Through the years we have seen how entrenched Facebook has become in our everyday lives. Today, it’s not unusual for Facebook users who commit suicide to leave posts or videos on their wall. In order to pro-actively tackle this problem, the popular social media platform has now rolled out a suite of new AI tools specifically designed to detect posts or videos which may raise the red flag that the particular user is suicidal. In instances when disturbing posts essentially cries for help, identifying such posts sooner than later can help save a lot of lives.
The new push from Facebook will identify a situation that requires more attention as the social network’s new software can analyze posts as well as live video streams for times when a person might be having suicidal thoughts. To your surprise, the AI software is developed to even take comments on a problematic video or post into account, with Facebook registering that comments such as ‘Are you okay?’ strongly indicates that something is wrong. The artificial intelligence initiative is now available in different parts of the globe and soon it will make its way to the U.S. Ironically, Facebook has made it known the feature will be not available across the European countries.
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How Facebook’s New Suit of AI Works?
Here is how the new initiative actually works:
- According to Facebook, they are using AI to prioritize the sequence in which its team reviews reported posts, live streams, and It ensures they can get the right resources to people with severe distress and, where it is required, and swiftly alert the first responders.
- Context is critical for the review teams therefore; Facebook has developed ways to enhance the tools to gain people help as quickly as possible. For instance, reviewers can swiftly recognize which points within a video have received increased levels of comments, reports, and reactions from other people on Facebook. Tools like these aid Facebook reviewers better understand whether someone may be in distress and they should get them help.
- Besides leveraging these tools, Facebook is also using automation so its teams can get their hands on the contact information of the appropriate first responders more quickly.
Facebook has also divulged that its teams are working around the clock, 365 days a year, to monitor posts on the social network to indicate if a user is suicidal. At the same time, the popular social media platform is closely working with support groups and first-responders to aid distressed users as quickly as possible.
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Is it a Failsafe Solution?
Sure, it’s a great initiative, but keep in mind it’s not a failsafe solution. That’s why experts are of the view that parents must lead by example and aid their children understand the pressures of the social media. Let them know that the social media is only a way to connect and communicate with others. The number of ‘likes’, ‘shares’ or ‘followers’ isn’t important either and doesn’t determine anything.
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How Can Parents Help Children Understand Social Media Pressures?
It is important to stress to your kids that in real life it’s not necessary that people should exactly be how they present themselves on social media. According to Dr. Jillian Roberts, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Victoria, social media only works well for you when it creates a genuine opportunity for sharing something.
She says that going to social sites is like going to a party with 50 people and you are probably not going to have a good conversation with each of them. But, if you go to a party with fewer people, let’s say 10, chances are that you will truly connect with most of them. This shows it’s the true, authentic connection and sharing that matters the most.
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Remember, it’s Inevitable for Your Children to Make Mistakes
Parents should realize that no matter how hard they try to educate their children about the hazards of social media, they are going to make mistakes when it comes to how they act on social networks or what they share. So what’s important is that when this happens, embrace the opportunity to guide and teach them, rather shaming them.
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Monitor Facebook Messenger and Other Social Networking Apps
Monitoring Facebook Messenger and other social networking apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Line, Instagram, Tinder and other services will enable parents to stay in the know of things. Leveraging a spy app to Monitor Facebook Messenger will allow you to snoop on all the conversations and or activities that are taking place behind your back.
Rather waiting for Facebook’s new suit of AI to raise a red flag, you can instantly find out if someone is harassing or bullying your child with a spyware to monitor Facebook Messenger. While accessing their social activities and updates it will give you an insight if something is wrong with them or they are having any suicidal thoughts.
It’s reassuring for parents to have something like this at their disposal. Not only the app to monitor Facebook Messenger will let parents dispel or affirm their doubts, but also empower them to actively monitor their kids’ online activities. Such as their browsing history, bookmarked sites, GPS location, phone call details etc. It will help them recognize if the children are appropriately using their mobile devices.
