Is it forbidden to use pictures of animals such as cats and rabbits as avatars in forums, and is the fatwa that prohibits pictures of women, men, and children as avatars correct?

Depicting living beings is forbidden except out of necessity or pressing need. This prohibition is confined to still images and does not include digital images that only appear on a device, such as those on mobile phones and computers, due to their impermanence. These images are not included in the prohibition unless they are printed or contain something forbidden.