World

Facebook removes ‘feeling fat’ emoji after online backlash

Replaces it with 'feeling stuffed' emoji

Web Desk March 11, 2015

8 young women from around the globe are asking facebook to remove the quot fat quot emoticon option their quot fat is not a feeling quot campaign photo change org

8 young women from around the globe are asking Facebook to remove the "Fat" emoticon option. Their "Fat is Not a Feeling" campaign. PHOTO: Change.org

After an online petition garnered more than 16,000 signatures, Facebook has pulled the plug on the “feeling fat” emoji as an option for the user’s status updates. Replacing it with the "feeling stuffed" emoji, the daily Telegraph reported.

The chubby-cheeked, double-chinned emoji was one of about 50 “feelings” icons Facebook users could add to their status updates.

PHOTO: CHANGE.ORG

“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, reads the statement released by Facebook on March 10.

PHOTO: CHANGE.ORG

The Change.org petition, set up by Catherine Weingarten and group Endangered Bodies, had sparked a debate over whether the social network is promoting body-shaming.

Supporters of the petition argued that "fat" is not a feeling, and that by including the smiling, double-chinned emoticon, Facebook was "encouraging negative body image among girls."

“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.”

The petition was also buoyed on Twitter with the hasthag #FatIsNotAFeeling.

Please keep the support coming and sign the #FatIsNotAFeeling petition http://t.co/yDSe0fkj6K pic.twitter.com/IpPTgTInlY
— AnyBodyIreland (@anybodyireland) March 6, 2015

Sharon Haywood, one of the founders of Endangered Bodies tweeted after the campaign's success:

Success for @EndangeredBodys #Fatisnotafeeling petition! We thank @Facebook for hearing our concerns & removing the "I feet fat" emoticon!
— Sharon Haywood 💚 (@Sharon_Haywood) March 10, 2015

Not 'fat' anymore, try 'stuffed'

Facebook has now replaced the 'feeling fat' emoji with a 'feeling stuffed' emoji.

The new emoji though still uses the same double-chinned smiling emoticon.