Facebook Removes the 'Fat' Emoji Following Petition
Facebook Lost The Fat
16,000 supporters rejoice as Facebook remove the “feeling fat” emoticon from their status update options.It has been under a week since our last article on the double-chinned emoji and the disagreements that it sparked. The group Endangered Bodies led the petition against Facebook’s use of the word ‘fat’ and thankfully, the controversy seems to have gone in the best direction possible.
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| telegraph.co.uk |
The adjective was slated for not representing an actual feeling and for being judgmental and body shaming.
“My biggest concern with normalizing this kind of language is the effect it’s having on young people,” says Rebecca Guzelian, the leader of the petition.
Facebook’s response was simple, saying: “We've heard from our community that listing ‘feeling fat’ as an option for status updates could reinforce negative body image, particularly for people struggling with eating disorders. So we’re going to remove ‘feeling fat’ from the list of options. We’ll continue to listen to feedback as we think about ways to help people express themselves on Facebook.”
There you have it, there’s one less body shaming phrase on the internet. There’s still a long way to go and Guzelian has made it clear she’s not stopping there.
She is focusing on the still to be addressed “feeling ugly” option. Guzelian discusses how words like this “describe physical characteristics, NOT feelings.”
I guess this argument could never end. Facebook, maybe you should stick to happy, grumpy, sneezy and bashful, if you want to remain a bit more PC.
All joking aside, I am glad that Facebook have responded positively and I’m sure the “ugly” emoji will be a thing of the past in no time.
Megan Herdson
Megan is a country girl who moved to the city with some big dreams. She is studying her MA in Creative Writing whilst also managing an American Football Team. She loves her blog and wants nothing more than to have her words read. That and to win the Championship, obviously. Follow her @MeganAtSMF
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Facebook Removes the 'Fat' Emoji Following Petition
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Monday, March 16, 2015
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Reviewed by Unknown
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Monday, March 16, 2015
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