Facebook is instituting a new feature that allows concerned users to report someone who might be contemplating suicide. The Facebook team will then determine if authorities need to be summoned. The program has been in beta-testing for about three months now and Facebook says they have received no hoaxes.
In December, a charity worker posted that she felt like killing herself. While people commented on her status, authorities were not alerted. The woman overdosed and died. Facebook insists this is not in response to that specific case, but to hopefully prevent any further similar cases.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
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