Facebook launches mental health resources after criticism of platform’s effects on children

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Facebook announced Thursday that it was launching new mental health resources, tools and programs across all of its apps, after being criticized by a former U.S. congressional employee for the social media platform’s negative effects on children.

“For World Mental Health Day on October 10, we are launching new mental health resources, tools and programs in our apps. We are working with mental health experts and organizations around the world to connect people with the support they need, and we’re “launching new content and tools to encourage people to start conversations about mental health,” Facebook said.

The company explained that it has partnered with many mental health experts to introduce new tools to its emotional health resource center, including resource cards on tips for positive mental health and guides. mental health support for various communities such as Black, Asian, Latino and other communities.

With the help of Facebook-owned WhatsApp, UNICEF launched a new global mental health chatbot that offers communication tips as well as new suicide prevention tools.

Former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen said in testimony to Congress on Tuesday that the social media network would have been aware that it was inflicting damage on the mental health of adolescents, but failed to do so. much to prevent content that promotes “hate and division” as well as content that creates a toxic environment for teenage girls. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has denied Haugen’s claims.

Source: ANI / Sputnik

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