Avatars are virtual representations of an actual person within a virtual space.

The term comes from Hindu philosophy and refers to the incarnation of a higher being into an Earthly form.

Many virtual world platforms allow you to customize your avatar.

There is great speculation regarding the ethics involved in choosing an avatar. Some feel avatars should closely resemble their real life counterparts while others feel avatars should be more symbolic. Much controversy surrounds the choice of many platform developers to make idealized avatars as they can reinforce negative public perceptions of beauty and the human form. Some argue that it is more appropriate for avatars to not even take human form.