Facebook rejects calls to ban 'neknomination' pages

Facebook has rejected calls to ban pages and videos linked to the "neknomination" drinking game after the deaths of two men in Ireland were linked to the online craze.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte demanded action from the social media giant following a public appeal from health chiefs and psychiatrists calling for the craze to be stopped.

Mr Rabbite said the first responsibility is with young people falling for a "stupid ruse", but insisted it would be helpful if Facebook agreed to remove pages which "promote a stupid and silly phenomenon".

However, Facebook said it had not moved to delete or ban any material as the videos do not break its rules on harmful content.

"We do not tolerate content which is directly harmful, for example bullying, but controversial or offensive behaviour is not necessarily against our rules," a spokesman said.

Jonny Byrne, 19, drowned after taking part in the stunt, which sees people being challenged to down large quantities of alcohol before nominating others to do the same, and his body was recovered from the River Barrow earlier this morning.

Read: Second death in Ireland linked to social media drinking craze 'Neknominate'