If you have a Facebook, chances are you’ve noticed a bunch of your friends have changed their profile pictures to cartoon characters. Now, maybe you’re like me and had no idea why this phenomena was occurring and thought it was all fun and games, like that month where everyone changed their profile picture to their favorite Pokemon. However, apparently the ultimate goal behind changing your profile picture is raising awareness about child abuse. Much like the October attempt to raise breast cancer awareness with pseudo-sexual statements about where your handbag is, this Facebook event is frivolous and ultimately pointless if no one actually takes action. In reality, you’re not doing anything but pointing out that child abuse exists and letting all of your friends know you really liked Darkwing Duck back in the day.
If you’re interested in making a real difference, here are three great organizations that are dedicated to getting children out of abusive situations and preventing child abuse. Donate your time, money, or heck, just learn some information on the subject.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
THANK YOU. Darkwing Duck is rad, but no one legitimately cares.
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Though changing a profile picture does not physically do anything to save a child from abuse, I think the main point is that it sparks the everyday facebook user’s attention (obviously it got to your curiousity). Doing something as silly and pointless as getting a bunch of people to change their picture or a status grabs the user’s attention, causing them to seek at the reason behind this trend. Once the origin is found, they see that it is to raise awareness about breast cancer or child abuse. For one minute of the day (and every time you see someone who changed their status/picture) you are reminded that child abuse or cancer exist. It also gives one the opportunity to talk about the issue at hand.
Thus this seemingly pointless and silly thing to do actually DOES have a point. Opening a door to discussion, which is the first step to creating change.
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You of course make an excellent point. My biggest problem with the event is that it fails to provide the participant with any information on how to further their efforts of awareness. We all know issues like child abuse exist, and while this event has provided an opportunity to talk or think about the issue, many people are still unaware on how they can actually help affect change.
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