Facebook users can now opt-in to receive AMBER alerts in their respective states or any state the user designates. Online AMBER alerts are already disseminated through AOL, Google, and Yahoo, but it will be interesting to see how effective the second most visited site in the world can be when it comes to finding missing kids.

You can participate by going to Facebook.com/AMBERAlert. Pick your state and select the Like button. The Alerts will be added to your newsfeed along with all of your other friends’ updates.

This is fantastic news! Considering the viral nature of Facebook, the results should only be positive, I’d think. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has currently reported that 525 kids have already been restored to their families since the initiation of the AMBER Alert program 15 years ago and I’m sure that number is destined to rise with Facebook as an ally. It will be exciting to see.

Think about it: If someone changes their profile picture, their entire friends list is going to know about it a second later. And you can spread the word about pretty much anything else just as quickly, from failed relationships to new ones, to random purchases and fluctuating moods, it’s only natural that something of actual importance finds its way into our news feeds at some point.

So sign up! And while you’re at it, check out the NetHosting page. Does anybody know if AMBER Alerts can be accessed on Twitter now too?