Facebook allows its users to select various feelings and activities from a list when they can then attach to their status updates. The list is pretty lengthy and has all kinds options that range from watching movies, playing sports, reading and more. The social network came under pressure recently for the “feeling fat” emoticon and an online petiton urged it to remove this status emoticon. Facebook has complied with the wishes of the people and has removed this option.
An online petition was set up recently that urged Facebook to remove “feeling fat,” arguing that “fat is not a feeling,” and that the double-chinned smiling emoticon was inappropriate. It was also claimed that with this emoticon Facebook was encouraging “negative body image among girls.”
In a statement Facebook has confirmed that this status emoticon has now been removed. The social network said that it received feedback from the community that this option “could reinforce negative body image,” which is why it has been removed.
The petition, launched on Change.org, came from the group called Endangered Bodies. It was part of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in February.
The people who worked so hard to bring about change through this petition will be understandably joyed by Facebook’s decision to comply. Facebook says that it will continue to listen to feedback as it comes up with new ways that help people express themselves on the social network.
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