Facebook to test New Jersey's Web icon for reporting abuse

TRENTON, N.J. -- The popular social networking website Facebook has agreed to test replacing its own link for reporting abuse with a bigger one developed by the New Jersey attorney general's office.

Under the agreement announced Wednesday, Facebook will display a "Report Abuse!" icon on a small fraction of its pages that display videos instead of its own link for reporting objectionable material.

Users that find offensive material may click on the icon to receive safety tips, a place to report the user to Facebook and the option to block the offender.

The test will involve at least 1.5 million randomly selected page impressions over the next six months. One of the world's most popular Web sites, Facebook served 3.65 billion ad views in the U.S. in June, according to Reston, Va.-based Web measurement firm comScore, Inc.

At the conclusion of the test, Facebook will work with the New Jersey attorney general's office to decide whether to expand, revise or discontinue use of the icon.

In May, Palo Alto, Calif.-based Facebook agreed to add 40 new safeguards to protect users from cyberbullies and sexual predators following talks with 49 state attorneys general.

Seven other social networking sites have agreed to use the "Report Abuse!" icon including Blackplanet.com and Myyearbook.com. Sites that display the icon must agree to provide quick responses once problems are reported, and to have a way for a complainant to block future posts from the offending individual.