‘Like’ is the only option Facebook users have at present to express their opinion. But ‘Hate’ seems all set to give it company. According to a report in TechCrunch, a technology website, Facebook is considering introducing a ‘Hate’ button. It said, “According to Facebook’s S-1 filing, users are now generating 2.7 billion Likes and Comments per day. With the Hate button, Facebook expects to at least double that.” Interestingly, other buttons under consideration are ‘Meh’, ‘Love’ and ‘Who Cares’.
Dr Mahima Nanda finds ‘Like’ totally inadequate. “I would certainly root for ‘Who Cares’ button as I don’t understand why people put up pictures of their children eating, sleeping, etc on Facebook. Also, what’s the matter with lovey-dovey couples who constantly express their love to each other? Get a life. ‘Not Interested’ is another option I’d want Facebook to introduce.”
Some feel ‘Hate’ may be an extreme option, and would prefer something more neutral. Says Nabila Sadiq, a doctorate student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, “Hate is too extreme a word to be used as a button. As it is Facebook is filled with too many hate pages. But yes, it’s a nice experiment to give options to users. I would love to see a neutral button though, where you might care about the person and the views but choose to not like or hate it.”
Gautam Kumbargeri Srinath, regional sales manager with a private firm, agrees with Nabila and says, “Hate isn’t a good option as chances are high of it being misused. People are more open and expressive when they click ‘Like’ button, but choosing ‘Hate’ might be perceived as an extreme reaction. But thank God, Facebook isn’t considering f*** you as an option.”