Facebook criticised by NSPCC over "disturbing" baby video

Facebook has found itself under strong criticism from the NSPCC, after hosting a “disturbing” video on its site.

Facebook says it does not believe the video – which shows a baby being dunked repeatedly in a bucket of water – breaches its rules and says it will not ban all uses of the footage. In response, the NSPCC, who believe the video shows a “terrified, sobbing baby”, wants the UK government to intervene.

Claire Lilley, who leads Child Safety Online for the NSPCC, told the Today programme the baby was being flung about in a manner which could cause “serious damage” to its limbs.

Following some reports which claim the video is an example of “baby yoga”, Ms Lilley said: “What is one person’s baby yoga in one person’s context is child abuse in another person’s context.”

Facebook’s UK policy director Simon Milner told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that by drawing attention to a distressing situation, the website has “seen from experience that it can and does lead to the rescue of the child”. He added: “We’ve been in contact with the authorities…[and] hope they’ll be able to track down this child.”