Facebook has made it simpler to see whether friends have checked in as ‘safe’ on the online platform during disasters or other dangerous events.
The Safety Check feature has been given its own dedicated tab along with friends, groups, events and other main categories.
The update to the social network’s mobile application and desktop pages began rolling out yesterday.
Facebook made it simpler to see whether friends have checked in as ‘safe’ on the online platform during disasters or other dangerous events. The Safety Check feature has been given its own dedicated tab along with friends, groups, events and other main categories (pictured)
The update is designed to keep Facebook’s two billion users informed of with up to date information about global crises as they occur, rather than waiting for an alert.
A dedicated Safety Check page allows users to check up on emergencies, disasters and conflicts worldwide.
It includes background to the situation on the ground, as well as details of who’s marked safe and about relief efforts underway.
Until now, Safety Check activated in a location by location basis, as and when events like accidents, terrorism and natural disasters occurred.
‘Safety Check helps our community let loved ones know they are safe during a crisis, find and give help, as well as learn more about a crisis,’ Facebook said in an online post.
‘There’s now a single place to go to see where Safety Check has recently been activated, get the information you need and potentially be able to help affected areas.’
Facebook added the Safety Check feature three years ago, as a way for people to check on the well-being of loved ones during natural disasters.
Facebook added Safety Check three years ago for natural disasters, broadening it to include terrorism and other major violence after horrific attacks in Paris in 2015. Most recently it has been used in Barcelona, following the terrorist attack on the city last week (pictured)
It broadened to include terrorism and other major violence after horrific attacks in Paris in 2015.
Most recently it has been used in Barcelona, following the terrorist attack on the city.
In March, it was also used in the wake of the London Bridge atrocity.
To access the updated feature on mobile, go to the three dots icon on the far right of the screen.
Then scroll down until you find the Safety Check icon.
On the desktop site, the icon will appear in the ‘Explore’ section on the left-hand side of the screen.