BEING confronted by a photograph of a dead baby lying in rubble has led one woman to call for stricter controls over what pictures appear on Facebook.

Catherine Badham, of Church Street, Upton-upon-Severn, was disgusted to find the picture on her timeline.

She said it was not accompanied with any information about the baby or what had happened and appeared unsolicited after a friend ‘liked’ the picture.

After reporting the photo to the social media giant, the 36-year-old was shocked to be told it did not violate the terms of its community standards as it was not glorifying or celebrating the death.

Fed up with similar images of a graphic or sexual nature, as well as digital chain letters appearing on the site, she now believes Facebook needs to review the policy which allows such posts to appear.

She said: “I go on Facebook all the time and really enjoy using it to connect with friends I don’t see every day, I find it supportive and funny and use it in the same way as most people do.

“But then up pops this photo with a caption saying pray for the baby – and a photo of the child in the rubble. It was really upsetting and I was absolutely gobsmacked by Facebook’s reply. Children as young as 13 can sign up to the site and see these pictures."

A Facebook spokeswoman defended the image, saying the site had long been a place where people had turned to share their experiences, particularly when they are connected to such controversial events as human rights abuses, acts of terrorism and other violent events.

“People share these photos to condemn them, not to glorify them," she said.

"If the photos were being celebrated, or actions in them encouraged, our approach would be different."

Mrs Badham said she did not have information about what had happened to the baby or where the photo was taken. Recently, the site has come under fire for allowing a video of a decapitation to circulate among users, which it eventually removed.

Prime Minister David Cameron criticised the site before the video was removed saying it was “irresponsible, specially without a warning”.

Facebook community standards state: “Images shared for sadistic effect or to celebrate or glorify violence have no place on our site.”