Content moderators for Facebook and YouTube have been asked to sign forms stating they understand the job could cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to reports from the Financial Times and The Verge, content moderators hired by the contractor Accenture for Facebook and YouTube were asked to sign PTSD disclosure documents.
These moderators are tasked with monitoring objectionable materials on the online platforms and often view hundreds of disturbing images daily. Accenture said it prioritizes the well-being of workers.
The contractor released a statement saying only new hires were being asked to sign the forms while existing employees were being sent the form as an update. Accenture said: "We regularly update the information we give our people to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the work they do."
Accenture is a professional services company whose contractors serve as outside monitors for social media sites to remove any inappropriate content. Their work often requires watching and listening to disturbing posts that can be violent or sexual in nature.
The disclosure document read: "I understand the content I will be reviewing may be disturbing. It is possible that reviewing such content may impact my mental health, and it could even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."
Accenture sent the notices to its employees in the US and Europe.
The move to send out disclosure forms was made following lawsuits filed against Facebook by former content moderators over a range of mental health issues in California and Ireland.
According to Facebook, it did not not review Accenture's new form, but said it does require its partners to offer psychological support for content moderators. Google, the parent company of YouTube, also said it did not review the documents but required its partners to offer mental health support.
The forms also indicated the support services offered, including a hotline and a wellness coach.
