Facebook and Twitter should warn against NekNominations, local councils say

Facebook and Twitter should tell its users not to partake in NekNominations (Picture: Getty)

Social networks should warn their millions of users against taking part in the NekNomination ‘game,’ councils have said.
The Local Government Association (LGA) wants clear and prominent messages displayed on the likes of Facebook and Twitter to highlight the hazards of the drinking craze.
NekNomination is an online fad for which partakers down, on video, their chosen amount of alcohol before posting the footage online and then daring other people to do the same.
The craze has been linked to five deaths in the UK and Ireland, including Bradley Eames, 20, from Nottingham, who consumed two pints of neat gin.
The LGA, which represents nearly 400 councils in England and Wales, said that some schools have given warnings at assemblies and on notice boards, while a number of councils are launching internet safety campaigns, the LGA said.

However, it would like those warnings to be extended to the social networks themselves.
Katie Hall, of the LGA, said: ‘This is an utterly reckless and totally irresponsible craze which has tragically claimed lives. More should be done to highlight the dangers and persuade people not to participate.
‘We believe social media operators have a responsibility to provide health warnings to user groups and individuals.
‘The LGA is looking for these corporations to show leadership -and not ignore what is happening on their sites.
‘We are urging Facebook and Twitter executives to sit down with us and discuss a way forward which tackles this issue head-on.