Facebook expiration settings mean now you see it, now you don't

If you are worried about something posted on Facebook coming back to haunt you, the social network has a plan to help.

It is testing out expiration settings; that is you decide how long your post exists – from one hour to seven days.

It is being offered initially on a pilot basis as a mobile app and just in New Zealand where the company has tested services in the past.

The automatic deletion option means posts can’t be subsequently shared by other users.

Snapchat first came up with this idea, but Facebook also has a very similar photo-messaging app called Slingshot which features disappearing content.