We all have had our fair share of experiences of wanting to show support to our friends on Facebook but facing the dilemma of hitting the 'like' button for that sad update. As much as users have wanted it, it seems Facebook is not going to add a 'dislike' button.
But, we may soon be put out of our misery. Facebook is considering giving its users a less cheery alternative to the 'like' option.
The social network company held its annual Compassion Research Day meet last week, where it devotes a whole day to sharing various ways it is trying to "build empathy and foster trust" with users.
According to a report by The Huffington Post, an engineer with the social networking site has come up with the idea to allow Facebook users to show they care, with a 'sympathise' button.
Engineer Dan Muriello said one of his colleagues had designed the 'sympathise' button during a recent hackathon.
Many people come across a sad status update from a friend while browsing the popular social networking site. They want to show the person they care, but do not know him or her well enough to say anything that does not sound trite. Then, they see that someone has - perhaps accidentally - hit the 'like' button. Ask these likers and they will say: "I was trying to show sympathy, but 'like' was my only option."
Here's how the new button could work: if a Facebook user were to tag his or her status with a negative emotion (from the social networking site's lists of feelings), the 'sympathise' button would automatically replace the 'like' button.
However, a Facebook spokesperson said the feature is not making its way to the site "yet".
Until then, you either bank upon the only, but absolutely misfit option, of hitting the 'like' button, or maintain an awkward silence.
With inputs from PTI
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