These content moderators, often hired as contract employees through staffing agencies, say spending hours staring at disturbing material takes an emotion toll.
People who are hired to sift through online postings that have been flagged on platforms like Facebook and YouTube say the job takes a tremendous psychological toll.
The moderators are frequently tasked with watching disturbing video and images of child sexual abuse, violence, animal cruelty, and more.
One former moderator described the role as “watching the content of deranged psychos … who don’t have a conscience.”
A legion of temporary employees who are tasked with moderating content on platforms like Facebook and YouTube say they were unprepared for the emotional and psychological toll the job would take.
The content moderators are hired to sift through online posts, including pictures and video that were flagged as inappropriate. Several of those employees shared their experiences in a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday night.
Tech: Content moderators for tech giants like Facebook and YouTube reveal what it’s like to sift through some of the most disturbing material on the internet
