We are living in strange times where even a handshake can spread a dangerous disease. Governments worldwide have made social distancing mandatory. How does one express affection and care to a dear one in times of COVID-19? Facebook seems to have come up with a solution.
The Social Media giant has introduced a new reaction – an emoji hugging a heart. Its motive is to show affection and support to dear ones in these troubled times. According to Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app, the shorthand intended to express care and solidarity.
You can use the new reaction to react on a status update, a photo, or a video, or on a message in the Facebook messenger.
Fidji Simo stated that Facebook felt that a hug response was lacking from its reactions. And in the current period of the pandemic, there was a natural need for extra compassion among people. Therefore, the company felt it was the right time to introduce this new reaction.
Facebook usually does a year-long in-depth analysis to track and gauge which one-to-three-word feedback, emojis, and stickers are mostly used by its users. Based on these it creates a reaction. But in this case, it skipped the analysis part. Reading the need to times Facebook directly introduced the 7th reaction.
The new reaction has been rolled out on a temporary basis. Facebook had earlier added a purple flower and rainbow reaction temporarily. So whether this emoji hugging a coronary heart has a short-term stay remains a question. Simo says that it depends on the feedback people give it. For the time being the reaction will be available till the duration of the pandemic.
Facebook has brought back the feel-good factor with its new reaction.
