Facebook Adds AI Animation Tools to Win Back Young Users

Facebook is giving its 2.1 billion daily users a new way to express themselves with AI-powered animation tools that turn ordinary photos into playful, moving images.

The social media giant rolled out three major features this week. Users can now animate their profile pictures to show themselves waving, making heart shapes, or wearing virtual party hats. The tool works best with clear, forward-facing photos of a single person.

A new "Restyle" feature uses Meta AI to reimagine photos in Stories and Memories with completely different looks. Users can transform their images into anime-style art, add glowy or ethereal effects, or drop themselves into new settings like beaches or cityscapes. The tool accepts both text prompts and preset themes for quick customization.

Text posts are getting a boost too. Facebook is rolling out animated backgrounds that let users add moving scenes like falling leaves or rolling ocean waves behind their words. More seasonal options are coming throughout the year.

The Ripple Effect

These updates signal something bigger than just fun filters. Facebook has been working hard to stay relevant with younger users who increasingly prefer platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The company recently introduced a friends-only feed, unique display names in Groups similar to Reddit, and even brought back the classic poke feature with a dedicated button.

By embracing AI technology that lets people customize their online presence, Facebook is betting on personalization as the key to winning back Gen Z. The platform's willingness to evolve shows that even tech giants with billions of users understand they can't take loyalty for granted.

The new tools are available now, with more animation options planned for later this year as Facebook continues its mission to make the platform feel fresh and creative again.