A graphic video of a man killing himself is being shared across social media platforms with Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter racing to have the content removed.
The social media giants are warning its user to be alert for the video, which has been circulating since last Sunday.
The graphic video is from a Facebook Live recording that a Mississippi man created last week of himself taking his own life.
Most concerning is the content spreading on TikTok, with internet trolls tricking TikTok users into watching the video by inserting the clip into seemingly harmless content.
And, one of the main features of TikTok is its For You Page, which aggregates videos into one main feed, meaning it can be hard for users to avoid the footage.
A TikTok spokesperson told BuzzFeed News: “Our systems have been automatically detecting and flagging these clips for violating our policies against content that displays, praises, glorifies, or promotes suicide,” she said.
“We are banning accounts that repeatedly try to upload clips, and we appreciate our community members who’ve reported content and warned others against watching, engaging, or sharing such videos on any platform out of respect for the person and their family.”
The TikTok community is attempting to stop the spread of the video and taking extra care to warn others about the imagery in the video. The start of the clip features a bearded man sitting in front of a computer screen.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
