Facebook users worried about friends and family caught up in natural disasters and other major events can now use the social network to confirm that everything is alright, reports Jacob Kastrenakes in The Verge.
Assuming, of course, that those individuals also use Facebook.
Mr. Kastrenakes writes:
Facebook has made a permanent page for Safety Check, its feature for letting others know that you’re safe during an emergency.
The article continues:
... A promotional photo shows the Safety Check page displaying what’s essentially a news feed of catastrophes – including a collapse, a fire, and a typhoon – and people marking themselves safe. ...
It’s a little unsettling, but Facebook seems to have built it out in recognition of the terrorist attacks and extreme weather events that happen on an unfortunately regular basis.
If you decide to use the Safety Check tab, however, keep an eye out for false positives.
According to Mr. Kastrenakes:
Still, while the intention might be good, the feature is far from perfect. It sometimes gets activated when there isn’t a real emergency, leading to stressed out friends and relatives prodding you with Safety Check requests.
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