Facebook Outage: Mark Zuckerberg Writes to Staff, Users etc, Shares Concerns

I wanted to share a note I wrote to everyone at our company.

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Hey everyone: it's been quite a week, and I wanted to share some thoughts with all of you. 

First, the SEV that took down all our services yesterday was the worst outage we've had in years. We've spent the past 24 hours debriefing how we can strengthen our systems against this kind of failure. This was also a reminder of how much our work matters to people. The deeper concern with an outage like this isn't how many people switch to competitive services or how much money we lose, but what it means for the people who rely on our services to communicate with loved ones, run their businesses, or support their communities.

Second, now that today's testimony is over, I wanted to reflect on the public debate we're in. I'm sure many of you have found the recent coverage hard to read because it just doesn't reflect the company we know. We care deeply about issues like safety, well-being and mental health. It's difficult to see coverage that misrepresents our work and our motives. At the most basic level, I think most of us just don't recognize the false picture of the company that is being painted.

Many of the claims don't make any sense. If we wanted to ignore research, why would we create an industry-leading research program to understand these important issues in the first place? If we didn't care about fighting harmful content, then why would we employ so many more people dedicated to this than any other company in our space -- even ones larger than us? If we wanted to hide our results, why would we have established an industry-leading standard for transparency and reporting on what we're doing? And if social media were as responsible for polarizing society as some people claim, then why are we seeing polarization increase in the US while it stays flat or declines in many countries with just as heavy use of social media around the world?

At the heart of these accusations is this idea that we prioritize profit over safety and well-being. That's just not true. For example, one move that has been called into question is when we introduced the Meaningful Social Interactions change to News Feed. This change showed fewer viral videos and more content from friends and family -- which we did knowing it would mean people spent less time on Facebook, but that research suggested it was the right thing for people's well-being. Is that something a company focused on profits over people would do? 

The argument that we deliberately push content that makes people angry for profit is deeply illogical. We make money from ads, and advertisers consistently tell us they don't want their ads next to harmful or angry content. And I don't know any tech company that sets out to build products that make people angry or depressed. The moral, business and product incentives all point in the opposite direction.

But of everything published, I'm particularly focused on the questions raised about our work with kids. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on the kinds of experiences I want my kids and others to have online, and it's very important to me that everything we build is safe and good for kids.

The reality is that young people use technology. Think about how many school-age kids have phones. Rather than ignoring this, technology companies should build experiences that meet their needs while also keeping them safe. We're deeply committed to doing industry-leading work in this area. A good example of this work is Messenger Kids, which is widely recognized as better and safer than alternatives.

We've also worked on bringing this kind of age-appropriate experience with parental controls for Instagram too. But given all the questions about whether this would actually be better for kids, we've paused that project to take more time to engage with experts and make sure anything we do would be helpful.

Like many of you, I found it difficult to read the mischaracterization of the research into how Instagram affects young people. As we wrote in our Newsroom post explaining this: "The research actually demonstrated that many teens we heard from feel that using Instagram helps them when they are struggling with the kinds of hard moments and issues teenagers have always faced. In fact, in 11 of 12 areas on the slide referenced by the Journal -- including serious areas like loneliness, anxiety, sadness and eating issues -- more teenage girls who said they struggled with that issue also said Instagram made those difficult times better rather than worse."

But when it comes to young people's health or well-being, every negative experience matters. It is incredibly sad to think of a young person in a moment of distress who, instead of being comforted, has their experience made worse. We have worked for years on industry-leading efforts to help people in these moments and I'm proud of the work we've done. We constantly use our research to improve this work further.

Similar to balancing other social issues, I don't believe private companies should make all of the decisions on their own. That's why we have advocated for updated internet regulations for several years now. I have testified in Congress multiple times and asked them to update these regulations. I've written op-eds outlining the areas of regulation we think are most important related to elections, harmful content, privacy, and competition.

We're committed to doing the best work we can, but at some level the right body to assess tradeoffs between social equities is our democratically elected Congress. For example, what is the right age for teens to be able to use internet services? How should internet services verify people's ages? And how should companies balance teens' privacy while giving parents visibility into their activity?

If we're going to have an informed conversation about the effects of social media on young people, it's important to start with a full picture. We're committed to doing more research ourselves and making more research publicly available.

 

That said, I'm worried about the incentives that are being set here. We have an industry-leading research program so that we can identify important issues and work on them. It's disheartening to see that work taken out of context and used to construct a false narrative that we don't care. If we attack organizations making an effort to study their impact on the world, we're effectively sending the message that it's safer not to look at all, in case you find something that could be held against you. That's the conclusion other companies seem to have reached, and I think that leads to a place that would be far worse for society. Even though it might be easier for us to follow that path, we're going to keep doing research because it's the right thing to do.

I know it's frustrating to see the good work we do get mischaracterized, especially for those of you who are making important contributions across safety, integrity, research and product. But I believe that over the long term if we keep trying to do what's right and delivering experiences that improve people's lives, it will be better for our community and our business. I've asked leaders across the company to do deep dives on our work across many areas over the next few days so you can see everything that we're doing to get there.

When I reflect on our work, I think about the real impact we have on the world -- the people who can now stay in touch with their loved ones, create opportunities to support themselves, and find community. This is why billions of people love our products. I'm proud of everything we do to keep building the best social products in the world and grateful to all of you for the work you do here every day.

'Dear Dinah', Read this short advice by Kedinor to rape survivors will make you cry.

For those of us who grew up in Church where we attended Sunday schools, we will be familiar with the story of Dinah in Gen. 34 :1-31 where Dinah, Jacob's only daughter was raped by Scheme, a royalty. 

All through the story, Dinah was silent, in the same manner rape victims are silenced in Nigeria. They receive all the blames, ranging from what she was wearing, to what she went to do in a man's house etc. 

But this mumpreneur and teens worker throws light on some usually undiscussed areas whenever this story is told or preached in church. 

Please read and share. 

Dear Dinah,

If there's one story that has left me with countless troubling questions, it's yours. Yes, I know, many of us have preached powerful messages from your story. We've blamed you, said you were careless, you wanted to be like others, and all that. But, beyond all of these I also ask;

Where were your parents when you went out unnoticed?

How was the situation at home that you had to go see the other daughters of the land? Was it chaotic, unfriendly or?

Were you just one lonely young girl who needed company or who had many issues and wished there was someone to talk to?

How was your relationship with your parents, or better, your mum?

 

If you knew of the wolf called "Shechem, do you think you'd have still dared that walk? 

  

Dear Dinah, I feel your pain. I've never read that you said anything before, during or after the rape but I know you were pained. I know you were even double pained because you became a victim all round.

Dear Dinah,

You may be reading this right now. I want you to know you can lift your head again, You can be heard again, you can live again! Don't let that situation shut you up, whether it's a rape, an abuse, a heartbreak or whatever it is....

Dear Dinah, rise up!

You are loved. I love you. God loves you. Live again, Dinah, live!

Kedinor Ofor-Emin is young dedicated mother, wife and entrepreneur with very strong passion for the up bringing of children. She believes very strongly that parents have a great role to play in whatever their children becomes in future.

The CEO of Aloes Confectionery can be reached via mail on:

kedinorjohnson@gmail.com or call her on: +234 706 816 5000

Follow her on all social Media handles @Kedinor Ofor-Emin 

UNICAL: Group drums support for Prof. Offiong, gives 10 infallible reasons

Prof. Offiong E. Offiong 

As the tenure of Prof. Zana Akpagu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar gradually comes to an end, over 15 persons have indicated interest to succeed Zana as the University's Vice-Chancellor. 

A group known as Southern Advocate said it has painstakingly reviewed the profile and qualifications of all the various candidates and was impressed with that of Professor Offiong and to that extend decides to pitch their tent with him. 

According to a statement signed by the leadership of the group, their emphasis on candidates to be considered for the plump job are those from the southern part of the state because it strongly believes in the zoning structure that was initiated some years ago which gave room for Prof. Ikpoke, from Central senatorial district and Prof. Zana Akpagu from the North to become VCs respectively must be honored continuously. Therefore, the office should be left for Southerners.

Having, therefore, carried out their independent review of all candidates have decided to endorse the candidacy of Prof. Offiong Effangha Offiong for the job of piloting the affairs of the citadel of learning.

"Over these past weeks the Southern Advocates have had the opportunity on its own without bias, to consult, observe and evaluate the perspectives and agendas of the various candidates from the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River; the zone due to produce the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar in the upcoming elections. Because of the rapid growth we are experiencing in our university community and the numerous challenges, decisions made now will affect us for many years and equally opined that " Decisions Determine Destinies", therefore there is no gainsaying that we need an experienced public servant with track records. 

Who has the wisdom and insight to make the right decisions to rebuild where necessary, reform if possible, and continue when needed on the foundations and achievements of his predecessors as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar. 

It is on this premise that We (The Southern Advocates) are going on record to endorse and present the man we feel is preferred for the top job of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar Cross River State; for your considerations, prayers, and supports for the betterment of our today and tomorrow." The statement reads in part. 

The group has endorsed Prof. Offiong went further to roll out 10 tangents reasons why Offiong is their option. Among which are: 

1. Eminent Prof. Offiong is a skilled educator with 35years of Teaching, Research, and Administration, he is a Professor of inorganic and coordination (pls confirming it's organic) chemistry for 18 years and still counting. 

2. He is familiar with the operation of the educational sector and well known to be resourceful, internationally exposed, well organized with excellent leadership, and team building records. A university is a place where many frequently try their hand at playing politics and attempt to impose their agendas and questionable biases on the educational system. It is worthy to note that the great University of Calabar on our land has a dismal roll call of students and staffs from the southern Calabar because we have been seen as caged and tagged lazy even been hedonic so as to compromise our opportunities in this great citadel of learning. However, in the contrast, Prof. Offiongs' political and academic record is well known and on the table, as clear evidence that informs our decision to pitch with him in this race for the position of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar Cross River State.

3. He has shown determination through antecedents of the past to challenge our challenges; His honesty, pragmatism and hopeful insight into the University community problems and needs as well as his willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to all questions and concerns presented to him by stakeholders, sets him apart from the other candidates (with due respect to all other candidates within the Southern Senatorial District and the State at large).

4.  It is no news that for decades, Prof. Offiong has groomed, sponsored and mentored many undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates students including none academicians and several young minds, he is a supporter of fiscally responsible, Solid basic educational programs, and strong discipline in schools across the state and beyond.

5. His impact tells positively on indigent students through scholarship awards both local and international especially during his 8 years as Commissioner for Education in the State. 

6. Fundamentally amongst all contestants, he is a product of our immediate constituency (The Union). Prof. Offiong is a unionist per excellence who rose to the peak in ASUU, He was a Zonal Co-ordinator and National Vice Chairman and had a direct working relationship with the Students Union Government and Students in General as Dean of Students Affairs in the University of Calabar Cross River State. He has also served as Sub Dean and Dean Faculty of Science as it then was, Also to note, He was a member of the Governing Council of the University of Calabar.

7. Indeed Prof. Offiong has covered the field, He understands the language of the struggle and with him, victory will come. 

Let us as Advocates, conclude by saying that Snr. Comrade Prof. Offiong Effangha Offiong, is a long time resident of the University of Calabar, he is an excellent choice for the most revered office of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar and truly the most qualified candidate, he is fit and proper by credentials! By capacity!By capabilities! by Ranking! by academic Contributions! Amongst other virtues. 

8. Prof. Offiong's love for academic and human resource development knows no bounds, He would make a good Vice-Chancellor if or when entrusted with the responsibility.

The group called on well-meaning Cross Riverians and stakeholders especially those from the University Community to join in their support for Prof. Offiong stating that with Offiong emancipation has come for the University community.