OPINION

Facebook last week launched its ‘Take a Break’ tool which filters and limits the influx of photos and statuses from your ex after your relationship ends.

The social media platform will automatically ask users who change their relationship status to single if they would like to utilise the new, heartbreak-saving tool. This includes:

- Seeing less of your former partner's name and profile picture on Facebook without having to Block or Unfriend them

- Not seeing their status updates on your Newsfeed

- Filtered photos so you won’t see if someone tags your ex partner in a photo

This technology is an excellent pre-emptive tool that limits how much you see of your ex without having to block them, but it belies a disturbing Gen Y question: Why can’t Gen Y’s just get over it?

Gen Y, often referred to as ‘Gen Y me?’ is constantly characterised as having far too much attachment to their social media accounts and smart phones. Look at any 20-something-year-old and this depiction clearly rings true, but it also brings to light the serious side effects of ‘living virtually’, including how Millennials cope with real-life situations such as breakups.

The Break Up Blues, though treacherous, are a well-trodden path navigated by everyone, but the road looks different for each generation. A Millennial break up trend is to delete or block your ex from social media, and then delete all old photos taken during the good times. This is the modern version of a break up, whereas traditionally your only option was to literally throw away any painful reminders, and refuse to pick up the phone.

With social media such an ingrained aspect of Gen Y life, so much so that to live without it is near impossible, Facebook’s new break up tool reinforces the need to save this “obsessive” group from themselves.

Yes, breakups are hard, especially if you are constantly reminded of the post-breakup moving on, but is it going a step too far to bubble wrap all Millennials? Or has Facebook merely invented today’s version of throwing away old letters and photos?

No one can deny the genius of Facebook and their uncanny way of inventing technology we didn’t know we needed. But the Take a Break tool may become another way for people to distort their realities in favour of presenting a polished and perfect version of their lives on social media - an aspect that has been criticised as negatively impacting the social congruity and self esteem of Gen Y’s and the generations to come.

Eden Puriri is an Undergraduate Media and Communications student who believes in the equality of the sexes, genders and races. Contact her at feedback@ibtimes.com.au , or let us know what you think below.

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