FriendsReunited.co.uk is currently the most searched-for site in the UK through its success in bringing old friends back into contact. However, it has also been used as a platform for ex-pupils to post allegations of alcoholism and paedophilia in relation to their former teachers resulting in complaints from the teaching bodies. It does not monitor the comments posted by users, but following the complaints, it invites visitors to report any abusive messages so that the site’s administrators can remove the offending content. It has also suspended the teacher comment section of the site “whilst comments are reviewed.”
David Hart, president of the NAHT told the Observer, “We did speak to the web site organisers after we had about 12 complaints form members. The action they have taken is useful and they are clearly no more keen on these messages appearing than we are. However, if this abuse button does not do the trick then we will be looking to have the site scrapped altogether.”