Silicon Valley loves to celebrate its holidays, and Halloween is no exception. Facebook, in particular, is getting in the spirit by introducing a number of Halloween updates to its apps. If you like pumpkins, ghosts, and everything spooky, here’s how you can spread the fun on social media.
First off, if you enjoy those colorful text posts, Facebook is adding a handful of Halloween-themed backgrounds as options. You can find these as you’re crafting a text post. If you don’t like these text posts, the designs are almost cute enough to make you want to give it a shot.
In the main Facebook app’s camera, which you use for taking and posting photos, you’ll see 12 different Halloween-themed masks and frames you can accessorize your photos with. These include adding whiskers and cat ears to your face, and fun borders, among other options. Facebook’s camera also features an interactive augmented reality game. The update transforms you into a trick-or-treater who has to escape from a spooky haunted house by hopping up the walls.
In Facebook Messenger, you’ll also see a handful of new spooky Halloween masks and filters you can beautify your images and videos with. This includes a unique jack-o-lantern crown, a timely take on those popular flower crown filters. If you hop on video chat in the app, you’ll have access to the same camera effects and features.
If you want to go Live on Facebook, the app also has a number of masks you can use to spookify your visage. These include a literal virtual vampire mask (that covers your face like a real-life mask would), and a bride of Frankenstein hairdo you can wear with a black and white filter, for that old-school Hollywood horror movie feel.
And then, of course, there’s what to do with yourself on All Hallows Eve. Facebook reports there are more than 500,000 Halloween events planned this year. Depending on your interests and location, the app will suggest events that may be of interest through in-app prompts.
If you aren’t a fan of Halloween, you may just want to stay off social media until November.