Facebook offers a hug from distance, with emoji update

Facebook is reaching out to give the world a hug — in the form of an emoji people can share while staying safely apart.

The lineup of characters available to express feelings in the social network will be expanded next week to include a well-known round yellow cartoon face with arms that gently embrace a red heart.

The move to express “care” adds to the existing emojis including the well-known “like” button and more recent icons to express love, laughter, sadness, anger and awe.

“We’re launching new care reactions on Facebook app and Messenger as a way for people to share their support with one another during this unprecedented time,” spokesman Alexandru Voica said in a series of tweets Friday.