Removing the Feeling Fat emoticon was a response to a petition launched by activists associated with Endangered Bodies, a group that fights body hatred internationally. The Petition which said “fat is not a feeling,” and that by including the smiling, double-chinned emoticon, Facebook was “encouraging negative body image among girls.” gained more than 16,000 signatures in just few days. Such a large scale user opposition finally made Facebook sit up and remove the Feeling Fat emoticon, a spokesperson from the FB said that, Facebook will keep listening to feedback as it helps Facebook to help people express their feelings or emotions, the spokesperson added further. The ‘feeling fat’ option is no longer available, but the emoticon with chubby cheeks remains. It’s labeled ‘feeling stuffed’.” The petitions on Change.org was few of the several petitions launched online by the Activist group Endangered Bodies, as part of a February Campaign on National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The Petition filed by the 24-year-old student Catherine Weingarten garnered huge support among Facebook users and managed to get 16,000 signatories. The petition on Change.org stated that, The Feeling Fat emoticon is no longer available on the Facebook however, “feeling stuffed” emoticon with same rosy-cheek is still available. Moreover Facebook users can still update several other emoticons like, ‘feeling full’, “feeling ugly” etc, which may be offensive to someone. When Facebook users set their status to “feeling fat,” they are making fun of people who consider themselves to be overweight, which can include many people with eating disorders. That is not ok. Join me in asking Facebook to remove the “fat” emoji from their status options.”
