be taken by Facebook alone.

Better decisions can be delivered through an independent and transparent process that works to safeguard human rights and freedom of expression and the latest announcement is another step towards realising this, Hughes said.

Since October 2020, users have been able to appeal to the Oversight Board about their content being removed.

With an expanding rollout over the coming weeks, users -- after exhausting Facebook's appeals process -- will receive an Oversight Board Reference ID and can formally appeal for independent review. &nbsp;

The content eligible for review includes posts, status updates, photos, videos, comments and shares, the statement said.

As content will be live on Facebook and Instagram, many people may report the same piece of content. In these cases, multiple user appeals will be gathered into a single case file for the Board, providing the greater context of the impact of the content.

As with appeals on content that users want to be restored to Facebook, users may appeal to the Oversight Board once they have exhausted the appeals process with the company, the statement said.

The Oversight Board started receiving cases in October 2020. So far, the Board has received over 300,000 user appeals and thousands of public comments.

(With inputs from agencies)

Facebook’s oversight board on Tuesday announced that it will begin accepting cases from users of the social networks who believe the company wrongfully allowed harmful content to remain on its platform.

Facebook’s oversight board on Tuesday announced that it will begin accepting cases from users of the social networks who believe the company wrongfully allowed harmful content to remain on its platform. Facebook set up the oversight panel last year to act as the ultimate referee on whether specific content should be allowed on its platforms, amid furious criticism about its inability to respond to a tide of misinformation, hate speech and other harmful content. The board is empowered to make binding rulings on whether posts or ads violate the company’s rules. The board includes former judges, journalists and human rights activists, who review appeals from users on material that has been taken down from Facebook and Instagram, and make binding content decisions for the social networking platforms. "Enabling users to appeal content they want to see removed from Facebook is a significant expansion of the Oversight Board's capabilities," Thomas Hughes, director of the Oversight Board-Administration, said in a statement. The Oversight Board said this new capability -- long sought by advocates of independent content moderation -- represents an important step toward delivering a more principled and transparent model of content moderation. Decisions made through the Board's independent judgment are binding on Facebook. Hughes noted that the Oversight Board was created to ensure that fewer decisions about highly significant content issues be taken by Facebook alone. Better decisions can be delivered through an independent and transparent process that works to safeguard human rights and freedom of expression and the latest announcement is another step towards realising this, Hughes said. Since October 2020, users have been able to appeal to the Oversight Board about their content being removed. With an expanding rollout over the coming weeks, users -- after exhausting Facebook's appeals process -- will receive an Oversight Board Reference ID and can formally appeal for independent review. The content eligible for review includes posts, status updates, photos, videos, comments and shares, the statement said. As content will be live on Facebook and Instagram, many people may report the same piece of content. In these cases, multiple user appeals will be gathered into a single case file for the Board, providing the greater context of the impact of the content. As with appeals on content that users want to be restored to Facebook, users may appeal to the Oversight Board once they have exhausted the appeals process with the company, the statement said. The Oversight Board started receiving cases in October 2020. So far, the Board has received over 300,000 user appeals and thousands of public comments. (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook, Instagram users can move Oversight Board to remove harmful content

Facebook, Twitter and TikTok face fines of up to 10% of turnover if they fail to remove and limit the spread of illegal content under laws proposed by Britain on Tuesday. 
 
Tech platforms will also need to do more to protect children from being exposed to grooming, bullying and pornography, the government said, to ensure the safety of children online.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/facebook-removes-two-hacking-groups-from-bangladesh-vietnam-349001" hreflang="en">Facebook removes two hacking groups from Bangladesh, Vietnam</a> 
 
"We are entering a new age of accountability for tech to protect children and vulnerable users, to restore trust in this industry, and to enshrine in law safeguards for free speech," Britain`s Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said. 
 
Governments globally are wrestling over measures to better control illegal or dangerous content on social media, with the European Union set to unveil its own package on Tuesday. 
 
Britain`s new rules, which will be introduced in legislation next year, could lead to sites which break the rules being blocked and senior managers held liable for content. 
 
Popular platforms will be required to have clear policies for content that, while not illegal, could cause harm such as disseminating misinformation about COVID vaccines.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/facebook-faces-lawsuits-that-could-force-sale-of-instagram-whatsapp-348713" hreflang="en">Facebook faces lawsuits that could force sale of Instagram, WhatsApp</a> 
 
Dowden said the framework would give large digital businesses "robust rules" to follow. 
 
Facebook and Google said in February they would work with the government on the regulations. Both companies said they took safety extremely seriously and they had already changed their policies and operations to better tackle the issue. 
 
British media regulator Ofcom will be given the power to fine companies up to 18 million pounds ($24 million) or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher, for breaking the rules. 
 
It will also be able to block non-compliant services from being accessed in Britain.&nbsp; 
 
Online journalism and reader comments on news publishers` websites will be exempt to safeguard freedom of expression.

Facebook, Twitter and TikTok face fines of up to 10% of turnover if they fail to remove and limit the spread of illegal content under laws proposed by Britain on Tuesday.

Facebook, Twitter and TikTok face fines of up to 10% of turnover if they fail to remove and limit the spread of illegal content under laws proposed by Britain on Tuesday. Tech platforms will also need to do more to protect children from being exposed to grooming, bullying and pornography, the government said, to ensure the safety of children online. Also read: Facebook removes two hacking groups from Bangladesh, Vietnam "We are entering a new age of accountability for tech to protect children and vulnerable users, to restore trust in this industry, and to enshrine in law safeguards for free speech," Britain`s Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said. Governments globally are wrestling over measures to better control illegal or dangerous content on social media, with the European Union set to unveil its own package on Tuesday. Britain`s new rules, which will be introduced in legislation next year, could lead to sites which break the rules being blocked and senior managers held liable for content. Popular platforms will be required to have clear policies for content that, while not illegal, could cause harm such as disseminating misinformation about COVID vaccines. Also read: Facebook faces lawsuits that could force sale of Instagram, WhatsApp Dowden said the framework would give large digital businesses "robust rules" to follow. Facebook and Google said in February they would work with the government on the regulations. Both companies said they took safety extremely seriously and they had already changed their policies and operations to better tackle the issue. British media regulator Ofcom will be given the power to fine companies up to 18 million pounds ($24 million) or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher, for breaking the rules. It will also be able to block non-compliant services from being accessed in Britain. Online journalism and reader comments on news publishers` websites will be exempt to safeguard freedom of expression.

Facebook, Twitter face British fines if fail on harmful content

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have agreed with big advertisers on first steps to curb harmful content online, following boycotts of social media platforms that advertisers had accused of tolerating hate speech.

The agreement comes three months after Facebook was hit by a boycott from major advertisers in the wake of anti-racism demonstrations that followed the death of George Floyd, an American Black man, in police custody.

Advertisers have complained for years that big social media companies do too little to prevent ads from appearing alongside hate speech, fake news and other harmful content. Big tech companies, meanwhile, want to be seen as taking action on the issue to fend off calls for more regulation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/watch-nigerian-teacher-offers-free-mathematics-classes-through-social-media-326249" hreflang="en">Watch: Nigerian teacher offers free Mathematics classes through social media</a>

Under the deal, announced on Wednesday by the World Federation of Advertisers, common definitions would be adopted for forms of harmful content such as hate speech and bullying, and platforms would adopt harmonised reporting standards.

The platforms agreed to have some practices reviewed by external auditors, and to give advertisers more control of what content is displayed alongside their ads. The deal comes less than six weeks before a polarising U.S. presidential election.

"This is a significant milestone in the journey to rebuild trust online," said Luis Di Como, executive vice president of global media at Unilever, one of the world's biggest advertisers. "...Whilst change doesn't happen overnight, today marks an important step in the right direction."

Carolyn Everson, Vice President for Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook, said the agreement "has aligned the industry on the brand safety floor and suitability framework, giving us all a unified language to move forward on the fight against hate online."

SCEPTICAL

Campaigners who want more regulation of social media companies have been sceptical of voluntary measures such as those announced on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/misinformation-fake-news-india-calls-out-pakistan-over-false-propaganda-on-social-media-after-stanford-internet-observatory-report-324616" hreflang="en">'Misinformation, fake news': India calls out Pakistan over false propaganda on social media after Stanford Internet Observatory report</a>

"Any progress in reducing harmful online content is to be welcomed. However, up to now voluntary action from social media companies has rarely lived up to its initial promises. So time will tell how much of a difference this latest industry-led initiative will make," David Babbs of UK-based group Clean Up the Internet told Reuters by email.

The Stop Hate for Profit campaign behind the Facebook boycott is backed by the Anti-Defamation League and NAACP, two of the oldest and biggest anti-racism campaign groups in the United States. The campaign did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

In a statement last week, it said: "Facebook’s failures lead to real-life violence and sow division, and we’re calling on the company to improve its policies. We need to urge people to vote and demand Facebook stop undermining our democracy. Enough is enough."

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have agreed with big advertisers on first steps to curb harmful content online, following boycotts of social media platforms that advertisers had accused of tolerating hate speech.

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have agreed with big advertisers on first steps to curb harmful content online, following boycotts of social media platforms that advertisers had accused of tolerating hate speech. The agreement comes three months after Facebook was hit by a boycott from major advertisers in the wake of anti-racism demonstrations that followed the death of George Floyd, an American Black man, in police custody. Advertisers have complained for years that big social media companies do too little to prevent ads from appearing alongside hate speech, fake news and other harmful content. Big tech companies, meanwhile, want to be seen as taking action on the issue to fend off calls for more regulation. Also read: Watch: Nigerian teacher offers free Mathematics classes through social media Under the deal, announced on Wednesday by the World Federation of Advertisers, common definitions would be adopted for forms of harmful content such as hate speech and bullying, and platforms would adopt harmonised reporting standards. The platforms agreed to have some practices reviewed by external auditors, and to give advertisers more control of what content is displayed alongside their ads. The deal comes less than six weeks before a polarising U.S. presidential election. "This is a significant milestone in the journey to rebuild trust online," said Luis Di Como, executive vice president of global media at Unilever, one of the world's biggest advertisers. "...Whilst change doesn't happen overnight, today marks an important step in the right direction." Carolyn Everson, Vice President for Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook, said the agreement "has aligned the industry on the brand safety floor and suitability framework, giving us all a unified language to move forward on the fight against hate online." SCEPTICAL Campaigners who want more regulation of social media companies have been sceptical of voluntary measures such as those announced on Wednesday. Also read: 'Misinformation, fake news': India calls out Pakistan over false propaganda on social media after Stanford Internet Observatory report "Any progress in reducing harmful online content is to be welcomed. However, up to now voluntary action from social media companies has rarely lived up to its initial promises. So time will tell how much of a difference this latest industry-led initiative will make," David Babbs of UK-based group Clean Up the Internet told Reuters by email. The Stop Hate for Profit campaign behind the Facebook boycott is backed by the Anti-Defamation League and NAACP, two of the oldest and biggest anti-racism campaign groups in the United States. The campaign did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. In a statement last week, it said: "Facebook’s failures lead to real-life violence and sow division, and we’re calling on the company to improve its policies. We need to urge people to vote and demand Facebook stop undermining our democracy. Enough is enough."

Advertisers and social media giants reach deal on steps to curb harmful content

Britain's regulator Ofcom will reportedly make <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/facebook-adds-tips-for-spotting-fake-news-14267">social media companies</a> such as Facebook and Twitter responsible for harmful content on their platforms.

Nicky Morgan, Britain's outgoing digital minister, was quoted saying that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-blocks-group-spreading-pro-trump-posts-from-fake-accounts-269435">platforms had resisted regulation</a> previously but "they understand now that actually regulation is coming."

Britain proposed new online safety laws last year that it said would be the toughest in the world. Former Prime Minister Theresa May reportedly said at the time she would put a legal "duty of care on internet companies to keep users safe online".

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/facebook-changes-algorithm-to-curb-tiny-group-of-spammers-17547">Facebook takes another step to curb spammers</a>

Companies would face big fines, with bosses also held personally accountable, the government said.

Governments globally are wrestling over how to better control the content on social media platforms, often blamed for encouraging abuse, the spread of online pornography and for influencing or manipulating voters.

Under the proposals to be announced on Wednesday, social media platforms will reportedly have to remove illegal content quickly and minimise the risk of it appearing at all.

A spokeswoman for the ministry refused to confirm the details or provide any comments by the minister.

Britain's regulator Ofcom will reportedly make social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter responsible for harmful content on their platforms. Nicky Morgan, Britain's outgoing digital minister, was quoted saying that platforms had resisted regulation previously but "they understand now that actually regulation is coming.

Britain's regulator Ofcom will reportedly make social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter responsible for harmful content on their platforms. Nicky Morgan, Britain's outgoing digital minister, was quoted saying that platforms had resisted regulation previously but "they understand now that actually regulation is coming." Britain proposed new online safety laws last year that it said would be the toughest in the world. Former Prime Minister Theresa May reportedly said at the time she would put a legal "duty of care on internet companies to keep users safe online". Also Read: Facebook takes another step to curb spammers Companies would face big fines, with bosses also held personally accountable, the government said. Governments globally are wrestling over how to better control the content on social media platforms, often blamed for encouraging abuse, the spread of online pornography and for influencing or manipulating voters. Under the proposals to be announced on Wednesday, social media platforms will reportedly have to remove illegal content quickly and minimise the risk of it appearing at all. A spokeswoman for the ministry refused to confirm the details or provide any comments by the minister.

Social media platforms to be held responsible by UK for harmful content

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg met French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday to discuss the French government's plans to take a more active role in policing harmful content posted on Facebook. Watch full video to know more.

Facebook under pressure to censor hate speech