(UnitedVoice.com) – Imagine sitting in front of a computer every night for hours as graphic and violent images pass in front of your eyes. Suicides, assaults, murders, as well as other horrific photos and videos. That’s what it’s like for Facebook moderators, and now, the company is being forced to pay for them to get them help.
In 2018, a group of moderators filed a class-action lawsuit against the social media giant. The contractors alleged Facebook didn’t create a safe work environment for them, and many of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the violent content they had to view.
On May 12, the plaintiffs and Facebook announced a settlement agreement. The company will pay $52 million to both current and former contractors who viewed the graphic images. They will also make one-on-one counseling available to moderators. Those who have verified PTSD symptoms can receive up to $50,000.
Every content moderator who worked for Facebook from 2015 until now will get at least $1,000, and is eligible for up to $50,000 in damages.
It's a landmark settlement that fully acknowledges the terrible toll that moderation can on the people who do this work
— Casey Newton (@CaseyNewton) May 12, 2020
Hopefully, those who need the help will finally be able to get it. Being bombarded with violence like that every day, for hours, is clearly traumatizing. However, although the settlement is a great step forward, Facebook will need to make sure they continue to take care of their moderators going forward.
Copyright 2020, UnitedVoice.com
