There is a rumor started yesterday on Facebook and in the blogs that the cartoon character profile picture swap on Facebook (read the original report) was invented by a pedophile group in order to have children be more relaxed in accepting unknown friends.
Another rumor says that Facebook will terminate the account of anyone that continues to use a cartoon character as their profile picture.
Both the rumors are hoaxes, as several fact checking web sites and blogs have debunked these.
Just like the viral-like spread of the cartoon character profile pictures, the rumors of pedophiles invading Facebook with a diabolical plan are continuing to spread despite the denouncements.
Many variations are seen across the Facebook entries.
Hoax-Slayer dispels the rumor that pedophiles are behind the cartoon character Facebook changes: The claims in the warning are false The suggestion that the "cartoon character" profile picture change campaign is a paedophile scheme is utter nonsense.
The Online Journalism Blog confirms the hoax: There doesn’t appear to be any truth in the latter rumour. Internet hoax library Snopes has a similar hoax listed, and this seems to be variant of it.
That’s Nonsense reports: Summary - the idea of changing your profile picture to a favorite cartoon character (and the later evolution of standing up to child abuse) were harmless enough and do it if you still want to as it certainly has got people talking about the subject. Any spin-off rumour which evolves pedophiles is baseless rubbish designed to cause controversy, just like hundreds of other false rumours involving Facebook pedophiles
Many different groups have been investigating the claims and so far have proven them to be false.
Snopes reports a similar rumor as a hoax.
There are also reports of people using a registered charity to lure children into their trap. This is also not true.
It is not known who started the cartoon character profile swap, but it does appear to be someone’s well-intentioned way of bringing awareness of child abuse and violence.
There is no child abuse or child violence group that is involved with the original spread of cartoon profile placement.
Others bloggers have suggested that the emergence of the cartoon craze is due to the older 50+ year-olds that are reaching back to their childhood to recall some of their childhood cartoons.
Read the original cartoon character report.
Comments
Thank you very much for putting this out there. I tried as hard as I could yesterday to stop the rumor spread on my news feed, but there were two ignorant others that were spreading the lie. SO glad someone wrote the truth.
Well... Ms. Seeley,
Some of us ignorant are fearing parents... I am a father myself... and if its one thing this world tought me is its ok to fear for your child's safety. Better to be over cautious and be wrong than to under estamate. It could hold serious consequences...
If you really cared about your child's safety you'd keep them off facebook and monitor their online time. And this is coming from a father too.
Well, Joshua, being a parent is no excuse for over-reacting without fact-checking. Don't be so prone to accepting anything you hear at face value next time.
Joshua,
I got cha! I am a fearing parent too. I error on the side of caution!
Those who want to act like we are over exaggerating let them complain, because I am all about my sons safety.
And you know what people, you always say- oh well watch your kids more! I say to you - FU- cause I am like a hawk with my kid but things still get by me. I have to work, clean my house feed my family, pay bills and respond to this blog. I don't have an army of people to watch my sons every second!
But pedophiles are watching every second cause that is their only job!
Joshua I understand your concern. My gripe is spreading rumors about a good thing like child abuse awareness and turning it into something bad like this is absurd and a travesty. All parents concerned about their child's safety should check up on their child's online activities and no that cartoon pictures or not they're creeps out their that you need to protect your kids from.
Pedophiles are not jumping through the internet to steal your children by using facebook. Please stop being an alarmist and talk to kids about the danger of strangers on the internet and know what kids are doing when online. If you don’t have the time or inclination to monitor them, disable their ability to access web content. Social networking is for mature adults and supervised children. Enough said.
pedophiles would jump thru the computer screen if they could!
I just get annoyed with people who believe everything they see posted on FB and spread more rumors without doing their own research first. When I saw the hoax about the pedophiles starting the cartoon profile change, the first thing I did was check snopes.com and hoax slayer. NOT immediately copy and paste what one of my "friends" posted.
For those that commented on my post... i agree with the monitoring of a child on a comp. but my little girl is only 6yrs. she dont get on... yet... I am still learning to fear for my childs saftey, and may jump to conclusions... I am human...
I just want to know when did PEDOPHILES start having meetups? This is ridiculous...if ur child is easily lured by a picture of an cartoon character....keep them away from the computer PERIOD!
GG I agree with you They couldn't even have meetups they are predators and they would fight each other I agree with most the people on here just don't let your kids on facebook or just watch them!
If you get your facts from Snoops.com, then you're just as screwed and prove to everyone you're still believing everything you read on the internet! Thanks for bringing laughter to us! While I'm all about protecting children, changing your picture on Facebook will not protect or do anything to help them. If you want to help children, then join a cause and donate your time and money.
pedophiles would jump thru the computer screen if they could!
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