Disturbing YouTube Trend: Tweens Post ‘Am I Ugly?’ Videos Looking for Feedback
- Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:28pm by
Liz Klimas
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Just as Glenn Beck interviewed former Victoria’s Secret model Kylie Bisutti on GBTV who stopped posing in lingerie due to her faith and in the hopes that she’d influence young girls by promoting positive body images, a disturbing trend has been growing in popularity on YouTube over the last couple years.
It’s called “Am I ugly?” The Daily Mail reports that girls as young as 11 are posting videos of themselves for the Internet world to provide feedback. As you can imagine, it’s not all positive — or clean:
sgal901 (Photo: YouTube)
One video, uploaded by sgal901, sees a pretty young blonde asking whether she is ugly and posing in a selection of photographs.
Her film has been watched an astonishing 3,432,137 times since being uploaded in December 2010.
“A lot of people tell me I’m ugly. I think I’m ugly and fat,” she says to the camera.
Laying herself open to the dark anonymity of the internet, comments are a mixed bag.
Some fall into extremes – either over-the-top compliments, suggesting sex, or reflecting a level of animosity that is stunningly harsh.
“This is such a stupid video……What stupid person would record a video like this one and then upload on YouTube don’t they notice that they are just embarrassing their self by the way you are ugly the only thing I see in this video is ugliness I see no beauty” writes one watcher.
Here‘s sgal’s video:
This young lady uploaded a video just a couple days ago because she had noticed several other girls doing the same:
The trend has become so popular, there are even several parody videos. This young woman even asks people to stop making the videos:
Amy Gaff, who writes the San Francisco Chronicals’ The Mommy Files blog, writes that YouTube is the “last place” that these youngsters should be going for affirmation. Gaff laments the website’s lack of oversight on its own policies, noting that those younger than 13 are not allowed to post videos. She writes, “[...] so then why is there a video of an 11-year-old girl asking the world if she’s ugly? Where are this girl’s parents? Something is wrong with this picture.”
It should be noted that females aren’t the only ones uploading these types of videos soliciting feedback. A significant number of boys and men are doing so as well.
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Comments (78)
deano24
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:06pmIt’s a sad state for young girls having to post that question on Youtube & then have strangers leave comments on it.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:49pmParents are too busy trying to look younger than their kids so is this surprising? No! It’s absolutely disgusting!!! Hollywood and false vanity have taken over American women and teens! Sickening!
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 11:20pm…some of these kids are , unfortunately, asking for big trouble. no one has taught them to find beauty inside themselves…instead of youtube. sad…and people wonder why dads are shooting their daughters laptops.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:51amWhere are the parents?? They allow their children to post vids of themselves on the net??? My god, WAKE UP PARENTS!!!
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 6:54amI don’t understand why people are blaming parents for this. No one can micromanage their kids lives, especially if they have more than one, and have a healthy personal life. This is really no different than you going out when you were young and sneaking a smoke when you were 12 with your friends. Your parents never knew. You survived.
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:36amThis is why our computer monitor is our television. We also do not allow any social sites. I don’t understand parents who allow their children to be in contact with total strangers. Would these parents allow their children to go anywhere with whomever because they are “friends” on facebook or because they said something nice to their daughter on youtube. Kids this age understand only one thing…instant gratification. They will listen to those who give their feedback and make unbelievablly poor decisions to get it. Parents, stop letting your children act like adults, they do not have the emotional and mental maturity to deal with these situations.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:15pmIt’s not very surprising, we’ve all done stupid things without thinking at that age. Of course, most of us on here didn’t have the internet to share our youthful ignorance with the world. At least Youtube videos can be deleted.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 7:31pmHow pathetically sad….. that these young girls think filiming themselves
–as they did–
is just a fun ‘me’ game.
Girls, your little films are really, really shallow, rediculous and potentially dangerous.
Stroking your hair and what not is typical of today’s (unreal) reality show ca ca…to put it mildly.
Play the guitar and sing, read poetry.
>There are some daddys (and mommys) that need to gun their kid’s computers!
Report Post »InfiZell
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 7:16pmUsing YouTube to ask if you are ugly is like chumming in the ocean but not expecting sharks to come. There are so many trolls on YouTube, you may get a few honest answers but the ones that aren’t honest will be brutal. You may as well be the chum in the bucket when they are through with you.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:50pmAm I ugly?
All the ladies behind the make up counters at Dillard’s seem to think so and apparently it will take hundreds of dollars to fix me. Usually I just buy the stuff so I can put the bag over my head. :)
Report Post »homekeeper
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:33pmAm I the only wondering how 11 year old’s have free access to the internet and a youtube channel to post these? Are the parents not even monitoring their internet use? These poor girls are lost inside….searching for something and going to the internet to find will only bring further trouble!
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:55pmParents are now “shamed” by the schools to making sure your kids can get online freely. Kids w/o internet access are said to be “victims” of the ‘digital divide” that seperates the rich from the poor.
Mean while, I grew up in the 80′s with no TV and still managed to graduate college. Public school are strange places these days.
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:17pmThis is twisted, don’t parents teach beauty starts from within anymore? I’ve said it before, we have reached the evolutionary APEX of mankind…it’s all down hill from here.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:13pmIf I were their parent I would tell them what my mother told me when I was very young and said looking at myself in the mirror your ugly she spun me around and said DON‘T EVER say that again GOD made you just the way you are unique and you are insulting your true FATHER and even though she wasn’t a church goer or very religiouse she did believe in GOD and we were taught to respect HIM and his holy name and I never ever said that again till this day because it‘s true and I don’t ever want to insult GODS wonderful creation humans and our beautiful earth.What makes people beautiful or some say ugly is what is in their heart that comes out in their character or personality.
Report Post »RosePurple
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 4:20amBRONCO II
Report Post »Thanks for sharing. When I was younger you could tell which kids were being made fun of at home and or the one‘s being made fun of from peer’s. I just hope more parent‘s step up and take notice of what they’re kid’s are saying about each other and especially themselves!! Oh yeah, Thank You God!
Thevoice
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:55pmReally sad for our youth today…The only industry being sold to them ..“Your looks”..No thanks again to the “New age progressive commie”…Gee remember the day we aspired to be faster, go higher, build faster, dream bigger, do more than anyone else in the world. No these children’s minds are brainwashed today into the …Use less, save the “Globe” ..community crap. All they are feed day and night, is be this no dirty work, electronic tool that doesn’t upset the enviroement….O…And do it looking your best…Really freaken sad. The only good thing is you still have some thanks to good parenting that can see past this crap. There out there..Whether its a kid working at McDonalds or at a grocery store when I see a youth striving today doing a good job. I acknowledge it and give them a simple …Hey good job ….Keep it up..and a thank you…Knowing all to well in this society today most times real “Work” is not the most fashionable trend.
Report Post »KAdams
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:41pmParents… you need to do your job better. You suck! Beauty is subjective and a matter of perception. Being of the mind that physical beauty often harbors cruelty, I’d rather choose someone of good character, than someone who can make other women’s heads turn and who is as deep as the treads on the bald tires of my car.
Report Post »Mommy_of_3
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 12:14pmPlease don’t lump all parents together. My husband & I have worked VERY hard to ensure our daughter doesn‘t feel the need to find her worth in other’s opinions of her. We monitor her internet use, she isn’t allowed access to any social media, her email account is one we both have the password to, she is allowed only age appropriate clothes, no hair coloration, no fake nails & we have repeatedly told while she is outwardly a very pretty young lady, her beauty resonates because of the way she lives her life. She is extremely kind, giving & self-less. She is, along with our other two children, our greatest accomplishments (& she knows this).
Report Post »For her 12th birthday she told me she wanted a “no present, only donation” party. She invited 10 friends and asked them all to bring a check or cash and that money would be donated to the Susan G Komen foundation. She raised $315 for breast cancer research! Her birthday party was a blast and her kindness amazed me because I don’t know many 12 yr old girls who would be willing to do the same. While she does struggle from time to time with the mean-spirited kids at school, we openly talk through those scenarios so she knows their hateful efforts are spoiled because she is stronger than that. My other children are very young but will be raised the same way.
While I agree some parents seem to have lost track of what their goal in child raising should be, there are plenty of us out there who sincerely see our children as preci
dcwike
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:39pmIt’s really very sad to see that our children lack self confidence to the point where they produce videos like this. Or, on the other hand, could it be that our children are so bored and “confined” that this is an act of reaching out in a miss-guided way?
WHERE is the mom for children to ask that question? Or the dad, grandparents?
I was considered “ugly” by my peers at the age of 11 – and, even now, by “physical” standards – big nose, unclear skin, and a (blind) left eye that reeks in my photos. But, INSIDE, in my heart I am a GOOD person and THAT’S what people LOVE about me.
LOVE is not gained by appearances or what you can and can’t do, physically. LOVE is a gift of the heart that can only be appreciated when it’s GIVEN to others.
Report Post »LOJ
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:35pmI don’t think any of them are ugly. Where is their self esteem…We need to guide our teens out of the material..worldly…and cruel world they are living in and get back to Godly principles that make us happy!
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:21pmJust asked my daughter whether she thought that she was pretty or not (I was 99% sure about what she would say). She said yes. she thought that she was pretty.
On the other hand, if YouTube had been around back then, I might have posted a video like that. Back in the days, I didn’t have confidence in anything except for my mind and my dancing ability.
I went to public school. I remember riding the bus as a kid and having people say that I was retarded because of my overbite. My daughter is homeschooled. She spends most of her time with her family, church, homeschool friends, gymnastics buddies, and Kid’s Club friends at 24 Hour Fitness. The environment that you surround yourself with makes a big difference about how you feel about yourself.
Today, I also spend most of my time with supportive people. When I get the occasional negative comments about what I write, I don’t care too much.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:38pmit’s called fishing for compliments.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:59pmI hear you, Darling. I was just getting over my speech impediment when they stuck a retainer on me.
Yep, middle school was hell.
(but I think your picture is lovely and I’m sure your child is too)
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:19pmYou think that they think they are ugly even now, just wait to see how ugly they think themselves are when they figure out their souls are ugly too.
Report Post »pizzacorner
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:13pmWow, there is also 9 million girls that dance around in their underwear on youtube.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 7:44pmReally? I dance around in my underwear when I‘m getting dressed in the mornings but I’m pretty sure I’d drop dead on the spot from embarrassment if anyone other than my four year old caught me.
YouTube? oh heck no!
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:03pmSpeaking as someone who IS ugly… all I can say, is if you have to question it, go and look in the mirror, and you will find your answer…
Whats so bad about being ugly anyway (since I am a guy I guess I don’t really understand…) but who really cares. Most people have odd taste in their relationship partners.. As an ugly person, I have been quite amazed at some of the finer beauties that have dated me. Every one of them was “too good looking” for the likes of me, but when I asked them, their response, was that they didn’t see me as ugly, and they also like me for my personality as well (go figure)….
So who cares what yourself or random strangers think of your appearance, unless you trying to be WITH them, then their opinion on the matter is about as useful as Obama’s Budgets…
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 7:48pmNone of the men I’ve ever loved were “classically handsome”. The really gorgeous one were usually painfully stupid and I could wait to find some shallow girlfriend friend to pawn them off on.
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:00pmTerms like “beauty” “pretty” and “ugly” are comparative words. Much like the term “special” is.
We all can’t be beautiful, or ugly, just like we can’t all be special. If everyone is special, then no one is special.
If you are beautiful, fine. You will likely be given things you don’t deserve and may not be taken as seriously as other people. Learn to live with it.
If you are ugly, fine. You will likely not be given chances that you deserve purely because of your looks, but when you succeed you know it’s purely based on merit and not anything such as looks.
Accept what you are
Report Post »Accept who you are
Live your life to the best of your ability
Itsjusttim
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:01pmWell what do expect parents? You have let your children’s schools brain-wash them into thinking they have no meaning on the planet, you have simultaneously spoiled them, and over several generations have polluted their souls with fulfilling socialism which is neither extreme lows or extreme highs, but dull, and not good. Your children’s spiritual death is on your hands.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:08pmWhat do you expect parents? When you send your children to school and they are pounded day after day about how them just living is detrimental to the earth? What do you expect will happen when you send them to universities that make them watch movies about the plight of some gorilla, and they are force fed garbage about a gorilla which speaks like a man? What do you expect when universities twist critical thinking on it’s head, and jam it into your child’s brain? They will despise their own very existence.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:09pmI might add, your child’s spiritual death is on your hands, guilty.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:22pmMost kids goes through a phase where they are extra self-conscious and worried that they aren’t good-looking enough, or popular enough, etc.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:38pmAnonymous T. Irrelevant
Report Post »Very true, but what happens when the gender police get them?
krenshau
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:00pmThat‘s sad that these people can’t figure out that it doesn’t matter what other people think in regards to their own looks and self worth. They are still developing their body and brain.
Report Post »KAdams
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:26pmNo, there is no such thing as an independent spirit, anymore. These kids walk around and they are all clones of one another. I see it on a regular basis, since I work in a small town store. We have a small town movie theater next door to us that sells tickets for $2.00 each, but all the kids pile into the store before (for snacks) and after (for Monster energy drinks). The focus these days is on collectivism (go figure, with the usurper-in-chief calling for collective salvation) there is no individualism. Kids panic when they are left alone for any period of time, these days. It’s mass separation anxiety.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:00pmLook girls – all of you are very pretty – but the internet is the quickest place to find satan.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 7:51pmso true.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:58pmIt‘s not their face that’s ugly, it’s their souls that are ugly, and so they think their faces are ugly.
Report Post »CleanUpAisle2013
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:10pm@ItsJustTim “It‘s not their face that’s ugly, it’s their souls that are ugly, and so they think their faces are ugly.” Their souls are not ugly. They’re lost or even worse, empty. I cringe to think what will qualify as “society” 100 years from now. Much less 10.
Report Post »followtheexample
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:54amWell “IT”, it took awhile but you finnally got one…
Report Post »texasfarmer
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:55pmGuess they don’t have much to do.
Report Post »silly
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:16pmLike Texas farmer said, I totally agree with that observation. These girls need to be occupied, they have too much time on their hands. The other problem is that laptops, computers, cell phones are utilized in the wrong way. I know that the easiest thing to tink its, where are the parents; but, it is sooo hard to control your children 24/7. I’m pretty sure these are good girls, and naively are doing these videos without thinking about the predators we have in our society.
Report Post »All in all it is a bad idea what they are doing.
GIRTHMAN
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:20pm@TEXASFARMER—This is exactly what I thought. My 3 kids dont have time to wipe their own ass most of the time, after school,chores,soccer,volleyball etc..even they admit I dont have time for anything else. KEEP YOUR KIDS BUSY AND KNOW WHAT THEY DO !
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:55pmThey sure hang out with the wrong people.
Report Post »SureYaDo
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:54pmoh my God, where the heck are these girls fathers?
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:53pmWhat could POSSIBLY go wrong with that?
Report Post »db321
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 5:02pmYour just kids – of course your Clumsy and Dorky. Study hard, work hard, pray hard and spend the rest of your life chasing your dream and never give up. Start a Business and don’t fall into the Government trap of making others take care of you. Do these things and you will be beautiful. Trust Me!
Report Post »randy
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:51pmWhere are their parents?
Report Post »netmail
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:50pmIf you have to ask, the answer is probably yes.
Report Post »