The social media site Snapchat is “fundamentally failing to act on suicide and self-harm content”, according to the Molly Rose Foundation.
Just 2% of reported suicide and self-harm content on Snapchat was removed between January and July last year, according to Snapchat’s latest transparency report.
There were 289 posts relating to suicide and self-harm that were proactively discovered and dealt with by the company.
“For Snapchat to be identifying such a minuscule amount of content on their platform just illustrates they are absolutely asleep at the wheel when it comes to these risks,” Andy Burrows, chief executive of the suicide prevention charity, said.
Snapchat is one of the world’s biggest social platforms, with more than 850 million monthly active users, according to the company.
With that many users, Mr Burrows said it was “inconceivable” that the social media platform would find so little self-harm content that violated its guidelines.
The Molly Rose Foundation was set up following the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing posts related to suicide, depression and anxiety online.
Since her death, the foundation has campaigned for better internet safety and regulations.
“The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority,” a Snapchat spokesperson told Sky News.
“Snapchat was designed to be different to other platforms, with no open newsfeed or live stream, and public content is moderated to help limit the virality of harmful content.
“We prohibit content that promotes or encourages self-harm or suicide, and remove such content as soon as we become aware of it.”
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The company said it leaves non-graphic “cries for help” on the platform so friends and family can see and offer their support.
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It sent more than 44,000 self-harm prevention and support resources to Snapchat users in these cases.
The NSPCC gave Sky News some tips for young people who see distressing content online:
Talk to someone
If you do see something upsetting while online, you don’t have to cope alone.
It’s always worth talking to an adult you trust about the content you have seen.
This could be your parents, or it could be somewhere like Childline.
Take action to help others not see it
It can help to report the content directly to the platform or website.
Avoid sharing or commenting on the content, even if it’s just to say you disagree.
The more you engage with posts, the more they will be shared with others like your followers and friends on your accounts.
Unfollow accounts that make you feel worried or encourage harmful behaviour
It’s important to think about whether the accounts you’re following are impacting negatively on how you feel.
It’s best to unfollow accounts that make you feel like things won’t change or that encourage you to do things which might hurt you.
Remember not everything online is as it seems
Not everything you see is accurate or real, even if it’s been shared by accounts that you like or trust.
People don’t always show what their lives are really like on social media.
Use wellbeing and safety settings
Explore [safety] settings wth your parents or carers and make sure you have the right ones turned on to help you have safe and healthy online experiences.
Take a break
When looking at social media isn’t making you feel good, taking a break and doing something to keep yourself busy can really help.
You could try listening to music or a podcast, going for a walk, or playing a game.
Get support with your feelings
If you are experiencing feelings of self-harm, it’s important to get support from people around you and speak to a GP or nurse.
Children and young people can talk to Childline about anything they have seen that has been distressing to them.
The service provides a safe, confidential place for children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Children can speak to Childline on 0800 1111, or chat online at childline.org.uk.
