Facebook, the social networking website, is trying to help authorities when an Amber Alert for a missing child is issued.

Facebook will create Amber Alert pages for all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories. In the same way that users see updates from friends, Farmville or pages they "like," updates from the Amber Alert pages will appear in the newsfeed of those who have opted to receive posts about alerts in their area.

The announcement was made Wednesday, the day before the 15th anniversary of the kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, the inspiration and namesake for the program.

The new program is a joint effort between Facebook, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Department of Justice.

As of Friday, more than 8,000 Facebook friends had joined the program.