Facebook just announced
a new feature offered to some of its 1.5 billion members, on Thursday that allows users to express a range of emotions when commenting. Since more members use Facebook via mobile devices, they want a faster and easier way to communicate on social media. So, Facebook is testing something new. The mega social media company rolled out six new 'reactions,' also known as emojis, in addition to the 'like' option. They are: love, laughter, cheers, surprise, anger, and sadness.
The feature will be available in certain countries, but if you own/run a Facebook page, you may have already seen a notice like this one in your 'insights' section: This notice is from the
'Honoring Jimmy Carter' Facebook page. The notice reads:
"We're running a test allowing people to like, love and have other reactions to Page posts. This test will only happen in a few countries. If someone reacts, you will see it below."
The New York Times
reports:
"Mark E. Zuckerberg, Facebook’s co-founder and chief executive, said last month that the company planned to test a way to 'dislike' a post. 'I do think it’s important to give people more options than just like,' he said at that time.
While none of the new buttons are labeled that way, the angry and sad faces are designed to express negative emotions in a sympathetic way."
Many users are relieved there will be no 'dislike' button, as it can be used to bully, especially with teens. Making a status that's followed by a massive thread/trail of mean-spirited 'dislikes,' just for spite, can be more than hurtful. With these new reactions, it's more like expressing feelings. You can feel anger for something or someone without 'disliking' them. And with the new 'love' expression some folks on the shy side, can now find the words, or um... the
symbols, to say they how the really feel - perhaps be more than
just 'friends.' Or not.