Make Your Own 'Quarantine' Avatar on Facebook

Facebook has started rolling out its Bitmoji-like custom avatars to use in comments, Stories, and Facebook Messenger. These have been out for a while internationally, and have just been introduced to the U.S., though you may not see them just yet.

Why now? Facebook's Fidji Simo announced the launch on Facebook itself, saying that since so many interactions are online these days, "it’s more important than ever to be able to express yourself personally on Facebook."

How to get yours: Simo says that you create your avatar in Facebook or Messenger comment composer. You click the smiley-face icon, then the sticker tab. There should be a "Create Your Avatar!" button there. Lifewire staff aren't seeing the tool, just yet, so it could be a bit before you see it on your own Facebook.

Diversity: The avatars should include a variety of skin colors, outfits, and styles to match your own unique self. "It’s important to us that you can personalize your avatar so it represents your unique, authentic self," wrote Simo in her post, "which is why we’re also adding in a new range of customizations, too—such as new hairstyles, complexions, and outfits."

Bottom line: As The Verge points out, Facebook has seen a huge surge in usage during the pandemic, making features like this important to a large number of folks out there. Having a more visually identifiable presence on the social media platform could help us all feel a bit more invested in it, too. Could it possibly make us all a little kinder and more accountable? Here's hoping.

Via: The Verge