Social Media

New Facebook Live Tools Help Prevent Suicide

The company plans to integrate its existing suicide prevention tools into Facebook Live and Messenger to better help people in distress.

New Facebook Live Tools Help Prevent Suicide
Facebook

Facebook has unveiled some new features that it hopes will help prevent suicide among its users.

The social media giant says it will integrate its existing suicide prevention tools into Facebook Live and Messenger to help people in distress.

In January, a 14-year-old girl and a 33-year-old man both took their own lives and streamed it live on Facebook.

So if you hear a friend say something on Facebook Live that concerns you, you can now reach out directly and report the video to the company.

4 Charged After Chicago Man's Beating Was Streamed Live On Facebook
4 Charged After Chicago Man's Beating Was Streamed Live On Facebook

4 Charged After Chicago Man's Beating Was Streamed Live On Facebook

The accused are facing a slew of charges, including kidnapping, battery and hate crimes.

LEARN MORE

From there, Facebook will give that friend a set of resources, like reaching out to someone familiar or contacting a help line for support.

And the company says it will use artificial intelligence to help identify posts from someone who might be contemplating suicide.

Facebook has offered suicide prevention services for years, and it expanded those services last year. The new tools will be tested over the next several months.