I have sent this letter out to several TV stations here in Calgary as well as several in the States. I have disabled right click on my blog, but if you would like to share the letter, please send me an email and I will send it to you. Thank you.
To Whom It May Concern:
On Thursday, January 16th, 2014, I was perusing photographs and reading stories on one of the Down syndrome sites on Facebook. I have joined several sites that support parents who have a child diagnosed with Down syndrome. These sites are to connect with others and gain knowledge on a topic that we were not familiar with before getting pregnant with our second daughter, Adele.
http://aperfectextrachromosome.blogspot.ca/
I came across a message from a young adult that read “fuck u retards” and he tagged one of his friends in the post. I was so disgusted but knew that if I reported the comment to Facebook, they would take action as this goes against their Community Standards.
Hate Speech
Facebook does not permit hate speech, but distinguishes between serious and humorous speech. While we encourage you to challenge ideas, institutions, events, and practices, we do not permit individuals or groups to attack others based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition.
The response that I received from Facebook.
This post wasn't removed
Thank you for taking the time to report something that you feel may violate our Community Standards. Reports like yours are an important part of making Facebook a safe and welcoming environment. We reviewed the post you reported for containing hate speech or symbols and found it doesn't violate our Community Standards.
I am confused as to why this would not be removed as it does clearly go against the Community Standards on Facebook. It is verbally attacking others based on a disability. It is verbally attacking all 118 000 members.
I understand that this is possibly an isolated incident by this individual, but it’s the fact that the policies and guidelines were not followed and respected and that Facebook refuses to take action.
There are millions of teens being bullied and abused on Facebook on a daily basis and because Facebook refuses to disable the accounts or reprimand these individuals, young kids are taking their lives, bringing weapons to school and taking the lives of others. When will this come to an end? When will social media take responsibility and accountability for the policies and guidelines that they have set up by owners, lawyers and shareholders? The situation that took place on the Down syndrome site is one of many incidents that are occurring on a daily basis. This needs to stop. We need to take a stand. We, as a community, need to take on the large social media sites whose care and concern revolve around revenue, not around the well being of its users.
It’s not socially acceptable to post pictures of a woman breastfeeding her child on Facebook, but it is acceptable for a fourteen year old girl to bare her breasts to others without the photo being removed. It is acceptable to make hurtful and unkind comments toward others, this is what Facebook is teaching our children, this is was is being encouraged and condoned.
I am so disappointed in Facebook and the lack of respect and total disregard for innocent individuals and their families.
I am bringing this to the news and writing this letter on behalf of millions of parents, children, grandparents, relatives and friends of those with a disability who are bullied and not supported by the community and by a social media outlet that doesn’t back its policies.
I appreciate you taking your time to read the letter and would be grateful if you made your viewers aware of this ongoing concern.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Krista Rowland-Collins
Krowland23@hotmail.com
Today is a really great reason to share!
I want to get to 100 000 views by April. I am at 79 000 right now. If you share my blog, tag me in the post and you will be entered in a draw for a great prize!! A really great prize. If you are sharing again today, you will have another chance to win! I will mail it to anywhere in the world. My goal...get the word out. Bring reassurance to families. Bring comfort and joy to those who are struggling. Lots of shares so far! If we are not friends on Facebook, send me an email after you have shared, at krowland23@hotmail.com or comment below. <3
On Thursday, January 16th, 2014, I was perusing photographs and reading stories on one of the Down syndrome sites on Facebook. I have joined several sites that support parents who have a child diagnosed with Down syndrome. These sites are to connect with others and gain knowledge on a topic that we were not familiar with before getting pregnant with our second daughter, Adele.
http://aperfectextrachromosome.blogspot.ca/
I came across a message from a young adult that read “fuck u retards” and he tagged one of his friends in the post. I was so disgusted but knew that if I reported the comment to Facebook, they would take action as this goes against their Community Standards.
Hate Speech
Facebook does not permit hate speech, but distinguishes between serious and humorous speech. While we encourage you to challenge ideas, institutions, events, and practices, we do not permit individuals or groups to attack others based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition.
The response that I received from Facebook.
This post wasn't removed
Thank you for taking the time to report something that you feel may violate our Community Standards. Reports like yours are an important part of making Facebook a safe and welcoming environment. We reviewed the post you reported for containing hate speech or symbols and found it doesn't violate our Community Standards.
I am confused as to why this would not be removed as it does clearly go against the Community Standards on Facebook. It is verbally attacking others based on a disability. It is verbally attacking all 118 000 members.
I understand that this is possibly an isolated incident by this individual, but it’s the fact that the policies and guidelines were not followed and respected and that Facebook refuses to take action.
There are millions of teens being bullied and abused on Facebook on a daily basis and because Facebook refuses to disable the accounts or reprimand these individuals, young kids are taking their lives, bringing weapons to school and taking the lives of others. When will this come to an end? When will social media take responsibility and accountability for the policies and guidelines that they have set up by owners, lawyers and shareholders? The situation that took place on the Down syndrome site is one of many incidents that are occurring on a daily basis. This needs to stop. We need to take a stand. We, as a community, need to take on the large social media sites whose care and concern revolve around revenue, not around the well being of its users.
It’s not socially acceptable to post pictures of a woman breastfeeding her child on Facebook, but it is acceptable for a fourteen year old girl to bare her breasts to others without the photo being removed. It is acceptable to make hurtful and unkind comments toward others, this is what Facebook is teaching our children, this is was is being encouraged and condoned.
I am so disappointed in Facebook and the lack of respect and total disregard for innocent individuals and their families.
I am bringing this to the news and writing this letter on behalf of millions of parents, children, grandparents, relatives and friends of those with a disability who are bullied and not supported by the community and by a social media outlet that doesn’t back its policies.
I appreciate you taking your time to read the letter and would be grateful if you made your viewers aware of this ongoing concern.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Krista Rowland-Collins
Krowland23@hotmail.com
Today is a really great reason to share!
I want to get to 100 000 views by April. I am at 79 000 right now. If you share my blog, tag me in the post and you will be entered in a draw for a great prize!! A really great prize. If you are sharing again today, you will have another chance to win! I will mail it to anywhere in the world. My goal...get the word out. Bring reassurance to families. Bring comfort and joy to those who are struggling. Lots of shares so far! If we are not friends on Facebook, send me an email after you have shared, at krowland23@hotmail.com or comment below. <3
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