The FaceBack system incorporates an automated mechanism for remotely capturing the reaction of the receiver of a text message. This mechanism is started when the texter incorporates instructions into a text message to take a photo or record a video when the text is read by a receiver. The receiving device scans the incoming text message and takes a photo or records a video of the receiving user when the user reads the text message. Once the video is recorded or the picture is taken, the video or picture is returned to the texter through the SMS system.