What Is a Furry? 101 Expert Tips for Parents

Have you seen someone dressed in a fun costume like a cartoon? They might be a “furry,” a group of people who love dressing up and acting like animals. Kids find it cool and exciting, but there are some things parents should know about. 

In this blog post, we’ll explain what furries are and help parents understand how to handle their child’s interest in them.

The Basics: So What Is a Furry?

So what are the furries meaning? “Furry” means the fascinating world of individuals captivated by the enchanting realm of anthropomorphic or cartoon animals (e.g., Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny)–creatures imbued with human-like attributes and characteristics. The spectrum of this furry world is vast, ranging from adoring artwork featuring animal characters to creating a unique fantastical fursona that serves as a symbolic extension of their alter-ego. 

What Is a Fursona?

In the vibrant world of the furry subculture, a fursona is a fascinating representation of your true self, artfully presented as a unique animal with endearing human qualities. This magical persona can be a stunning reflection of your alter-ego or a fascinating blend of yourself and a certain animal species. 

Your fursona shouldn’t be exactly like you. It’s all about using your imagination and being creative. There are no set rules on how to make your fursona perfect, as long as you don’t copy someone else’s.

What Do Furries Do?

From dance parties and gaming competitions to art shows and charity events, the furry community is full of vibrant and dynamic personalities who love to embrace their creativity. The furry community frequently gathers at meetups and conventions to talk with like-minded individuals, proudly display their meticulously crafted fursuits, and engage in various exciting furry activities. 

Online platforms such as websites, forums, and social media groups offer furries the opportunity to socialize and forge new friendships within the community easily. It is similar to ComicCon but designed solely to captivate people who self-identify as furries. 

Furscience conducted a comprehensive survey of the furry community to ascertain the degree of significance attributed to the fundamental practices associated with the furry lifestyle. As a result, 14 furry-related activities were identified based on the data received. Participants were then asked to rate the importance of each activity on a 7-point scale, where “1”–completely disagree and “7”–completely agree:  

The categories “Art,” “Community,” “Conventions,” “Internet Groups,” and “Acceptance” were seen as really important, while “Drama” and “Sex” weren’t that important to most of them.

What Are the Risks?

Furries love animal-human characters, but sometimes bad stuff happens. Everyone (parents and furries) must ensure young people are safe. It means having rules about what’s okay to share, reporting bad behavior, and being responsible online. So what are the most significant risks of being a furry?

• Bullying: Furries in school and their online life frequently face bullying that leads to depression. This problem may result in detrimental effects on one’s mental health and overall well-being. 
• Lie: Adopting a fursona means pretending to be a different age than you are. It’s exciting, but you should be careful because people on the internet might not be honest about who they are.
• Isolation from the real world: Some people who like furry things might get into it and ignore real-life friends and activities.
• Inappropriate behavior: Some furries may be sexual predators or misbehave, possibly posing a danger to others at events and gatherings.
• In-person meetings: Although interactions between furries start on ordinary popular social media websites like Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, they may be encouraged to meet in person. It can make protecting kids from dangerous people who might harm them harder.
• Stigma: People often judge the furry fandom and its members badly, which can cause them to be treated unfairly and labeled with bad reputations.

How and Where Furries Catch Up with Each Other Online?

Although there are numerous social media portals furries gather to catch up with each other online, these are the most popular:

• r/Furry, a subreddit boasting over 1.3K members.
• Furhub emulates a convention atmosphere, providing a space for hangouts, avatars, and discussion.
• WikiFur serves as an encyclopedia of over 21000 user-edited articles in English.
• Furry Talk and Chill is a popular destination for those seeking a space to chat and relax.
• FurAffinity.net provides a platform for creators to showcase and publish fan art.
• Discord boasts custom servers that cater to furries with chat and roleplaying centered around their unique culture.
• YouTube has furry live streamers whose live content is available for viewership.
• The vast landscape of social media, including popular platforms such as Tumblr, Instagram, and TikTok, offers a lot of creative and intriguing posts related to the furry community, all of which are easily accessible through the #furry hashtag.
• Roblox also features the inclusion of adorable and cuddly furry characters.

4 Common Misconceptions About Furries

Although the furry community has become very popular worldwide, most people know very little about them or have a wrong understanding of their real meaning. Let’s explain and list to you the most popular misconceptions out there about furries.

• Furries are crazy or have sexual nature: People sometimes don’t understand why someone would want to dress up like a cartoon animal or make up a character that’s part human or part animal. Some think it’s because they’re crazy or it’s a sex thing, but that’s not true. 

Studies show that people who do this like it as a hobby and enjoy being part of a group of people who like it too. They might draw their character or talk about them online with other fans. It’s just a fun way to express themselves and connect with others who like the same thing.

• All furries think they are animals: Furries practice the art of animal costume, but it is important to note that they do not believe they are animals or have any spiritual connection to them. Research shows that while a minority of furries feel like they’re less than human, the majority see themselves as people who enjoy exploring their fascination with the animal kingdom through playing with costumes.
• Furries = cosplayers: Furries and cosplayers might seem similar at first glance, but they’re different groups. Furries sometimes wear special suits they designed, but it’s not required. Cosplayers dress up as fictional or famous characters. The main goal of furries is to take on a new identity (called a “fursona”), while cosplayers aim to act like the person they’re dressed up as.
• Litter boxes in schools: There is a myth that schools are putting litter boxes for students who identify as furries or participate in furry communities, but it’s false.

Is Being a Furry Safe for Kids?

When children express an interest in how to be a furry by watching furry videos, reading furry content, drawing furries, or just playing with friends, parents need to take proper precautions to ensure their safety. This can include monitoring their online activity and discussing the inappropriate furry content they read and the individuals they’re communicating with. 

If some furries are sexually motivated, they can go online for furry dating or find content called “furry porn.” It could be fan fiction, pictures, stories, and videos that show people or animals in sexual situations. This type of content can show any age of a person or animal, and it can be animated or real. Parents need to ensure their kids know to avoid this kind of stuff online.

6 Online Safety Experts’ Tips About Furries

As a parent, it is crucial to recognize when your kid begins to express an interest in joining a community, whether online or in person. You must approach relevant topics with sensitivity and mindfulness, creating a safe and trusting environment that fosters open communication between you and your kid. To assist you in this endeavor, our team of online safety specialists has gathered several expert tips about furries.

• Be unbiased and open-minded: Entering your child’s interests with an unbiased and open mind is key. Don’t be quick to judge or dismiss their passion. Instead, try asking thought-provoking, open-ended questions about what drives them. Remember to stay empathetic, even if you don’t understand what has captured their heart.
• Do your homework: If you want to immerse yourself in a community, you must put in some effort! Do some research and learn more about furries. By doing this, you’ll be able to converse more freely and be an informed participant in the conversations. Plus, you’ll be able to understand what your child is talking about, which is always a bonus!
• Try to feel what your kid does: Delve into a lively conversation about what it truly means to embrace the furry lifestyle with your child. Ask them why they decided to become a furry and the benefits of participating in this community. Tell your kid about suitable behavior in both digital and real-life communication.
• Talk about online safety: It’s important to discuss the potential dangers of interacting with strangers online. You need to ensure they understand that only some people they meet online are telling the truth about who they are, and there’s a big difference between someone’s online persona and their real identity.
• Tell about the support system and potential dangers: Teach your kids the importance of having a solid support system, a group of people they can turn to when they need guidance or a listening ear. Regarding strangers, ensure your child understands the potential dangers and the red flags to watch out for. With knowledge and preparation, they can confidently navigate the real world and avoid falling victim to predators or other dangers.
• Join a parent’s group: If your kid joined a group and you are worried about it and want to talk with someone who has experienced the same event, join a parent’s group. It can help ease your worries while providing a wealth of resources and support systems for you and your family. 

Questions to Start a Conversation with Your Child About Furries

Is your child interested in furries? Don’t panic! As a parent, it can be daunting to know where to start when it comes to navigating this unique culture. But fear not because we’ve covered you with some potential conversation starters.

For instance, show your interest in furries, how your child became aware of them, and what draws them to this community. Have they attended any events or gatherings? How do they feel that being a furry impacts their sense of self-expression? 

It’s critical to enter this conversation with an open mind, free of judgment. You can better comprehend your child’s interests and perspectives by listening actively and asking meaningful questions. Who knows, you might even learn something new!

Help Protect Your Child Online with uMobix

Protecting your child from potential online or offline harm is paramount for any parent. As much as you may try to keep an eye on them, you can’t always be there to monitor their every move. That’s where uMobix comes in, one of the best parental spy apps available.

With uMobix installed on your child’s phone, you can keep your child safe online. You’ll gain access to all their text messages, GPS locations, call logs, and social media activities on platforms such as Reddit, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. 

Knowing exactly what your child is up to can give you peace of mind and help you identify potential dangers. Don’t let suspicious friends into furry culture lead your child astray. Invest in uMobix today and stay in control of your child’s digital footprint.

The Bottom Line

It’s important to remember that while many children are interested in furry culture, it’s crucial to ensure their safety in online interactions. Predators may use a child’s love of cute animals and cartoons for grooming. 

In a recent case concerning online child safety, the attention of many was drawn to an incident involving a mature individual who identified as a “furry.” This furry man utilized various online platforms, including Twitter, Discord, Oculus, and TextNow, to engage a 13-year-old. Tragically, the man kidnapped the child, but luckily, they were found alive. This situation serves as a sobering reminder of the utmost importance of vigilance in monitoring the online interactions of our children, even in cases that may initially appear harmless.