Katie Hunter |
The announcement of the new Facebook dislike button has sparked much controversy in the last week. This new feature, which has not been user tested yet, was revealed by Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, at a recent Q&A session at Facebook’s Headquarters in California.
The “dislike” button has been under consideration for some time following regular requests from some users since the introduction of the popular “like” button in 2009. The like button allows Facebook users to acknowledge something someone has done without having to say anything more. However, the like button can also have negative connotations in the way it is used. For example, by liking an article showing an awful tragedy such as the refugee crisis or personal suffering. Some people may have good intentions when they press the Like button in that they do not necessarily like the article, but they want to show support, or let people know they are not alone. Unfortunately, this is not always how the action is perceived.
A “Dislike” button could be seen to be more appropriate, especially where someone shares a negative, emotional experience. In these circumstances, having a dislike button would seem more palatable, and allow you to show support as well as empathy.
Analysis by Katie Hunter:
*statista.com
