Facebook rejects calls for 'highly dangerous' neknomination drinking game craze ban

Facebook has rejected calls to ban pages and videos linked to the Neknomination drinking craze.

The move comes after Irish authorities called on the social networking site to ban the page and videos of the game, which encourages users to post videos of themselves carrying out stunts while inebriated, after death a teenager in Ireland.

Neknomination drinking craze, supposedly originating in Australia, led to the death of 19-year-old Jonny Byrne from Carlow in the Ireland.

Byrne drowned after taking part in the stunt which sees people being challenged to post a video online of them downing drinks, then nominating others to do the same within 24 hours.

According to news.com.au, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte demanded Facebook act as a raft of interest groups.

Twenty-two-year-old Ross Cummins also died in a Dublin hospital this weekend after a night of heavy drinking.

A video posted to Cummins' Facebook page a week ago showed him taking part in Neknominate.

According to the report, Facebook declined to comment on the controversy but it is understood its approach is to advise users they have options to remove, block or hide messages, which they find inappropriate or offensive or activity which they are not comfortable with.

It is understood Facebook was reviewing videos linked to the craze but that the posting of such material is not a breach of its rules or 'community standards,' the report added.