Facebook considering a "sympathize button"

[oliness]

From the BBC:

Quote:

Facebook has devised a "sympathise" button as an alternative to the "like" button for use in certain situations.

If a user selected a negative emotion from Facebook's list of feelings in a status update then the "like" button would change to "sympathise".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25299597

The article says that Facebook aren't planning to release it just yet, but the idea is there. It's similar to RYL's hug button. I think it's a good idea and hope it gets released soon.

[whirlpools]

I feel a bit odd about it and I'm not sure. I'm just a bit worried that it encourages young people to communicate their negative feelings in Facebook 'statuses' in a way that could leave them vulnerable to being bullied. I think it's good for young people to have an outlet for their feelings and someone to listen, I'm just not sure the FB public forum is it. I think you have to be quite careful even as an adult about what you share in the public domain but even moreso if you're, like a lot of Facebookers, young.

I'm just worried that the young person's need for 'sympathisers' will lead to increasingly more desperate FB statuses which could leave them open to harsh comments from people on their so-called 'friends' list, as I've seen people experience on my own FB before. I would rather FB advertised safer avenues for young people to get support and advice (maybe it already does?) and I quite like the idea of a 'compassion research day'.

In the circumstances mentioned in the article, eg. the 'like' button changing to 'sympathise' if someone close has died, it sort of makes sense I guess.

[Cacoethes]

Facebook is corrupt.

I did a safeguarding children course with my volunteer work and apparently there is an alert button that you can put on facebook that you can press if you are the target of bullying and it sends the screenshot directly to the internet police or whatever they are called. But this alert button is incredibly difficult to find, I can't remember how, but there are lots of steps to take in order to find it.

I heard from my brother that his friend was putting increasingly worrying FB statuses and he ended up getting a call from the Samaritans somehow.

[Isoverity]

I want a "Get Off My Lawn!" button

[Rodolphus]

I'm still waiting for a 'that lovingly shared information has absolutely no relevance to anything. Nobody cares, thanks though.' button.

[griddlebone]

I quite like the idea, sometimes when someone posts something thats sad etc but it doesnt warrant a response I see a lot of people 'liking' the status so the person knows people are acknowledging it and it would save having to explain that you dont like the fact their cat died or whatever it is.

Although I can see about the competitive thing, but that happens with everything so I dont see it adding much to that pile!

[Asura]

If I can just have a "baby picture" filter I'll be happy. Jesus christ...