Facebook ‘safety check’ lets users reassure friends in crises like Nice attacks
Posted Jul 15, 2016 12:51:53 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – In the wake of an attack that saw a truck slam into a crowd of Bastille Day revellers in Nice, France, killing at least 84, Facebook has activated its “safety check” feature.
The tool helps users of the social network inform their Facebook friends that they are safe during crisis situations.
If Facebook detects that you are in an area near a major crisis like a natural disaster or violent attack, it will send you a notification asking if you are safe.
A sample safety check message on Facebook’s website reads, “Are you OK? It looks like you’re in the area affected by the Mento Park Earthquake. Let friends know if you’re safe.”
You can then click a button that says, “I’m Safe,” and a post will show up on your news feed indicating that you are OK.
Facebook users worried about friends who may be near a crisis zone can also visit the safety check page to see a list of any friends in the area, and find out which ones have checked in as safe.
