Site linked to teen suicides unveils new safety features

The website linked to the suicides of two Irish schoolgirls last year and a 14-year-old girl in Britain earlier this month has finally introduced new safety measures in a bid to tackle cyberbullying.

Ask.fm is to introduce a “bullying/harassment” button, investigate reports of abusive behaviour within 24 hours, and hire more moderators and a safety officer.

Simon Grehan, an internet safety officer with webwise.ie, said the measures were a step in the right direction for Ask.fm, but said the site still has major credibility issues and is seen as “toxic”.