Combating child abuse requires a lot more than photos of cartoon figures

There is yet another meme on Facebook in support of a trigger. There are photos of cartoon characters replacing profile pictures left and right. Many different toons are getting used. This move of profile images is meant for “awareness.” It is also to “fight child abuse." Source of article – Childhood cartoons on Facebook – Child abuse needs more than thiss by Money Blog Newz.

Profile picture for Facebook, a cartoon character

“Change your FB profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood. The goal? To not see a human face on FB. Join the fight against child abuse. Copy & paste to your status to invite your friends to do the same.” This Facebook status has been making its rounds for the last few days. Many people are taking their friends up on this movement, using childhood cartoons from the 80’s and childhood cartoons from the 90’s as their picture. Some that have been used a lot are Pinky and the Brain, Strawberry Shortcake, and Might Mouse.

Child abuse awareness via cartoons

There are several times before where status changes and profile pictures have been used on Facebook to raise awareness for one thing or another. Often, there is a specific issue chosen for awareness. The problem is that awareness doesn't necessarily tell people how to actually take action. There isn't any data on just how lots of people are changing their profile picture to take part in this cause, but from appearances, thousands if not millions are taking part in this cause.

What more to do

Childhood cartoons from the 80’s and 90’s could be a fantastic reminder of better times, however they don’t actually help. Knowing an issue is a problem, and acting on it are not the same. When I’m not discounting how important awareness is, you should make a change beyond that to fully help the cause. To do something needs more than posting a cartoon, however spreading the awareness to others is a good step. If you feel inclined to you are able to always donate to child abuse centers, but a free easy way to take more action is to include the National Child Abuse Hotline phone number with your status so people know where to call for help, 1-800-4-A-CHILD. Until you take real action, a childhood cartoon is just a picture, not advocacy.