Why you should bother about Facebook's 'Safety Check' feature
What's the story
In times of crisis, staying connected and informed is of utmost importance. Facebook's Safety Check feature enables users to promptly notify friends and family of their well-being during emergencies. This guide offers a comprehensive, step-by-step breakdown for Android device users on how to utilize this essential feature, whether you receive a notification or need to manually mark yourself safe.
Notification response
Responding to safety check notifications
If you are in a crisis-hit region, Facebook may send you a push notification to confirm your safety, depending on the city listed in your profile or the location settings of your device. By clicking "I'm Safe," you can update your status to reassure your friends of your well-being. Choosing "Doesn't Apply to Me" removes the notification if you are not directly impacted.
Manual safety marking
Manually marking yourself safe
Even if you don't get an automatic prompt but are in the affected area, you can mark yourself safe. To do so, first open the Facebook app on your Android device. Use the search bar at the top to search for Crisis Response. Click on it from the search results. Next, select the relevant crisis from the list displayed and confirm your safety by clicking "I'm Safe."
Friends' safety inquiry
Checking friends' safety status
To check on friends, navigate to the Crisis Response page. Select the ongoing crisis event. A section will display friends who have already marked themselves safe or otherwise. For those unmarked, search their name and select "Ask If Safe" to prompt them to share their status. This feature allows Android users to actively seek updates from friends during emergencies, without drawing conclusions or providing summaries.