What is Facebook Safety Check? How to mark yourself safe to friends during the Barcelona attack
FACEBOOK activated its safety check feature as a result of the Barcelona attack to allow users to check if their loved-ones are safe.
Here is your guide to the social media function we hope you'll never have to use...
What is Facebook's Safety Check?
This pioneering communication service is only switched on in times of emergency and is designed to help families find out if their loved ones are safe and well following a natural disaster or terror attack.
It was prompted by the Fukushima disaster in Japan, which saw more than 300,000 people evacuated when a tsunami impact caused a devastating nuclear meltdown.
The social media platform recently activated its emergency service after the Orlando shootings as well as the Istanbul Ataturk attacks.
It also helped families find out if loved ones are still alive in the wake of the horrific Manchester bombings that took place on Monday 22 May.
The check was also activated following the London Bridge attack which took place on Saturday June 3.
It was again activated the morning of the Grenfell Tower fire in West London on June 14.
It has been activated for the Barcelona terror attack which took place on August 17, 2017.
Facebook wrote: "In times of disaster or crisis, people turn to Facebook to check on loved ones and get updates.
"It is in these moments that communication is most critical both for people in the affected areas and for their friends and families anxious for news."
How do I use Facebook Safety Check?
The social network switches on the service following a disaster or atrocity.
People in the region where a horrific event occurred will receive a Facebook notification on their smartphone, asking if they are safe and well.
You can then tick an option which says "I'm safe", which will place a post on your News Feed to alert friends or family, or also select an option which allows you to tell people you weren't in the area affected by the disaster.
How do I check loved ones are OK?
If your Facebook friends use Safety Check, it will automatically place a post on their timeline.
This will be given priority over other posts, so it should be easy to see.
Then you can contact them yourself.
Why did Facebook decide to introduce Safety Check?
Here's what Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said following its launch: "Over the last few years there have been many disasters where people have turned to the Internet for help.
"Each time, we see people use Facebook to check on their loved ones and see if they're safe.
"Connecting with people is always valuable, but these are the moments when it matters most.
"Safety Check is our way of helping our community during natural disasters and gives you an easy and simple way to say you’re safe and check on all your friends and family in one place."
