[Boudica]

Isabella, a moderator for Facebook, hired under one of their largest Irish contractors called Covalen, gave evidence to a parliamentary committee recently. Moderators must sign strict NDAs and cannot discuss the contents of any of their tickets with anyone other than doctors and counsellors. A law firm and a union are fighting for freedom for moderators to speak out, and better psychological support, claiming that the 24/7 support team available to staff are not actually qualified psychiatrists, but wellness coaches and isn't sufficient enough. Read the full article here.

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“The high priority queues - the graphic violence, the child stuff, the exploitation and the suicides, people working from home don’t get that - the burden is put on us.”
Despite having family shielding at home, she was told to come into the office and developed anxiety, for which she now takes antidepressants.
“Every day was a nightmare,” she said, adding that the support given was “insufficient.”
Facebook says psychological help is available to all its moderators 24 hours a day, but Isabella claims its wellness coaches are not qualified psychiatrists.
“I was seeing the wellness team but didn’t feel I got the support I needed. I can’t say I left work feeling relieved or knowing I could go home and have a good night's sleep - that’s not possible,” she added.
“It would follow me home. I could just be watching TV at home and think back to one of the horrible, really graphic tickets.”

media captionMeet people who review Facebook's reported content
Sub-contracted staff are given 1.5 hours of "wellness" time a week, she says, which can be used for speaking to a wellness coach, going for walks or taking time out when feeling overwhelmed.
“It’s not enough. I’m now seeing the content I view in work in my dreams. I remember it, I experience it again and it is horrible.
“You never know what is going to come next and you have to watch it the full way through because they might have violators.”

Here's an interesting infographic (from Forbes, 2020) that indicates the share of things moderators deal with:

Facebook and other social media sites are under massive pressure, especially in recently, to control the content on their platforms. However, we ought to consider how this happens, and therefore, who actually does that job. While there are investments in automatic algorithms, they're still in an early stage where many mistakes are made. What are your thoughts on this issue?

[mothered]

the 24/7 support team available to staff are not actually qualified psychiatrists, but wellness coaches

You'd think that a company on the scale of Facebook, wouldn't have an Issue providing psychiatrists to every department as needed.

[Dismas]

As a moderator for something like Facebook they probably see some pretty vile stuff on a daily basis. As an administrator I've had to delete some pretty awful stuff (from suicide, to CP), but very rarely. If Facebook isn't providing them a shrink, they should source their own. Seeing that stuff regularly will definitely mess with your head.

[Boudica]

As a moderator for something like Facebook they probably see some pretty vile stuff on a daily basis. As an administrator I've had to delete some pretty awful stuff (from suicide, to CP), but very rarely. If Facebook isn't providing them a shrink, they should source their own. Seeing that stuff regularly will definitely mess with your head.

I think part of the issue is, Facebook is providing a wellness coach, and they think that it's enough to cover the "needing a shrink" issue. However, as good as they are, wellness coaches are not psychiatrists. And PTSD hands-down needs a psychiatrist. Sure a wellness coach can supplement, but they're not going to help you through seeing someone get beheaded, or some awful CP.

[echo_blini]

I've certainly never been a moderator of anything, let alone Facebook administration, but the whole reason I left social media sites altogether was because I wanted to get away from those things. It was emotionally draining and psychologically disturbing, and yet it was basically my only way of staying in touch with a few people I cared about, but eventually, enough was enough, and I got sick of his addicted I was to it, actively looking for things to rile me up in the same way news corporations seek to. I feel a lot more stable and grounded now, and I'm putting more energy into my own life.

[Boudica]

I've certainly never been a moderator of anything, let alone Facebook administration, but the whole reason I left social media sites altogether was because I wanted to get away from those things. It was emotionally draining and psychologically disturbing, and yet it was basically my only way of staying in touch with a few people I cared about, but eventually, enough was enough, and I got sick of his addicted I was to it, actively looking for things to rile me up in the same way news corporations seek to. I feel a lot more stable and grounded now, and I'm putting more energy into my own life.

Wow, I'm glad to hear you've had such a positive experience coming away from it. I've somewhat forced social media algorithms to feed me nothing but art and cat gifs. The odd moments when I venture onto it, it's usually nothing but adorable or pretty things. Any drama or controversy immediately makes me switch off. I won't live long enough to justify the emotion and investment that people put into those things. So, it's so good to hear you stepped away from it all! Now, if only I could get my older relatives to do the same.. xD

[echo_blini]

I've certainly never been a moderator of anything, let alone Facebook administration, but the whole reason I left social media sites altogether was because I wanted to get away from those things. It was emotionally draining and psychologically disturbing, and yet it was basically my only way of staying in touch with a few people I cared about, but eventually, enough was enough, and I got sick of his addicted I was to it, actively looking for things to rile me up in the same way news corporations seek to. I feel a lot more stable and grounded now, and I'm putting more energy into my own life.

Wow, I'm glad to hear you've had such a positive experience coming away from it. I've somewhat forced social media algorithms to feed me nothing but art and cat gifs. The odd moments when I venture onto it, it's usually nothing but adorable or pretty things. Any drama or controversy immediately makes me switch off. I won't live long enough to justify the emotion and investment that people put into those things. So, it's so good to hear you stepped away from it all! Now, if only I could get my older relatives to do the same.. xD

I feel like Facebook, despite being marketed as bringing community together and socialization etc, is a huge detriment to all of it by design.

[Boudica]

I've certainly never been a moderator of anything, let alone Facebook administration, but the whole reason I left social media sites altogether was because I wanted to get away from those things. It was emotionally draining and psychologically disturbing, and yet it was basically my only way of staying in touch with a few people I cared about, but eventually, enough was enough, and I got sick of his addicted I was to it, actively looking for things to rile me up in the same way news corporations seek to. I feel a lot more stable and grounded now, and I'm putting more energy into my own life.

Wow, I'm glad to hear you've had such a positive experience coming away from it. I've somewhat forced social media algorithms to feed me nothing but art and cat gifs. The odd moments when I venture onto it, it's usually nothing but adorable or pretty things. Any drama or controversy immediately makes me switch off. I won't live long enough to justify the emotion and investment that people put into those things. So, it's so good to hear you stepped away from it all! Now, if only I could get my older relatives to do the same.. xD

I feel like Facebook, despite being marketed as bringing community together and socialization etc, is a huge detriment to all of it by design.

I don't feel like it was the case 10-15 years ago, but it is definitely the case nowadays. I'm aware twitter has been studying potential detrimental effects of their algorithms, so I'm looking forward to see what they say when they finish the study.

[Miamoo]

Social media including Facebook is full of fake and disturbing news. I pity the moderator and I am not surprised at her condition. Facebook as also other medias need to have some sort of restraint on some of the things they promote to be true. I too had bad experience with Facebook but have not left it altogether as lot of my friends are on FB. But probably a day will come when I too decide to leave it for good. I am sure life will change for the better.

[mothered]

Social media including Facebook is full of fake and disturbing news.

In my view, Facebook Is a total mess.

Its data leaks/privacy disclosure pretty much speaks for Itself. In terms of usability, each to their own.