Meningitis Now has accused Facebook of putting children’s lives at risk after the social network banned adverts showing the warning signs of meningitis.

Facebook said it blocked the adverts because they featured images that could "shock" some viewers and because they used “an ideal body image”.

One image featuring a child recovering in hospital was deemed “scary, gory and sensational”, while another advert picturing a rash with a glass pressed against it was also banned. Both images were approved by other social media platforms, including Instagram, the charity said.

Social media manager for Meningitis Now, Thomas Davis, told Civil Society News he was “disappointed” that Facebook “deemed these lifesaving images as inappropriate”.

“Our campaigns are designed to save lives. We know Facebook is an effective way for us to reach thousands of people with lifesaving information who may not know about our charity and the work we do.

“I hope that when reviewing charity ads in the future they can work with us, not against us,” he said.

The charity has previously struggled with Facebook adverts featuring amputees, aimed at raising awareness of the effects of the disease.

The charity said the removal of the adverts would hinder its ability to help people identify symptoms of the disease and publicise lifesaving information during "peak meningitis season", the Daily Mail reported.

"We rely on these kind of images to highlight just how dangerous meningitis is," said Davis.  

A spokesman for Facebook told Civil Society News he was “aware” of the banned adverts and “investigating” the situation.

Second time Facebook has banned a charity ad

Last month, the social media giant was forced to backtrack after banning a RNIB’s See the Need advert for being “degrading”.

The advert featured a woman’s reaction after being told by a doctor that she would lose her sight.

It was initially blocked for contravening guidelines on language that is “profane, vulgar, threatening or generates high negative feedback”.

A spokesperson for Facebook reportedly told the charity: “We’ve found that people dislike ads that directly address them or their personal characteristics.

“Ads should not single out individuals or degrade people. We don’t accept language like ‘fear of losing your sight, losing your job?’ and the like.”

But the social media platform later performed a U-turn and apologised to charity.