Avatar, avatar... wasn't that some cartoon or something? Unless you're an avid gamer, the fact that you know the word "avatar" is probably thanks to James Cameron and his 2009 sci-fi blockbuster that made the phrase popular outside the gamer scene.

Now, the world's largest social network has brought that same word back into everyday vocabulary with a cartoon version of your face.

If you haven't already noticed, the Facebook app now lets you make your own avatar - a kind of personal emoji or digital version of yourself - you can use when responding to posts on the platform.

The idea is far from new, of course, and personalised emojis have been around for quite some time, for example with Bitmoji or Memojis on iMessage. But as of May this year, it officially the latest big thing on Facebook.

The platform's version lets you send individual stickers to friends and to react to comments and posts with your digital self, thus giving conversations a more personal, if cartoonish, touch.

Your avatar's emotional spectrum is probably a little more narrow than yours, however: It can cry, laugh, giggle, look sceptical, crack open some champagne, thank people and shout OMG.

To set your own one up, head to the menu in the mobile app and select "See More" and go to the Avatars section.

Facebook wouldn't be Facebook if it wasn't for the fact that this new function was also dividing the community: Some people love avatars, others say they're the new food selfies.

 - dpa