What the Heart Emoji Status Means and Why You Shouldn't Post It

This morning I woke up to my alarm, and as I do every morning, I checked my phone for new emails, etc. I was surprised when I woke up to a Facebook message from someone I don't know reading:

"Hello, can you put a <3 (heart emoji) on your wall, without comment, only a heart, then send this message to your female contacts. After putting one (heart) on the wall of the person who sent you this message. If anyone asks why you have so many hearts on your wall do not answer. It is for women only to remember it's the week of breast cancer prevention! Check your boobies!! Hold your finger down on the message and hit forward."

Danielle

I thought it was maybe spam and blocked the message, but apparently this is something that is going around today. If you see a bunch of your friends posting this lone heart as their status, here's why they may want to reconsider.

Nowhere can I find that 'Breast Cancer Prevention Week' is an actual thing. I'm also not sure that posting a heart emoji as your status and then NOT explaining why you did so is going to help in the prevention of breast cancer. I appreciate the sentiment, I just don't think posting the heart without explaining what it's for is doing what it's intended.

Instead of succumbing to what could be considered "slacktivism", maybe instead donate to one of the local cancer charities and foundations right here in good ol' Iowa. And if you are unable to donate your time or money, maybe you can post one of these links as your status, directing people to organizations they can help.

Breast cancer awareness and prevention is too important to turn it into a Facebook ploy that's not explained.

[943thepoint.com]