Re:Facebook adds Samaritans suicide risk alert system
by ebiester on Monday March 07, 2011 @07:47PM
(#2299363)
Please don't be abused....
Please don't be abused....
Please oh please oh please don't be abused.
Please, ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend with a facebook password, avoid the temptation to post a fake suicide note and then report using someone else's account.
Or middle schoolers who think this would be a funny practical joke.
Re:Facebook adds Samaritans suicide risk alert system
by ozziegooen on Monday March 07, 2011 @08:00PM
(#2299390)
So far it hasn't been at all, that was the point of the test:
"The system had been operating in a trial mode, without publicity for three months, during which it received several genuine reports and no hoaxes, according to Samaritans."
Re:Facebook adds Samaritans suicide risk alert system
by jarin on Monday March 07, 2011 @09:00PM
(#2299528)
It should be fairly difficult to abuse, since you need to link to the suicidal post in the contact form. I assume a human at Facebook will look at it before sending in the SWAT team.
Re:Facebook adds Samaritans suicide risk alert system
by ozziegooen on Monday March 07, 2011 @08:03PM
(#2299401)
This makes Facebook seem more creepy. To me and anyone already concerned they have to much user information.
One alternative would be to have Facebook sponsor a new independent local charity to do exactly this. People can relate to a local charity, they can't relate to Facebook.
Re:Facebook adds Samaritans suicide risk alert system
by nandemo on Monday March 07, 2011 @10:09PM
(#2299667)
I find it funny that they never bother to explain what or who are the Samaritans. It's probably a charity but I like to imagine they're talking about the real Samaritans:
Re:Facebook adds Samaritans suicide risk alert system
by chris_j on Monday March 07, 2011 @11:01PM
(#2299764)
Very funny. It's referring to a charity, of course, which is extremely well known in the UK (and in Ireland, if Wikipedia is to be believed). Here is the correct Wikipedia page:
The charity is most well known for the phone line that it runs, staffed by volunteers, that anyone can call if they are feeling suicidal or just desperate and need someone to talk to. An ex girlfriend of mine worked as a Samaritans volunteer for a short while. She said that it was very hard work (manning the phones all night and dealing with a fair few prank/abusive callers) and also extremely worthwhile and rewarding.
Please don't be abused....
Please oh please oh please don't be abused.
Please, ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend with a facebook password, avoid the temptation to post a fake suicide note and then report using someone else's account.
Or middle schoolers who think this would be a funny practical joke.
Ever had a sinking feeling?
"The system had been operating in a trial mode, without publicity for three months, during which it received several genuine reports and no hoaxes, according to Samaritans."
Doesn't sound too bad.
One alternative would be to have Facebook sponsor a new independent local charity to do exactly this. People can relate to a local charity, they can't relate to Facebook.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritans_(charity)
The charity is most well known for the phone line that it runs, staffed by volunteers, that anyone can call if they are feeling suicidal or just desperate and need someone to talk to. An ex girlfriend of mine worked as a Samaritans volunteer for a short while. She said that it was very hard work (manning the phones all night and dealing with a fair few prank/abusive callers) and also extremely worthwhile and rewarding.
Not saying I agree with him, but he did defend his assertion.