Survivors Of Gender-based Violence Can Face Problems Through Social Media Memories

Facebook’s Memories feature can be problematic for survivors of gender-based violence when they see previously posted photographs of abusive former acquaintances, family members or intimate partners suggests a University of Alberta study.

Facebook launched Memories in 2015, assuming most people would enjoy the look back. But as study author Nicolette Little points out in her study, published in Feminist Media Studies, 80 to 90 per cent of survivors of gender-based violence know their abuser.

For those who use the app, that means an abuser may still show up in Memories even if the survivor has unfriended them. You can block a friend, but opting out of or controlling Memories is no easy process, says Little.

“It makes their abuser seem inescapable and reduces survivors’ sense of agency, among other challenges to their well-being,” says Little, who is a federal government advisor on gender-based violence and media.

Some of Little’s subjects said they would leave their phones at home, or hide them away on anniversary dates or on Valentine’s Day, dreading what might turn up.

As well, 10 of her 12 study subjects were unaware settings to modify Memories’ settings even existed, including two who were self-described media specialists.

“I didn’t even know you could opt out,” said one participant. “If a guy like me doesn’t know that, it’s a problem.”

The easiest solution to improve the user experience, aside from making settings simpler, would be empowering users to opt in rather than opt out of Memories, she says.

“A trauma-informed approach assumes an individual will likely have a history of trauma … and will seek not to reinjure in the first place.”