For Facebook users who like to find out if someone, dear to their hearts is single or not, there is a new "Ask" button. Facebook unrolled this feature over the weekend and it is already making some interesting controversies.
This is seen as a subtle way to substantiate divorce gossip, whether they are still employed at their former position or other rumors. It is less direct than simply asking the person over Facebook Messenger and more specific to their profile.
The Ask button is available next to friends' undisclosed relationship statuses, work affiliations, hometowns, or anything they left blank on their file in the "About" section. What may disappoint some users is that the Ask button cannot be used anonymously. So, someone won't be able to pry on another user without them knowing who it is.
However, despite the fact it can't be done anonymously, the status can exist for the requesters' eyes only. Users can even include a note in the request as they ask the question. The receiver will get a note that says something like "so and so requested your relationship status," and he or she can respond by clicking a bubble next to single, in a relationship, engaged, married, or other options. On the bottom is where the option to only let them know exists, as it states, "only share this info with so and so."
It seems that this may be another way for Facebook to appeal to the younger crowd that feels the need to spread gossip or let everyone know the relationship status that may be constantly changing. For people who value their privacy more, it may be a useless feature. However, it's nice to see more options in the way to contact or exchange laughs with friends. It is basically a way to get users to provide information, due to pressure from requests that they haven't bothered to themselves.
Facebook like other social medias are really a way to engage in gossip if you think about it. Finding out who is dating whom or who is doing what with their lives is another way to self validate oneself or their network. This has been one of social media's complaints and addictive aspects all at the same time.
