Facebook update adds new 'Care' reaction alongside existing six to app and Messenger

Change comes alongside a suite of updates intended to respond to coronavirus outbreak

(AFP/Getty)

Facebook has added a new "care" reaction alongside its current six.

The new emoji is intended to allow people to show appreciation for people they see on their news feed.

A similar update will also come to Messenger.

The changes come alongside a host of responses from Facebook to the coronavirus outbreak, which have ranged from attempts to crack down on misinformation to plans to create a heat map of covid-19 symptoms to try and track those who are affected.

The new reactions sit alongside the existing ones, which arrives when Facebook attempted to move past its somewhat controversial "Like" button. Users had argued they wanted a way to dislike posts, but – amid fears about negativity – Facebook instead gave six different responses intended to allow people to engage with their friends' posts.

The existing reactions are a thumbs up, a heart, laughter, shock, sadness and anger.

The new one will arrive from next week.

Facebook has added special reactions in the past, including rainbows for Pride and a purple flower for Mother's Day. It is not clear if this new one will be a permanent addition.