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Are your friends becoming extremists? Facebook wants you to help them

Social media has become a melting pot for conversations, ideas and more, but sometimes that melting pot can push folks to the fringes of extremism.

Facebook appears to be trying to address this extremism by asking users if they are concerned about their friends becoming extremists.

As reported by CNN, Facebook is serving some users in the US a prompt asking if anybody they know is becoming an extremist. This is in-line with the firm’s Redirect Initiative which seeks to combat violent extremism.

“This test is part of our larger work to assess ways to provide resources and support to people on Facebook who may have engaged with or were exposed to extremist content, or may know someone who is at risk,” Facebook spokesperson, Andy Stone told CNN.

The alerts folks will see prompt them to visit a support page though what is contained within those pages isn’t clear at this stage.

However, Facebook will seemingly also prompt those it believes have encountered extremist content on Facebook to take action and protect themselves.

“Violent groups try to manipulate your anger and disappointment,” reads the notice. “You can take action now to protect yourself and others.”

According to a report from Reuters, users who are served these prompts have encountered extremist content on the platform or have previously been met with Facebook’s enforcement of its rules.

While Facebook does have to take action against misinformation, violence and extremism happening on its platform, we have to wonder whether Facebook should be making the call about who is considered an extremist.

As Facebook’s Redirect Initiative is global, we suspect this test will roll out to more nations before it becomes a feature on Facebook.

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