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.
Molly Russell’s family and friends have campaigned for better internet safety since her death in 2017. Pic: Family handout
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.
It sent more than 44,000 self-harm prevention and support resources to Snapchat users in these cases.
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.
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