Facebook introduces new tool to tackle harassment online

Facebook has introduced a new tool aimed at tackling harassment on its social media platform.

The feature automatically sends users an alert if it detects another person is impersonating their account by using their name and profile photo.

The safety tool has been tested in parts of the world since last November but is being rolled out to all users this week, according to Julie De Bailliencourt, Facebook's Dublin-based safety policy manager.

While she said impersonation was not a widespread problem on Facebook, it was a source of concern among women.

Ms De Bailliencourt made the announcement as Facebook and Google join forces to help promote safety online at a child safety summit in Dublin Thursday.

Protecting children

Non-governmental groups from 18 countries in

Europe

, the Middle East and

Africa

are due to attend the event to discuss ways of better protecting children online.

Brittany Smith, of Google’s public policy team, said the search engine was working in collaboration with Facebook to help prevent access to inappropriate material.

Ms Smith said that while Google’s philosophy has been that its search service should reflect the whole web, it had revised its policy and is now removing links to “revenge porn” where it is requested to do so.

Facebook, too, says it has a rapid-response service to users who complain about nude or sexually explicit images shared without their consent.

Ms Smith said Google was examining plans to help educate thousands of schoolchildren in Ireland about how to stay safe online.