Advertisement

Facebook tries to ease heartache of breakups with new tool

This file photo shows a sign at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. AP Photo/Ben Margot

SAN FRANCISCO – The heartache of a broken relationship may soon become less painful on Facebook.

The world’s largest social network is trying to help people who have split up with a spouse or lover, offering a new feature that spares them from constantly seeing their former partner’s posts and pictures in their news feed.

Facebook will begin testing the breakup protection on mobile devices in the U.S. before deciding whether to offer it to all of its 1.5 billion accountholders worldwide.

Financial news and insights delivered to your email every Saturday.

READ MORE: Can you die of a broken heart? Science, and true love stories, suggest yes

The optional tool is designed for people who don’t want to take the more extreme measure of blocking an ex-lover from their Facebook network.

After changing their relationship status of Facebook, people will also be allowed to remove their names from past posts linking them to a former partner.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: To friend, or not to friend: Taking a look at Facebook’s ‘Unfriend Day’

Sponsored content

AdChoices