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AI algorithms to prevent suicide gain traction

Facebook is one of several companies exploring ways to detect online behaviours that have been linked to self-harm.
  1. Sara Reardon
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A growing number of researchers and tech companies are beginning to mine social media for warning signs of suicidal thoughts. Their efforts build on emerging evidence that the language patterns of a person's social-media posts, as well as the subconscious ways they interact with their smartphone can hint at psychiatric trouble.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-017-08307-0

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 18 December 2017: An earlier version of this story stated incorrectly that in Facebook’s system, moderators may contact other people in a user’s network in response to signs of suicidal thoughts.

References

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