Facebook Charity Hoax - Share Picture to Help Starving Children

Outline
Facebook message that includes a photograph of a severely malnourished child claims that Facebook will donate $1 to help starving children each time the image is shared.



Brief Analysis
The message is a deplorable hoax perpetrated by that despicable type of Facebook user known as a "like-whore". Facebook will certainly not donate money to help starving children in exchange for sharing this or any other photograph. Any message that makes such a claim is sure to be a hoax. Sharing this disturbing picture will do nothing other than to help the sick and immoral individual who created the hoax to amass shares and likes. Please do not share or like the image. If you encounter this post, please report it to Facebook.

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Last updated: July 17, 2012
First published: July 17, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example

Detailed Analysis
This message, which is currently circulating rapidly around Facebook, claims that Facebook will donate $1 to help starving children each time that an included photograph is shared on the network. The photograph depicts a young, severely malnourished child on a red mat.

However, the message is a disgusting hoax that uses an image of a starving child stolen from another source. The claim that Facebook will donate to help starving children in exchange for sharing an image is utter nonsense. Sharing the image will not help this or any other child in the slightest way. In fact, this disgraceful piece of nonsense is just one more in a seemingly endless series of similar hoaxes that claim that money will be donated in exchange for sharing or liking a sick child's photograph.

You might wonder why any person would purposely create and send out such nasty hoaxes. The sad truth is that the people who create these hoaxes are typically motivated only by the sick desire to collect large numbers of likes and shares on Facebook. These people are willing to steal and misuse pictures of sick or injured children - some of whom have died - just to stroke their own egos. To label these people contemptible is an understatement. Because of this unconscionable behavior these people have deservedly been dubbed "like-whores" by other Facebook users.

Of course, once such a hoax has been created and published, many other users do share or like it in the utterly misguided belief that they really are helping the stricken child depicted in the photograph. However, "liking" or "sharing" such messages will do nothing other than gratify the vile wishes of the people who create such hoaxes. These people have no place on Facebook or any other social network. Such hoaxes are NOT harmless. Often, the unauthorized circulation of such photographs causes great distress to the child's family. Sharing such hoax messages is immoral and irresponsible. And since they do absolutely zero to help the pictured children, sharing these messages is utterly pointless as well.

If you do encounter one of these hoaxes, please report it to Facebook. Please do NOT comment on the photo or the wall where the photo has been posted, as this just gives the hoax more unwarranted exposure. Commenting puts the offending photo on to the news feeds of your Facebook friends.

Rather than sending on this terrible and useless hoax, please consider contributing to a reputable children's help organization such as World Vision.

References
Hoax - Facebook Will Donate $1 Per Share For Baby With Cancer
Facebook Share Hoax - $1.20 Per Share to Help Girl With Cancer
A Special Appeal to Facebook Users - Unauthorised Use of Baby Zoe Chambers Photograph
World Vision Australia

Last updated: July 17, 2012
First published: July 17, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer