Facebook Announces New Tools to Help Users Avoid Exes After Breakup

Facebook is going to help you move on. On Thursday, Nov. 19, the social media platform announced new tools to help users avoid their exes after a breakup.

“Starting today, we are testing tools to help people manage how they interact with their former partners on Facebook after a relationship has ended,” product manager Kelly Winters announced in a Facebook blog post. “When people change their relationship status to indicate they are no longer in a relationship, they will be prompted to try these tools.”

The new features include numerous options, such as not seeing an ex’s updates without having to unfriend or block that person, and also will not suggest the name when tagging or starting new messages.

Another tool also lets the user limit the photos, videos, and status updates that a former partner can see.

Worried about what you’ve posted in the past? Have no fear. Facebook also will let users edit who can see their past posts with a former partner and untag themselves from those posts.

These changes are being tested first in the U.S. on users’ mobile devices, Winters explained, and changes and rollout of the features will be made based on user feedback.

“The work is part of our ongoing effort to develop resources for people who may be going through difficult moments in their lives,” Winters concluded. “We hope these tools will help people end relationships on Facebook with greater ease, comfort, and sense of control.”