Facebook launches new feature to protect people from online harassment

Facebook has launched new “comment moderation” and reporting tools to protect its users from online bullying and harassment.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Antigone Davis, the social network’s Global Head of Safety, said users can have the option to delete or hide multiple comments in their post.

Davis added that the feature is available on desktops and on Android. The feature will be available soon for Apple users.

“We’re introducing a way for people to hide or delete multiple comments at once from the options menu of their post. This feature is rolling out on desktop and Android and will be available on iOS in the coming months,” Davis said.

Aside from controlling comments, Facebook users may also report a post if a family member or friend is being bullied or harassed. Facebook’s Community Operations team will review the post while keeping the report as anonymous.

“If you see a friend or family member being bullied or harassed, now you can report someone on their behalf via the menu above the post that you are concerned about. Once reported, our Community Operations team will review the post, keep your report anonymous, and determine whether it violates our Community Standards,” Davis said.

Public figures may soon be safe from online harassment as Facebook will enhance its policies such as prohibiting severe attacks against public figures.

“We will further expand our policies to better protect public figures against harassment regardless of age. For example, severe attacks that directly engage a public figure will not be allowed under the new policy,” Davis added.

Facebook is also planning to create tools to easily search and block offensive words in comments. /ee