samaritans
Latest
Samaritans pulls its controversial Radar Twitter app
After facing a tidal wave of negative publicity and staying quiet for almost a week, counselling charity Samaritans has decided to suspend its controversial Twitter app. Radar was designed to remotely listen in on Twitter conversations and warn users when a person they follow might need some friendly support. The idea was noble, but its anonymous (and automated) nature and potential to be abused by online trolls led many to call for Samaritans to pull it offline.
Samaritans Radar scans your Twitter feed and notifies you of possible cries for help
The Samaritans charity is best known for its 24-hour helpline, which offers emotional support to anyone that's feeling down in the dumps. With many people, especially youngsters, now broadcasting every intimate detail of their lives on Twitter, the organisation has today released a new tool that'll tell you when anyone you follow looks like they might need you to lend them an ear. Connect your Twitter account with the Samaritans Radar service, and it'll start scanning your feed for key words and phrases -- like "depressed," "help me" and "hate myself" -- that suggest someone's not in the best emotional shape. You'll be notified of any red flags through email alerts, which'll also point you towards resources that offer advice on how you might be able to help that person.
Super Meat Boy Galaxy charity drive to support Samaritans
A prototype of the copyright skirting Super Meat Boy Galaxy can be yours with a donation to a good cause. Aubrey Hesselgren, a friend of Team Meat's Tommy Refenes, created a prototype of Super Meat Boy Galaxy for Refenes' birthday last year, which is now being "ransomed" for donations to Samaritans.Samaritans is a service providing confidential emotional support to those who are experiencing distress or despair. They also provide suicide prevention support. Just think of all that money you're saving on the Steam sale and divert some of that cash to a good cause. Feel free to donate.
