Why Cartoon Characters From the 80’s and 90’s Are Taking Over Facebook

Remember when people were updating their Facebook statuses with phrases about how they like “it” on the floor, or kitchen table, in an effort to raise awareness of breast cancer? It referred to a woman’s purse, but now Jem and the Holograms, Smurfette and the Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite and lots of other cartoon characters from the 70s, 80s and 90s are being taken along for the latest Facebook meme.

According to the Washington Post, this is a rehash of a trend from November, given a charitable purpose:

“From now until December 7, change your profile picture to a cartoon character from your childhood. The objective of this is not to see any human faces on facebook but an invasion of memories for the fight against Violence to Children. Remember we were kids too.”

As the Post points out, while the “I like it on” campaign may have encouraged a woman to do a self exam, is there any small step someone could really take to prevent violence against children?

Hopefully if you suspected a child was the victim of violence, it wouldn’t take a Facebook meme to remind you to report it, and we’re not sure someone who is violent towards a child will suddenly be swayed by seeing a cartoon from their childhood. Crazier things have happened though, and while posting pictures of your favorite cartoon may not help anything, it can’t hurt either. If you need a starting point, here are a few of our favorite cartoon characters.