It took an online petition and constant pressure from netizens over the past two weeks to prompt Facebook to yank its "feeling fat" emoticon from its status list.
In an online posting, Facebook stated it was removing the "feeling fat" option from the status updates list given users' strong and negative feedback on how the option could reinforce mutative body images, especially for those with eating disorders.
"We'll continue to listen to feedback as we think about ways to help people express themselves on Facebook," stated the social media company on the Change.org page where Facebook users had created an online petition against the "fat" emoticon.
Facebook's decision to remove the status was loudly applauded by users and petitioners.
"It's great to have a response to the many voices of people who wanted this change. Kind of a real democratic process," wrote Luise Eichenbaum of New York. Dominique Jodry-Lapointe of Canada was happy to hear the news as well.
"Thanks Facebook, for understanding why this was wrong. Thanks for making a difference," she wrote.
The social network giant had barely uploaded the new status option when feedback and backlash hit hard and fast.
Endangered Bodies initiated a campaign shortly after the emoticon's appearance, and the Change.org petition drew nearly 20,000 supporters.
Endangered Bodies said the emoticon made fun of "people who consider themselves overweight ... all [we] ask is that it stop endorsing self-destructive thoughts through seemingly harmless emojis."
Tech Times earlier reported Facebook initially defended its new status icon by stating that "people use Facebook to share their feelings with friends and support each other. One option we give people to express themselves is to add a feeling to their posts. You can choose from over 100 feelings we offer based on people's input or create your own."
The furor, however, didn't die down as Facebook's response appeared to ignite even greater public outcry over the emoticon.
It isn't the first time the social network has had to deal with such an issue. The gender identifier also came under scrutiny. Facebook at first did not provide lots of options for all the various gender identities but expanded its list after public outcry that it was not being accepting of various user populations and that it needed to include an "other" option for those users who don't identify with any type of gender identity.
