Mark Zuckerberg's former mentor has blasted social media companies for allowing disturbing content to be shared on their platforms.  

It comes after a clip appearing to show a man dying by suicide was hidden in videos of kittens and puppies online.

It prompted the Mental Health Foundation to issue a warning to parents urging them to check on their children, to see if they were okay.

American businessman Roger McNamee told Francesca Rudkin social media giants care more about maximising engagement.

"Things like the suicide video are really good for the industry - and that no matter what the companies say - they like to have their platforms open to that type of content - as it makes them more powerful and profitable."

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