PARENTS have been urged to closely monitor their children’s online activity after a graphic video showing a man killing himself was shared on social media.
The video was originally livestreamed on Facebook before being uploaded to TikTok, which is hugely popular with young people.
Clips of the footage has been circulating on the platform for several days and has also been shared on Twitter and Instagram.
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TikTok quickly took down the original video but users have been re-uploading it to the platform, with some users hiding it in regular videos, cutting to it without warning.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that several schools in St Helens have written to parents to warn them of the graphic footage.
Cllr Sue Murphy, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for developing young people, said. “I’d urge parents and carers of children and young people in our borough to keep a close eye on their online activity.
“Social media can be a dark place at times, but our children and young people should never be exposed to such distressing material.
“Young people can be sensitive around particular issues which is perfectly normal as they find themselves and come to learn more about the world they live in.
“They should know, however, that they don’t need to face these problems alone and help is available if they are worried or concerned, whether its reaching out to a parent, carer, family member, friend, teacher, or service.
“It’s good to talk.”
TikTok, which is based in Beijing, said it is taking down the footage as it finds it.
A spokesman for the technology company said: “On Sunday night, clips of a suicide that had originally been livestreamed on Facebook circulated on other platforms, including TikTok.
“Our systems, together with our moderation teams, have been detecting and blocking these clips for violating our policies against content that displays, praises, glorifies, or promotes suicide.
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“We are banning accounts that repeatedly try to upload clips, and we appreciate our community members who’ve reported content and warned others against watching, engaging, or sharing such videos on any platform out of respect for the person and their family.
“If anyone in our community is struggling with thoughts of suicide or concerned about someone who is, we encourage them to seek support, and we provide access to hotlines directly from our app and in our Safety Center.”
To find out more about support groups available and the signs to look out for if you’re worried about someone and how to talk to someone about suicide, visit oktoaskcampaign.co.uk
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