According to Facebook, users can use their personalised avatar to share a range of emotions and expressions that is unique to the individual.

"There are many ways you can use your avatar — including in comments, Stories, Messenger, and soon, text posts with backgrounds too," says the team at Facebook. 

"With so many emotions and expressions to choose from, avatars let you share your authentic reactions and feelings with family and friends across the app. You can customise your avatar with hairstyles, complexions, outfits, COVID-19 support stickers and more," adds the team.

To create an avatar, individuals can go to the Facebook or Messenger comment composer. From there, they can click on the 'smiley' button and then the sticker tab. Then they click 'Create Your Avatar'.
 
"Facebook is home to some of your most personal content and we want to allow people to share and react to that content in the most personalised way possible," says Nunu Ntshingila, regional director at Facebook Africa.

"We're excited to give people more options to convey their identity on Facebook — allowing them to share in a more personal, light-hearted way," concludes Ntshingila.

The platform has indicated that the new avatars include hundreds of global sticker packs and integrations with GIF providers. Additionally, they can also be shared across Facebook and Messenger by:
  • setting as a profile picture
  • sharing to a news feed, and
  • using on a gaming profile.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com