Facebook announced today that it has teamed up with the Malta Police to alert all Maltese users in case a child is abducted.

Addressing a press conference this afternoon, Home Affairs Minister announced that the social media giant would be collaborating with the police to further strengthen the Amber Alert system launched in January.

As from today, through the Amber Alert, Facebook users will be able to receive specific alerts on their timelines whenever a child is abducted or reported missing and at imminent risk of harm.

The Amber Alert System allows the police to quickly involve the public in the search for missing children using an array of available media, from television to variable-message road signs, public transport, text messages, and social media, among others.

The message would contain a photograph and vital information that would assist the public in locating the child, such as the make and model of any vehicle involved in the abduction.

“We know that when a child is missing, the most valuable thing we can do is get information out to the public as quickly as possible. By getting the right information to the right people, at the right time, through Amber Alerts on Facebook, we hope to help reunite missing children with their families faster,” Facebook trust and safety director Emily Vacher said.

Home Affairs minister Carmelo Abela said that Facebook’s partnership was a valuable addition to the recently-launched Amber Alert system.

“The earlier the search begins and the bigger the number of people alerted, the better the chance of finding a missing, endangered child increases.

“Facebook’s decision, being the most popular social networking site in Malta, to team up with our Police Force, means that, in the eventuality of a missing endangered child, more people will be able to get involved in the search in those crucial first hours,” the minister said.