Cartoon Character Facebook Profile Pictures Go Viral: Here's Why

Wondering why your best friend suddenly looks a lot like Scooby Doo?

If you've noticed your Facebook friends replacing their profile pictures with cartoon characters, you're not alone.

As All Facebook notes, a new cartoon character-centric meme is spreading on the social network as users swap their photos for snapshots of their favorite cartoon characters from their childhood.

All Facebook observes that the following status update has been found with some users who have taken part in the trend, adding that it "appears that participants are supposed to switch their profile photo at some point between the 12th of November and the 30th":

NewGame: Change your profile picture to your favorite cartoon from when you were a kid. The goal of this game is not to see a human picture on Facebook, but an invasion of childhood memories until Monday. PLAY AND PASS ALONG!

Another Facebook user posted the following instructions:

From the 12th to the 22nd of November, change your profile picture on Facebook to an image from a cartoon from your childhood. The goal of the game? Not to have a single human face on Facebook, but an invasion of our collective childhood memories for the time of a week. It's up to you to take action and to forward this message.

A few people took to Twitter to discuss the Facebook meme. "Why is everyone suddenly posting cartoon pictures as their profile pics on facebook?," asked Lady_QE.

Will you take part? What was your favorite cartoon character when you were a kid?

Comments

[naggingtree]

04:48 PM on 12/06/2010

Yeah. My own shattered psyche as well as the tons of children still suffering with nowhere to go and no one to talk to are so grateful for your "pictures". You're doing SO MUCH for us.

[TootitBootit]

12:07 AM on 12/06/2010

The first thing I said on facebook about this was "How is putting up a picture of a cartoon going to help child abuse?" Then I posted an article on how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse in children. LOL

[Captain Blondie]

02:45 PM on 12/05/2010

actually reference changing your profile picture to a cartoon character.... its to bring awareness to child abuse. Thats what all of my contacts are doing it for. We are also posting prayers for them as well. That was the original idea from what I understand.

[vidposter]

09:07 AM on 12/05/2010

Well I'd be careful as the groups/pages that are leaching on this campaign are said to be pedophiles, what are a way for pedo's to track down young mothers profiles... just look for a cartoon pic, then the trend catches on and mothers join the group or page - there has been no official release on this campaign by a proper or recognized charity or support group against child abuse.

[stevels]

07:07 AM on 12/06/2010

If everyone is changing their portraits then how its that going to make it any easier for a pedo to find a child or their mother's page??? Your logic is a bit flawed.
These things started because someone thought it would be fun to get millions of people follow their whim. It's like an ocean wave that once starts has to travel it's course. I doubt pedo's started this for their benefit but they might get their surfboards out to try and ride this wave, Some teens in Indonesia probably started this. The tweens ans teens are a live a global consciousness passing these trends across FB... it's a strange thing to watch.

[Cartoonist-Illustrator]

10:16 PM on 12/04/2010

Cartoon pictures for Facebook profiles can also be used via my online web cartoon library: http://www.danscartoons.com and I also specialize in crating custom profile picture images: http://www.danscartoons.com/custom_cartoons.htm

[vameric]

05:13 PM on 12/04/2010

hmp....it's really different..

[space77]

11:14 AM on 12/04/2010

A coworker and I both donated to shelters associated with domestic violence, $5 for each friend who had a cartoon character profile picture. We've donated over $300 so far....and hope that others will do the same!!

[himadri dimri]

01:00 AM on 12/04/2010

I think this is a good way to at least raise a voice against child abuse and a great way to remember those stress free days of your life. Children are exposed to violence everywhere these days. There are TV series, video games all adding up to it. When I was a kid I had a lovely time with my cartoons and its a pleasure to go back to that time or atleast remember that time with these profile pictures. It even shows an extra face of your friend. Just as my friend doesnt speak so much but she has a profile photo of Uncle Scrooge showing that is ambitious at heart. :) What do you think?

[shari123]

01:05 PM on 12/03/2010

The invasion of Cartoons on FaceBook is until December 6th and it is to bring awareness of child abuse and prevention.

[Jim Shaffer]

08:23 AM on 12/03/2010

When you think your life's in danger,
when you're threatened by a stranger,
when you think you're 'bout to take a lickin'.
There is always someone who will hurry up and rescue you, so call for SUPERCHICKEN!

[GodBlessAmerica]

06:10 PM on 12/04/2010

Bock Bock Bock!! :)

[stevels]

07:09 AM on 12/06/2010

forgot all about superchicken... what a riot

[Lynn R]

03:20 AM on 12/03/2010

Change your
fb profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood. The goal ? To not
see a human face on fb till Monday, December 6. Join the fight against
CHILD ABUSE copy & paste to your status to invite friends to do the
same

[Alex Gio]

12:13 PM on 11/28/2010

The picture change represents a movement to support children's rights week. Research, research, research....

[Nikhil Gala]

04:01 AM on 11/28/2010

This event ends today, if want to continue, RSVP below event,

I am gonna keep my Profile Picture as a Cartoon Character for ONE MORE week

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147552358625885 have fun! :)

[kdheepak89]

01:24 PM on 11/25/2010

The origin of this Cartoon Character Profile Picture for a Week is because of this event!!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108715275864151

[mjraymond]

06:24 PM on 11/22/2010

I already took part! I used to run around the house with a towel safety-pinned around my neck because I wanted to be Underdog!