Facebook reform

SIR – Laurence Dodds and Matthew Field’s report (November 25) discussed Sir Nick Clegg’s challenges as the new head of global affairs and communications at Facebook, helping Mark Zuckerberg answer questions concerning the relationship between the social networking site and its users.

All too often I am called to help folk reduced to sorry states of anxiety following negative comments sent to them, or made about them, on social media. Such electronic traffic can be the most cowardly form of communication, a platform for those I call “mice with megaphones” – people who are unable, or too timid, to have a reasoned and reasonable debate face-to-face.

Sir Nick’s first priority should be to stem abuse on social media in the name of human dignity, and enable Facebook users to report it effectively and hold the platform accountable. His second priority should be to prevent abuse of our personal data.

Mr Zuckerberg once described himself as the head of a community, to which I would humbly respond with words from 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

May Facebook and other social media platforms become encouraging communities – and an example to others. Canon Alan Hughes

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland