If news is to be believed, then the ‘dislike’ button is coming soon to Facebook. Now I’m not sure whether I want to ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ the idea. But let me try to reason it out here.
What I ‘like’ about the ‘dislike’ button
If there’s one thing I’ve found creepy on Facebook (okay, so there are several things I find creepy but this one deserves a mention today) it is when people use the ‘like’ button for status updates that inform your friends that
– you or someone close to you is ill
– you had an accident
– one of your family members passed away
– you’ve been robbed
– a celebrity passed away.
What’s to ‘like’ about any of those updates? But people use the ‘like’ button to acknowledge that they’ve read your status update and they can’t write a meaningful comment because they
– are in the loo when they read it
– are otherwise occupied (I leave that to your imagination)
– are shocked beyond words
– are taking part in a fast-finger competition
– are just plain stupid and insensitive.
Hopefully, all the people mentioned above can now use the ‘dislike’ button to convey their feelings!
Tony Bradley had a good article out in Forbes about why he dislikes the ‘dislike’ button. Let me share some of my fears too.
What I fear about the ‘dislike’ button
Like all things that are meant for good, including Facebook itself, this might lead to
– arguments over why you ‘disliked’ a particular update
– people keeping count of who disliked their updates and returning the favour
– more time wasted on Facebook
– trolls having a field day.
Even more worrying are the valid fears raised by social workers in this article on Quartz.
New York City public school social worker Joseph Klein told Quartz: “The dislike button is going to become yet another tool for exclusion and bullying—something that is already a huge concern with regard to youth.”
Now that is truly scary.
Do you like or dislike the idea of a ‘dislike’ button on Facebook? I’d love to hear your views.
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When I read about this, the first thing that worried me was the bullying bit. Also, more jobless people will add more grist to their already overactive nonsense timewasting mill.
Ah well. We have a choice. That’s why I don’t hang around Facebook too much. Also, we have to keep on monitoring who’s adding us where without having the courtesy to inform us about it.
I “like” this post!
I absolutely agree, Vidya. Another time-waster, no?
About the groups, I just called someone out for adding me to random groups without my knowledge. What’s with people doing that and then denying they did it? Dolts!!
Haa! That’s quite a news. The “dislike” button. My poor posts. Am sure I would return the FAVOR. 🙂 Already an excel is ready 🙂 hehehe~
Shivering in my boots here, Ajay. Am I on the list? 😉
I like the idea of a “dislike” button. It conveys a more accurate response when someone posts something along the lines of, say, “I just got robbed this morning.” I remember years ago when an acquaintance liked a post of mine about a recent death of someone. I couldn’t help but reply, “But why did you like this post?”
I do understand the risks regarding exclusion and bullying, though. That’s a good, thought-provoking, and – yes – scary point.
Yes, I can only think of the kind of situation you mentioned where one might need the ‘dislike’ button, Patricia.
I guess we’ll have to wait and watch and pray that people use it judiciously.
It’s high time for the dislike button to come up!! Much wanted. Just hope it doesn’t led to stupid war on the FB zone.
I’m curious to know why you want it, Vishal. Do share.
My sentiments exactly about the dislike button. Even without it people can be snarky and mean. This will just make things worse. Makes me want to stay away from Facebook for longer stints now.
Then again, people who look for the good will continue to do so, I guess . So let’s see how this goes 🙂
Right you are, Shailaja. A button won’t make a difference to people’s dispositions, but it’s another tool in the hands of those who are mean.
We can focus on the good stuff. I just worry about the kids and vulnerable adults.
I think I more dislike the idea of a dislike button than liking it:-) dont like the negativity of disliking. If there is a sad status-update, I think people could take the time to write a short comment.. Instead of gathering “dislikes” now… Hahaha…
Oh yes, nothing like a meaningful comment, is there?
I am a big fan of reducing the negative in all forms of social media. Why give mean spirited people the option of raining on your facebook parade? I think facebook will come up with something a bit different so people can do something other than like/dislike a post. In my opinion, if something bad is happening to a friend, the least you can do is find 2 minutes to put up a meaningful comment.
I agree, Leanne. I hope Facebook surprises us all pleasantly.
You covered all the points that i wanted to say.. I like to have dislike button 🙂 But, it might be a reason to worry if its used for bullying others
I don’t fear it personally, Mahathi. Just worried that it might be misused.
I do not like the idea of a dislike button. As an educator, I too, worry that it will add to the online bullying that is so rampant already; however, I also urge parents to play a more active role in their child(ren)’s online presence. But, adults can also be bullies online–sad, but true. I feel that if you do not like a post, don’t click the Like button–no need for a Dislike button!
I agree with you that parents need to be more involved, Michelle. A few months ago, I reviewed a wonderful book on this and said at that time that it must be made recommended reading for parents of all children starting out on social media.
You might like to take a look at it too: http://everydaygyaan.com/kindness-wins/
Thanks for stopping by, Michelle.
I agree with you, Corinne on all points. There is a huge potential for abuse here, especially with kids. I’ve never understood people clicking “like” on a bad news post. Facebook has lost much of its allure lately, anyway. 😛
The only reason I’m on Facebook is for the blogging groups, Debbie. I do wish people would be more sensible about how they use all social media.
Initially, I liked the idea. It just seems strange to “like” information like a friend having a car accident, or reading of a setback in a friend’s struggle with a serious illness. But the more I thought about it, and thought about all the bullying that happens on Twitter, for example – I am now dreading this. Facebook has said, in the past, they want to keep things positive. I hope they think this through and come up with something – maybe an I’m sorry button? Just not “dislike”!
I know just what you mean, Alana. ‘I’m sorry’ sounds like a good one too. 🙂
I often write that I can’t bring myself to “Like” some piece of news from a friend, but I share yours and others concerns about the possibility of “Dislike” button’s misuse. We live in a world where folks feel compelled to criticize and air all sorts of negative thoughts about people and situations that are absolutely none of their business. But I guess some of that’s expected when we put our lives out there on Facebook. Thanks for the info.
I have similar feelings about it, Corinne – I can see both pluses and minuses to a Dislike button. I am very interested to see how it all plays out.
I’m with you on the ‘what’s there to “like” about bad news’ thing. If it is more than just a casual acquaintance, I take the time to express condolences (or whatever) in a comment.
I know people have been hollering a long time for a FB ‘dislike’ button, but I, too, see huge potential problems. Just like the problems that some authors experience on Amazon when people write negative and/or ‘1 star’ reviews for books they have not even read!
I couldn’t be happier with the dislike button. But I also think there should be other options too such as “what a pity” or “cheer up”….. after all there are other ways of showing your support too!
I don’t think a dislike button is needed. If someone doesn’t like your post/photo doesn’t that speak for itself? I do like the idea of an “I’m sorry” button for those posts that you wrote of Corinne.
I don’t think there’s anything good about the dislike button. It would be useful if Facebook were completely focused on social news, like Reddit or Digg (Digg has the bury button after all). I don’t think it has any use for personal posts other than to be a source of pleasure for bullies and trolls. That being said, I can relate to your issue with people “liking” a post to show sympathy in a negative situation.
I love this idea of the dislike button, Corinne, and glad it’s finally in the offing!
Sorry I’ve missed so many posts here, but taking care of my mom hasn’t left me too much leisure time for using the computer.
Blessings!
A thoughtful post Corinne, I was all for the dislike button although not so sure after reading this. There are times though when I want to acknowledge a post but it might be sad so ‘liking’ doesn’t seem appropriate.
I love the variety of your posts and that is why I have nominated you for The Blogger Recognition Award http://www.sizzlingtowardssixty.com.au/the-blogger-recognition-award-plus-6-top-tips-for-newbie-bloggers/
Have a great weekend!
I don’t like it either. What about if you write a sad post and people dislike it does that mean they won’t show it? I think their could just be to many potential problems with it.
I agree this will become yet another tool of social bullying. I have almost stopped using my personal facebook account because of all the reading between lines that happens there. I have a separate identity as a blogger and interact with people using that… i dislike the idea of the dislike button for all the reasons you mentioned!
I also have almost stopped with FB as well, just use it as a tool really for blogging and writing groups.
At present I’m leaning towards disliking the dislike button as I think it’s going to be more trouble than it’s worth. But I’ll keep an open mind about it.
Yes, we’ll just have to see how it pans out, Suzy.
I read this as well on BBC I think and I have mixed feelings.:) I know people have been asking for a dislike button and many would probably use it appropriately but I am worried for the bullying it could cause. If a school girl posts a picture for example and all the kids in her class decide t dislike it or something. On the other hand, I wish that we could disable the like button and comments on our facebook posts. There used to be that option and I liked it. 😉