FACEBOOK HAS TODAY announced a new service aimed at helping people who express suicidal thoughts on the site.

There have been several high-profile cases of suicidal expressions on the social networking site, which has 800 million users across the globe.

Last March, Facebook also revamped its procedures on how to report bullying, offensive content and malicious or fake profiles due to the harassment suffered by some users.

The new programme, launched today, will enable users to instantly connect with a crisis counsellor through Facebook’s “chat” messaging system.

Facebook will not troll though users’ messages, but instead encourage people who spot a suicidal thought on a friend’s page to report it by clicking a link next to the comment. An email will then be sent to the person who posted the suicidal comment, encouraging them to call the hotline or click on a link to begin a confidential chat.

We’d like to ask – do you think Facebook is doing enough to protect vulnerable users?

Poll Results:

It isn't Facebook's responsibility (328)

No - but this is a good start (250)

No (202)

Yes (67)

Yes
No
No - but this is a good start
It isn't Facebook's responsibility

Read: Facebook aims to help prevent suicide>

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Poll: Is Facebook doing enough to protect vulnerable users?

Poll Results:

Read: Facebook aims to help prevent suicide>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.