Latest news with #OnlineSafetyAct
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Over half of top TikTok mental health videos contain misinformation, study finds
Listen to article More than half of the 100 most popular mental health videos on TikTok contain misleading or inaccurate information, a Guardian investigation has revealed, prompting concern from mental health professionals and UK MPs. The analysis examined top videos under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, with input from psychologists, psychiatrists, and academic experts. Of the reviewed posts, 52 were found to contain some form of misinformation, particularly around conditions such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence. Examples of misleading content included simplistic 'quick-fix' advice, such as eating an orange in the shower to ease anxiety, as well as unproven claims about supplements like saffron and magnesium glycinate. Some videos promoted the idea that trauma could be 'healed' in under an hour or mislabelled everyday emotional experiences as symptoms of serious mental illness. Dr David Okai, a consultant neuropsychiatrist at King's College London, warned that misuse of clinical terms such as 'anxiety', 'wellbeing', and 'mental disorder' could lead to confusion about what constitutes a diagnosable mental health condition. Former health minister and NHS psychiatrist Dan Poulter said several posts pathologised normal feelings, risking the trivialisation of genuine mental illness. Psychologist Amber Johnston added that the trauma-related content oversimplified complex conditions like PTSD, often presenting misleading 'universal solutions'. TikTok stated that it removes harmful content and directs users to official NHS sources when they search for terms like anxiety or depression. The platform defended users' rights to share personal experiences, but critics argue that algorithms often amplify emotionally charged misinformation. Chi Onwurah MP, who chairs the Commons technology committee, said the findings raise 'significant concerns' about the efficacy of the Online Safety Act (OSA) in tackling false and harmful health advice online. Other MPs echoed calls for stronger regulation, warning of the psychological harm misinformation may cause. Experts emphasised that mental illness can only be accurately diagnosed by qualified professionals following a thorough assessment. They urged the public to rely on evidence-based guidance from trusted health institutions. The government says it is acting through the OSA to compel platforms to reduce harmful content, particularly material posing risks to children.
Int'l Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Meta Criticized as Online Harassment Rises After Moderation Changes
Meta, the social media giant behind Facebook and Instagram, is facing significant criticism following recent changes to its content moderation policies. According to Meta's own Q1 2025 Integrity Report, online harassment and hate speech have risen since the company implemented a major moderation shake-up earlier this year. This surge has sparked concerns among regulators, users, and advocacy groups, raising questions about the balance between free expression and online safety. Meta's Content Moderation Overhaul: What Changed? In early 2025, Meta announced a sweeping revision of its content moderation policies aimed at prioritising free speech. The company reduced its reliance on automated systems to remove content and narrowed its definition of hate speech to focus only on direct and dehumanising attacks. Additionally, Meta replaced third-party fact-checkers with community-sourced notes—a method similar to that used by rival platform X, though with stricter guidelines and oversight mechanisms in place. Meta claims these changes have led to a 50% decrease in moderation errors , meaning fewer posts were wrongly taken down. However, the cost of this shift appears to be a rise in harmful content slipping through the cracks. Surge in Online Harassment and Hate Speech As reported by Meta's Q1 2025 Integrity Report , bullying and harassment content increased slightly but noticeably following the moderation update. Bullying content rose from 0.06–0.07% to 0.07–0.08%, while violent content on the platforms also saw an uptick to 0.09%. These figures may seem small but represent millions of additional harmful posts viewed by users. This increase is largely attributed to Meta's effort to reduce censorship and errors, yet critics argue the company has sacrificed user safety in the process. Many users have voiced frustration over the perceived lack of protection from abusive content, with some calling for more robust moderation measures. Regulatory Backlash and Public Opinion in the UK The moderation shake-up comes at a time when governments, especially in the UK, are tightening regulations on online platforms. The UK's Online Safety Act , set to take effect in July 2025, mandates social media companies to swiftly remove illegal content such as terrorist material, child sexual abuse, and fraud. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, and in extreme cases, service shutdowns. Public opinion supports tougher moderation measures. A global survey found that 79% of respondents agree that incitements to violence should be removed from social media platforms. In the UK, the debate continues on finding the right balance between protecting free speech and ensuring users are safe from digital abuse and misinformation. What Lies Ahead for Meta? Meta's moderation shake-up has ignited a crucial debate on how social media platforms should manage harmful content without overstepping into censorship. With regulatory bodies like Ofcom increasing scrutiny under the UK Online Safety Act, Meta faces growing pressure to refine its approach. The company is likely to continue evolving its policies to better address the concerns of both users and regulators. Ultimately, the challenge lies in creating an online environment that fosters free expression while safeguarding against harassment and abuse—a balance that is far from easy to achieve. Originally published on IBTimes UK
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
Mum calls for action after daughter attacked and footage shared on social media
A Glasgow mum has called for more to be done after her daughter was attacked and the footage was shared online. The 11-year-old girl was followed into a flat close on Skirsa Street in the Cadder area of the city by a group of youths around 6pm on Friday, May 23. An assault took place, with some of the group recording it on their phones. The footage, seen by STV, shows the girl fighting back as she is punched and dragged to the floor. A group of three other girls proceeded to kick, punch and stamp on her while she was on the ground. The victim's mum said: 'We expected the worst, but she only has a scratch on her back, and her ribs are a bit sore because they stomped on her. 'Mentally, she is not good. On Sunday, she got a text message saying that a fake Snapchat account had been created and that the video had been posted. 'She didn't want to go back to school.' The mum believes more deterrents need to be put in place to stop the attacks and also the sharing of the violent footage on social. She explained: 'Something needs to be done because it is getting worse and the groups are getting bigger. 'There should be a consequence for young ones attacking kids and for those filming it. Lumps and bumps heal, but mentally it stays with you. 'If there are no consequences, it doesn't stop these groups from doing it again. 'I'm her mum and I've not stopped crying.' Police Scotland has confirmed an investigation into the assault is still ongoing. A spokesperson from the force said: 'We received a report of the assault of an 11-year-old girl in the Skirsa Street area of Glasgow, which happened around 6pm on Friday, May 23, 2025. 'The girl was taken to hospital for treatment. 'Enquiries are ongoing.' Regulation of internet services in Scotland is reserved for the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government says it is continuing to engage in how it implements the Online Safety Act to strengthen protections and make the internet a safer place for children and young people. In September 2024, a national campaign was launched to support young people in navigating social media safely and preventing violence. It is due to be re-run again later this year. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Any level of violence is totally unacceptable, and we are determined to tackle and prevent it. 'That is why, through our Violence Prevention Framework, we are working with partners to deliver a range of activities in schools and communities to help prevent young people from experiencing violence. 'We launched the 'Quit fighting For Likes' campaign last September, along with teaching resources, to deliver messaging to young people about the dangers of sharing harmful material online. 'This was repeated in April and will be re-run again this year. Since 2020, we have invested over £400,000 to support young people to navigate online spaces and use screen time in a safe way.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
America is coming for Britain's social media censors
In 2021, after the barbaric Islamist murder of Sir David Amess MP, the response of Britain's political class was as baffling as it was shameful: it decided to ramp up censorship of the internet. Somehow, MPs' vital personal safety came to be equated with the nebulous concept of 'safety' online, along with the protection of 'democracy' from hurty words and unapproved opinions. The Online Safety Act (OSA) was born, handing vast new powers to Ofcom to 'regulate' what could be said online. Well, that was then, and this is now. Twitter, the most influential platform for political news, has become X, and its new owner Elon Musk has made online free speech his mission. The Trump administration has done the same, and with Britain increasingly viewed in MAGA-world as something of a police state, this has set up a clash with the new regime in Washington.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
British officials face US travel ban over social media censorship
British officials face being banned from the United States if they are found to have breached the free speech rights of American citizens. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said foreign officials 'complicit in censoring' American citizens and media companies will be denied entry to the US. The visa ban could apply to individuals working for Ofcom, which is the regulator responsible for policing Britain's online safety laws. The US State Department has repeatedly raised concerns over the laws' capacity to curtail freedom of expression. The announcement is understood to have taken British officials by surprise. Diplomats were seeking clarity from the White House last night. Announcing the measure, Mr Rubio said: 'For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights. 'It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on US citizens or US residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on US soil.' He went on to highlight online, saying: 'It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States.' Britain's online harms laws have drawn the ire of free speech advocates and economists, who warn their broad provisions to tackle harmful online content could lead to excessive censorship and deter investment from American tech giants. The Online Safety Act is despised by Donald Trump's administration because of the massive fines it can levy on US tech companies. Under the law, social media giants face fines of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of their annual revenue if they fail to remove harmful content from their platforms. 'In some instances, foreign officials have taken flagrant censorship actions against US tech companies and US citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so,' Mr Rubio said. 'We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech.' In the aftermath of the Southport attack in which Axel Rudakubana murdered three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, officials threatened to arrest, prosecute and extradite American officials who violated hate speech laws. 'We will throw the full force of the law at people. And whether you're in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you, Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said at the time. Mr Rubio's move is the latest in a series of highly unusual interventions by the Trump administration who are increasingly concerned about freedom of expression in the UK. On Sunday, The Telegraph revealed the White House was 'monitoring' the case of British woman, Lucy Department officials are examining the treatment of Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor, who was jailed for 31 months over a social media post about the Southport attacks. Campaigners raised her case with Mr Rubio as part of a wider effort to challenge what they regard as draconian hate speech laws across Europe. Before the intervention, The Telegraph revealed Mr Trump had sent US officials to meet five British pro-life activists over censorship concerns. The diplomats from the US bureau of democracy, human rights and labour travelled to London in March in an effort to 'affirm the importance of freedom of expression in the UK and across Europe'. They met with officials from the Foreign Office and challenged Ofcom on the Online Safety Act. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
