Facebook spin doctor Nick Clegg claims it is ‘sometimes better’ to keep suicide images on social media as it can HELP people to find support
The former deputy PM, who is now a senior executive at Facebook, was slammed by critics for having 'drunk the Facebook Kool-Aid' and doing 'too little too late'
NICK Clegg claims it is “sometimes better” to keep suicide images on social media despite links to children’s deaths.
The former deputy PM, now a senior executive at Facebook, waded in as he tried to defend his new paymasters’ ethics.
He was speaking in the wake of claims that Facebook-owned Instagram was responsible for the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell.
She killed herself after looking at self-harm pictures.
Sir Nick, now living in a £7million California mansion, insisted Facebook was ready to change everything it was doing to get it right.
But he added: “I know this sounds counter-intuitive but they do say that, in some instances, it’s better to keep some of the distressing images up if that helps people make a cry for help and get the support they need.”
His controversial remarks are bound to incense Molly’s family, from Harrow, North West London.
They claim Instagram helped kill her.
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Sir Nick told the BBC he would not let his children view graphic content.
He insisted: “We’re already taking steps soon to blur images, block a number of hashtags that have come to light and, thirdly, to continue to work with the Samaritans and other organisations.”
Tory MP Damian Collins said: “Nick Clegg has clearly already drunk the Facebook Kool-Aid. This is all too little, too late.”
Kids hide 'true self'
Children are using multiple social media profiles to project a “picture- perfect self” as bullying increases online, a report has found.
Ofcom says the number of children being attacked on the net and through messages has nearly doubled. It says young people often use multiple social media profiles to project different versions of themselves, the truest versions of which have their access limited to just a few close friends.
Ofcom has also revealed children find it “too much effort” to talk to others in real-life and prefer to watch YouTube.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit ’s website.