- There is also concern that the social network is targeting expectant parents for advertisers
Last updated at 12:56 PM on 2nd August 2011
An update that allows Facebook users to list on their profile that they are expecting a child has been criticised as 'creepy' and motivated by advertising revenue.
Users of the social networking site have been able to add family members to their accounts since last December.
New changes to the site mean they can now add an 'Expected: Child' field to their page to let others know their baby news.
'Creepy and weird': A new update allows Facebook users to list on their profile that they are expecting a child
But not everyone is happy about the change - some have accused Facebook of going 'too far' in breaking down more traditional methods of announcing personal news.
Scott Campbell, a professor of communication studies at the University of Michigan, told the New York Daily News: 'The feature makes it a very clinical way to share what some consider very sacred information.
'Facebook makes listing a child announcement as casual as updating job information and hobbies.'
Twitter user ifonlyella, meanwhile, was worried about the precedent set for revealing key life events in such a way.
She wrote: 'Does anyone else think that having Facebook pages for foetuses is creepy and weird?'
Others are concerned that the addition is simply a way for Facebook to rake in money through advertising.
Insecurities about impending parenthood are, after all, fertile ground for advertisers to exploit.
Update: The new option lets users prominently display their baby news without creating a separate page
Among those to take to Twitter to express their reservations is pregnant British writer Jemima Kiss.
She tweeted: 'Have duly added "Expected: Child" to Facebook profile. Will now await deluge of targeted pregnancy ads.'
HOW TO TELL FACEBOOK FRIENDS YOU'RE EXPECTING A BABY
For those who want to add the news that you are expecting a child, follow these easy steps:
- Click 'Edit Profile' on user profile page
- Choose the Family & Friends tab and select 'Add another family member'
- From drop-down menu click on 'Expected: Child'
- Enter a due date and a chosen name for the unborn baby
Previously, parents had to create a new profile for their unborn baby, breaking Facebook rules which state all users must be at least 13 years of age.
The new option now lets users prominently display their momentous news without using a separate page.
To add the setting, parents must edit their profile settings and choose 'Expected: Child' from a list of options.
An update is also published to the public news feed informing their followers of the change in circumstances.
When launched last week, a glitch in the system meant practical jokers could enter their friends names as expected children. This has now been fixed.
A Facebook spokesperson said: 'We're always testing new features. Facebook started providing the option to add an "Expected: Child" as a way for users to more accurately express their identity.'
Since the site was first developed, frequent additions to options about personal relationships have been added.
This has allowed users to tailor their information to more thoroughly represent themselves.
In February, the site began allowing users to list their relationship status as 'in a civil union' or 'in a domestic partnership'.
This was helpful for those in less common forms of partnerships as well as gay couples and was seen as a victory for civil rights.
02 Aug, 2011--
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2021512/Facebook-update-announces-having-baby-criticised-creepy-weird.html?ITO=1490
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