Facebook Indecisive on Violent Content

It all started in May of this year when Facebook users found a video uploaded to the social network, depicting an actual beheading. A temporary ban on graphic content was then imposed in May following complaints regarding a huge number offensive materials. Facebook also removed the reported videos and said it was reviewing its policy on this type of graphic content.

Recently the company started to relax its stance. Last week Facebook announced that they will allow violent content such as beheading to be published, provided the intent is to raise awareness rather than celebrate violence. As an example, a graphic video of a woman's beheading that sparked outrage this spring was originally removed from Facebook under the May ban. This video was then allowed to return to the site as the ban was lifted.

As one may expect, this turn of events did not sit right with the public. The change in policy, first reported by the BBC, drew a wave of protest from Facebook users and others on Twitter, and Facebook was forced to again revise it. 

In a statement Facebook talked about how the site welcomes people sharing their experiences and promoting awareness of world issues. This they say sometimes means that graphic videos or content is shared which highlight subjects pertaining to human rights violations or terrorism.

A spokesperson for Facebook said it will allow users to post violent videos that appear to condemn the actions depicted. "If the video were being celebrated, or the actions in it encouraged, our approach would be different," a spokesperson told CNNMoney.

This means that Facebook is are not really sure themselves how to react to this. A very recent video depicts a man beating his two daughters with an electrical wire as punishment for them twerking. To my knowledge, this video is still live, however to Facebooks defense, most of the comments concerning this are negative. The up-loader has yet to comment on this which to me indicates that he is not taking a stand against it. 

Facebook is right (in theory anyhow) not to play the judge on whats right and wrong, whats inhumane and whats graphical information. I do think that a inappropriate flag needs to be installed, something that clearly indicates for the user that the material is graphic and should be viewed with caution. If it still turns out to be just sadistic, then please go ahead and remove it. 

X-stagram

In a funny twist of the geekier kind the first teaser for the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past was released yesterday. But before you start searching YouTube just yet, there is a twist to this; the video is (as of yet anyhow) still only available on Instagram. Close to 6 700 people have so far liked it, and it is spreading like wild fire.

Now why would 20th Century Fox decide to do this? My theory is as follows; more and more users today are accessing the Internet through mobile devices, actually is is pretty close to matching the regular desktop connections. With the young audience this is definitely true, where the smart phone is currently their number one source for Internet access.

Realizing this, 20th Century Fox looked at the different apps out there for making videos viral and found Instagram spearheading this specific task, something that is spot on. While YouTube do have an app, it is not nearly as simple or intuitive as Instagram when it comes to spreading and making videos viral.

The trailer will most likely make it on to YouTube and other video sharing sites soon (eat it Vine), but for now the only way to enjoy this teaser is on Instagram. Like it, share it, love it!