19/08/2013
Ask.fm Announces New Safety Measures
Ask.fm has announced new changes to safety measures on its website, following the death of a 14-year-old girl by suicide.
The online social media website said it would view all reports of abuse within 24 hours and would make its 'report button' more visible.
The site also said it would hire more staff, including a safety officer and would limit the access of unregistered users.
Ask.fm is a popular networking website that enables users to send each other questions anonymously.
Hannah Smith, a 14-year-old from Lutterworth in Leicestershire, was found hanged in her bedroom on 2 August, reportedly as a result of bullying she experienced on the site.
Latvian-based Ask.fm was then pressured into reviewing its report and abuse policies. It has now said some of the new changes would be live by September.
In a statement, the website said: "At Ask.fm we want our users to be able to have fun, share information, make friends and express themselves freely.
"We also want them – particularly our younger users – to be able to do this in a safe environment."
The company said it would be targeting policies in reporting and moderation, registration and corporate visibility.
It has also vowed to recruit more moderators to patrol the site.
(IT/JP)
The online social media website said it would view all reports of abuse within 24 hours and would make its 'report button' more visible.
The site also said it would hire more staff, including a safety officer and would limit the access of unregistered users.
Ask.fm is a popular networking website that enables users to send each other questions anonymously.
Hannah Smith, a 14-year-old from Lutterworth in Leicestershire, was found hanged in her bedroom on 2 August, reportedly as a result of bullying she experienced on the site.
Latvian-based Ask.fm was then pressured into reviewing its report and abuse policies. It has now said some of the new changes would be live by September.
In a statement, the website said: "At Ask.fm we want our users to be able to have fun, share information, make friends and express themselves freely.
"We also want them – particularly our younger users – to be able to do this in a safe environment."
The company said it would be targeting policies in reporting and moderation, registration and corporate visibility.
It has also vowed to recruit more moderators to patrol the site.
(IT/JP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.