Facebook Sympathizes With France In #JeSuisFrance Profile Pic Filter Campaign

The world grieved with France, following the recent bombings in Paris. Facebook allowed the rest of the world to express their sympathy, with the latest filter, and a vow to enable the Safety Check function.

In spite of the fact that 2014 was hailed as the statistically “best year ever” by the different media outfits, 2015 marked a great number of unrests: Terrorist activity from the ISIS, the Syrian refugee crisis, and now, this recent attack on France. With these crises affecting nations, natural disasters notwithstanding, Facebook is doing its part in ensuring that those affected will have ways to assure their friends and family that they are safe. Not only that, Facebook is also ensuring that the rest of the world can express their sympathies.

The skeptics may say that this is all about relevance and marketing. However, it seems to be more than that: Facebook is hyper-aware of the influence and power that it holds, and this is clearly beyond profit. Their recent moves to ensure that everyone gets to take part in major world events is the social media company’s nod to their understanding of their responsibility as possibly the most influential social network at the moment.

Indeed, the "Spider-Man" franchise says it perfectly: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Facebook clearly understands that and is acting on it.

Meanwhile, if one wants to express his sympathies for the recent France bombing, he may head on over to this post on the official Facebook Page, and click the “Try It” button. This button adds a filter over his profile picture in the colors of the French national flag.

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Facebook’s #JeSuisParis (“I Am Paris”) Filter: https://www.facebook.com/facebook/photos/a.376995711728.190761.20531316728/10154189824321729/?type=3

The Reuters coverage on the bombings in France: https://live.reuters.com/Event/Paris_attacks_2

TechCrunch’s report on Facebook committing to enable the Safety Check button in more areas and through more calamities, disasters, and events similar to the Paris attack: https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/15/facebook-says-it-will-enable-safety-check-in-more-human-disasters-following-criticism/#.ueeved2:7vIQ