Facebook criticized by NSPCC over sobbing baby video clip

A leading child protection charity has demanded Facebook and other social networks be held to account following a clash over a "disturbing" video, the BBC reports.

Facebook has refused to remove a clip from its site that the NSPCC said showed a "terrified, sobbing baby" being repeatedly dunked into a bucket of water.

Facebook does not believe the video breaches its rules.

The charity has written to the UK government asking it to intervene.

"While the welfare of this child is naturally paramount we would also urge you to look at all available options which will ensure UK citizens, including millions of children, are no longer exposed to this kind of dreadful and disturbing content," the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's chief executive Peter Wanless wrote.

"The NSPCC believes we have now reached the long overdue point where it is time for social networking sites to be held to account for the content on their sites and pay more attention to their safeguarding duties to protect children and young people, whether they are viewing the content or appearing in it."

He sent the letter to culture minister Ed Vaizey and internet safety minister Joanna Shields.

A spokeswoman for the government confirmed the letter had been received and would be responded to in due course.

Facebook acknowledged that the video is "upsetting and disturbing", but said its users should still be able to watch it.

"In cases like these, we face a difficult choice: balancing people's desire to raise awareness of behaviour like this against the disturbing nature of the video," said a spokeswoman for the firm.

"In this case, we are removing any reported instances of the video from Facebook that are shared supporting or encouraging this behaviour.

"In cases where people are raising awareness or condemning the practice, we are marking reported videos as disturbing, which means they have a warning screen and are accessible only to people over the age of 18."

The video - running to nearly two minutes in length - showed the baby being twisted by her arms and held upside down from her legs as she is picked up and partly submerged in the water dozens of time. She cries at first but stops after the carer changes the way she is holding the infant.

The NSPCC describes the act as "callous" and "dreadful".

British Prime Minister David Cameron previously criticised the social network after it refused to remove another clip, which showed a woman being decapitated.

"It's irresponsible of Facebook to post beheading videos, especially without a warning. They must explain their actions to worried parents," he tweeted in 2013.