Safety on Ask.fm will ‘improve incrementally’ from end of October, new owners promise
Ask.fm, the question and answer social network that has been plagued with bullying offenses, will ‘improve incrementally’ in terms of safety from the end of October following its takeover by Ask.com, the company has promised.
Having appointed Annie Mullins OBE as the UK and Europe safety lead for Ask.fm and Catherine Teitelbaum as Ask.fm’s chief trust and safety officer, the company has said in an update that the full effects of the improved systems is expected to be felt within six months, but changes will be seen from the end of the month.
Doug Leeds, CEO of Ask.com and Ask.fm, said: “We would not have acquired the site if we didn’t think we could make a difference to the safety of our users. It won’t be a quick or easy process, but it’s one that we are absolutely committed to. We’re investing millions of dollars into getting this right.”
Safety initiatives being put in place include making it easier for users to report content that they find abusive or inappropriate; and establishing a Safety Advisory Board and a Safety Centre which includes information to help parents and others with responsibility for teens, such as teachers, to talk to teens about using social media.
Ask.fm will also review and launch new community guidelines to better define responsible use of the site.