YouTube Phenomenon Has Girls Asking: Am I pretty?
- Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:20pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(AP) — The young girl shows off her big, comfy koala hat and forms playful hearts with her fingers as she drops the question on YouTube: “Am I pretty or ugly?”
“A lot of people call me ugly, and I think I am ugly. I think I’m ugly, and fat,” she confesses in a tiny voice as she invites the world to decide.
And the world did.
The video, posted Dec. 17, 2010, has more than 4 million views and more than 107,000 anonymous, often hateful responses in a troubling phenomenon that has girls as young as 10 — and some boys — asking the same question on YouTube with similar results.
Some experts in child psychology and online safety wonder whether the videos, with anywhere from 300 to 1,000 posted, represent a new wave of distress rather than simple self-questioning or pleas for affirmation or attention.
How could the creators not anticipate the nasty responses, even the tender tweens uploading videos in violation of YouTube’s 13-and-over age policy? Their directness, playful but steadfast, grips even those accustomed to life’s open Internet channel, where revolutions and executions play out alongside the ramblings of anybody with digital access.
Commenters on YouTube curse and declare the young video creators “attention whores,” ask for sex and to see them naked. They wonder where their parents are and call them “fugly” and worse.
“Y do you live, and kids in africa die?” one responder tells the girl in the koala hat who uses the name Kendal and lists her age as 15 in her YouTube profile, though her demeanor suggests she was far younger at the time.
Another commenter posts: “You need a hug.. around your neck.. with a rope..”
Some offer support and beg Kendal and the other young faces to take down their “Am I Pretty?“ and ”Am I Ugly?” videos and feel good about themselves instead.
Much has been made of cyberbullying and pedophiles who cruise the Internet, and of low self-esteem among pre-adolescents and adolescents, especially girls, as their brains continue to develop.
There have been similar “hot or not” memes in the past, but as more young people live their lives online, they’re clearly more aware of the potential for negative consequences.
“Negative feedback that is personal is rarely easy to hear at any age, but to tweens and teens who value as well as incorporate feedback into their own sense of worth, it can be devastating,” said Elizabeth Dowdell, a nursing professor at Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia. She has researched child Internet safety and risk behavior in adolescents in partnership with the Justice Department.
In another video posted by Kendal, she offers to “do two dares” on camera, inviting her open-channel audience to come up with some as she holds a little white stuffed monkey.
In heavy eye makeup and neon orange nail polish, a girl who calls herself Faye not only asks the pretty/ugly question but tells in other videos of being bullied at school, suffering migraines that have sent her to the hospital and coping with the divorce of her parents.
“My friends tell me that I’m pretty,” she says. “It doesn‘t seem like I’m pretty, though, because, I don’t know, it just doesn’t, because people at school, they’re like, ‘Faye you’re not pretty at all.’”
She narrates a slideshow of still close-ups of herself to make the judging easier (she’s had more than 112,000 views) and joins other girls who have posted videos on another theme, “My Perfect Imperfection,” that have them noting what they hate and love about the way they look.
“I just don’t like my body at all,” says Faye as she pulls up her sweat shirt to bare her midriff.
Faye’s profile lists her age as 13. Tracked down in suburban Denver, her mom, Naomi Gibson, told ABC’s “Good Morning America” she knew nothing of the video until reporters started to call. “I was floored,” she said.
Faye told ABC she has been called names and gossiped about behind her back.
“Deep down inside, all girls know that other people‘s opinions don’t matter,” she said. “But we still go to other people for help because we don’t believe what people say.”
A third girl who uploaded one of the pretty/ugly videos in September attempts a few model poses in childlike pedal pushers and a long, multicolored T-shirt after posing the question. She takes down her ponytail and brushes her hair as she stares into the camera.
“If you guys are wondering, I am 11,” she offers. Her video has been viewed more than 6,000 times.
“COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARENTS AND CLEAN YOUR ROOM!!! BUT TAKE THIS TERRIBLE VIDEO DOWN YOU ARE A CHILD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF ACCESS TO THE INTERNET,” one commenter screams.
None of the three girls responded to private messages on YouTube seeking comment from The Associated Press. Gibson told ABC she was considering revoking her daughter’s YouTube privileges, but stopped short of demanding that Faye take down the video.
“Hopefully it will open up the eyes of the parents,” Gibson said. “The kids aren‘t letting their parents know what’s wrong, just like Faye didn’t let me know.”
YouTube would not comment directly about the “Am I Pretty?” controversy, but it issued a statement advising parents to visit the site’s safety center for tips on how to protect their kids online.
The site’s posting policy prohibits videos and comments “containing harassment, threats or hate speech” and encourages users to flag such material for review, the statement said.
Emilie Zaslow, a media studies professor at Pace University in New York, said today’s online world for young people is only just beginning to be understood by researchers.
When the Internet is your diary and your audience is global, she said, “The public posting of questions such as ”Am I ugly?” which might previously have been personal makes sense within this shift in culture.”
Add to that the unattainable pressures of the beauty industry, a dose of reality TV, where ordinary people can be famous, and superstars who are discovered via viral video on YouTube, she said.
“These videos could be read as a new form of self-mutilation in line with cutting and eating disorders,” Zaslow said.
That potential is real, added Nadine Kaslow, a family psychologist and professor of behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta.
“There’s this constant messaging about looks and beauty,” she said. “Their world is taking it to a new level. It can be humiliating, there may be a lot of shame, and you start to become public objects instead of being your own person.”
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Comments (74)
Return2Republic
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 10:01pmFirst world/White Girl Problem!
I agree with most of the comments here. Take the attention whores’ computers away. Where are their parents? Obviously not involved. These are videos begging da interwebz to harass them. I am not surprised that they are getting negative responses. Has anyone here heard of 4chan.org?
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 11:08pmThese are the same girls who post private pictures and videos
Report Post »on that site desperate for anyone’s attention accepting the abuse users of that site
give them they have no sense of self worth its truly sa sad commentary
on the state of things
lukerw
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 2:45amThe SANE reach out to verify that what they Think is what others Generally Think; the INSANE just live in their own Thoughts and Opine!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:23am.
Little Girl take one look at the FLOTUS, and then tell me you’re Ugly…….
Reality TV is warping the minds of our youth………
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 10:36amNot only her, but some of the other videos on that Youtube page are the stupidest videos I’ve ever seen. Just watching some of them confirms my belief as to why this country is going to Hell in a hand basket.
Report Post »Cymry
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:27pmGod knew you before you were in the womb. That goes for everyone. God loves all of us and we are not wiser or more loving than Him. If God were still in the schools, then these children would have some sense of this (even if they didn’t get it at home) and wouldn’t be asking these questions or killing each other.
If you kick God out of schools, then who takes His place?
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:44pmGreat message. If only we could convince these young girls to look in the mirror and see how truly beautiful they really are. If they could see what WE see. This bothers me
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:26pmIf this is happening a lot, there are several things involved. One-where are the parents? None of these young girls should have this access. Two, what kind of a country have we become that young girls have no self esteem in spite of all the female libs screaming about it, and schools “teaching” it? I blame a lot on not being taught they are precious daughters of God, with souls of great worth to God, and their families. With the constant bombardment of ads, tv shows, media of all forms and peer pressure, it’s no wonder they are scared they are somehow not worthy unless they are “star” beautifull. Parents-I hope you get back in the game and parent, or you will loose what is most important to you.
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:08pm“Am I pretty?, am I pretty, here!, here!” Barry in from of a mirror….
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:13pmSorry, “front”
Report Post »R.A. Bullseye
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 12:44amAm I pretty? Only in the information age would people go to a computer to ask that question.
Report Post »vicalo
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:48pmTake that childs computer away.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:03pmCorrect.
Report Post »Mrjonesj11
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:48pmThose of you who think this is a non story or the news should be focused on what is going on in Washington are missing the point. The point is these young ladies are the future of our country! These young woman may help save the country and we better start paying attention at what is going on right in front of us our family and stop worrying about the bigger picture which much of it is out of our control. Strong families will be the rebuilding of our nation not the next president.
Report Post »DonaldH
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:03amThe future is right! which is why these self-esteem problems prove to be no accident.. All across America today, in everyPUBLIC school, white children are being told they are not worthy of their own self-worth.. They are told they are either a product of “White-privilege”and undeserving of any of their personal achievments and positive traits because we live in a racist society. The examples are to many to list and it would do little good to prove my points– you already know it or you are in deep denial about it…
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 10:57amDonaldH, I didn’t think of that, but I am sure you are correct and it is part of this mess. It’s like a snake with multiple heads-hard to kill.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:48pmWhat is this, gb catching up on the net nutters, eh?
yep been bad since about pre-net days when it was contained within the federal government. It was rolled out and people simply went nuts over it…literally.
You saw what it did to other countries…the net is not a fun place to play…keyboard cowboys, perverts and the like are free to roam.
And you know for beck to put this up is simply enabling those who are trapped in some sort of addiction related to the net. And beck knows what an enabler is…amazing trip backwards. jimho
Report Post »vicalo
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:47pmTake that childs computer away
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:43pmDo you think I’m pretty? Do you think you are pretty? That is the question I need to ask. If you don’t, you need to step away from computer and smack your parents in the face! Vanity + tech will desrtroy your self esteem! I beg all junebugs, give it time, you will grow your wings in due time!
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:53pmdestroy. opps, poop.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:42pm…
Report Post »Do these girls not get the love and attention they need, at home?
They turn to strangers, for validation.
What sorry shape, the world is in.
noland
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:36pmWher is the love of thier parents? Do they not have the time? Where is the love of thier Grand-Fathers and Grand-Mothers, Aunts Uncles is anybody teaching them how much they Are Loved by thier Creator? Oh no you better not, what good would that do, just tell them that they came from a monkey or thier is no creator and this is what we get folks.
Report Post »Heisenberg
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:27pmWhile this in unfortunate, Glenn has asked great things of us…. Saving the country and thus the direction of the world….. The time spent on this story should of been redistributed elsewhere on other more important story’s. Were not going to get their with crap….
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:33pmAmen to that
Report Post »Heisenberg
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:22pmWhile this is an unfortunate thing this young lady’s are doing, TheBlaze should focus the time spent on this story on more pertinent Stories being as Glenn has asked of us to save our country and the direction of the world. Were sure not getting it done with this garbage.
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 9:09amIt is pertinent because it illustrates just where our society is ‘breaking bad’. I never would have known that kids were up to this kind of behavior without stories such as this. Awareness helps us better protect our children. And these kids, unfortunately, are a reflection of the present and a harbinger of our future.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:15pmI think Cookie Monster might be voting Republican this year.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV50jFbiLPs
noland
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:10pmSad, Sad, soo sad, where is mommy and daddy? Out serving themselfs i suppose!
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:09pmThis is sad….the kids are having a very sad existence everywhere. We the adults don’t know what kind of life they are having, and parents working 12 hours a day don’t have time to spend with their children. No moral values, no self-esteem, bullying, rampant homosexuality, divorces, etc……sad, very sad…and disturbing.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:06pmRon Paul declined to be on with Huckabee tonight. Above it all, is he? I’m really sick of that pip squeak. I can’t wait till this primary crap is over. I’m sick of them all.
Nevertheless, GOP 2012
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:31pmHe has to make up some lost ground after taking a break from the campaign to make Bernanke look like the crook that he is the other day in congress.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:47pmGreat answer, JUST…And I agree with one of the posts on this thread commending you for being a reasonable person among many Paul people, who are not. You deserve that mention. By the way, Romney did the best tonite in that Huckabee forum; and I have been a Santorum guy for sometime.
GOP 2012
Report Post »mountainmover101
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:02pmThis does seem to be an attention seeking gimmick. This is sort of like when a woman asks someone, “does this make me look fat.” They invariably know it DOES indeed make them look as broad as the side of a barn. In my experience, very rarely when answered in the affirmative does said woman change her attire. She was asking the question just to get a rise out of someone. If the respondent answers yes then he, yes, it usually is a he, is a bully and therefore victimizing said woman. If he answers no then he is perceived as *****-whipped, usually meaning said woman feels like she won.
This is the same thing. The child does indeed know they are unattractive by most relevant standards. They are just doing this to get a rise out of someone. If someone were to answer negatively then said child is victimized etc. Remember negative attention is still attention. If someone answers positively then said child gets an ego rush, more than likely the desired outcome.
The comments about the parents…well most parents nowadays are so self involved they care little for the well being of their offspring.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:51pmReba will have to rewrite it: Here‘s your one chance Fancy don’t let be down, just be nice to the sheik Fancy, and they’ll be nice to you.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:58pmDo you want to know what to do? Put your money in your storehouses, and dump your standard of living along with all your idols, or it will come to pass.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:02pmIf they think they are ugly on the outside because their spirit has been wrecked on the inside, then what is going to happen to them inside when even the few superficial fountains that feed their insides are crushed beyond belief?
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:05pmBetter wake up you sleepy people and rise from the dead those of you who are dead, because the Bible is more real than you are, and the Lord is coming.
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:10pmYou are the old ELIASIM…right?
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:49pmFunny, I see the same type comments from Blaze commenters every day.
Why so much hate???
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:43pmAnd they will say “Yes you are very pretty my dear, now you can be part of my harem and I will wine and dine you giving you many riches.” Great job raising your daughters America.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:31pm“I’m so Pretty, Oh so Pretty”——-Barney Frank
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:13pmIf that was your first thought,…oh boy, get help ASAP!!!..:)
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:29pmThese kids are thinking they’re not going to pay the consequences for their actions? Their emotional level will take a battering,and as fragile their psyche are ,lets see how many suicides happen.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:24pmPut on a Ron Paul Revolution and you’re pretty to me!
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:28pmMeh… RP shirt…
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:29pmOMG!! You Paulbots are seriously warped.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:45pmAnd that coming from someone who’s voting for more of the same and hoping for a different result. Pftt! Civilian loyalist trash.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:51pmThere are a bunch of videos on YouTube of Paul supporters in various stages of distress. I particularly like the drunk Paul supporter getting hooked-up by the police for DUI.
But mostly Paul supporters on there telling the world they are pretty smart fellers? Or would that be…. Ron Paul fart smellers. I know it’s one of those…
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:58pmFunny I don’t mind it so much when you call me stupid Time2…. wonder why that is? And here I thought QPWILLIE would have been in boot camp by now. Ready to kill him some muslims.
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:02pm@justangry
Report Post »Part of your mental condition is that you see everybody who isn’t Ron Paul as “more of the same”. It must be strange living in a world where everybody looks the same to you.
TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:07pmJUST. I would never call you stupid.
BUT… spinning Ron Paul’s flatus into the sweet smell of a Texas Rose is another thing altogether…. lol.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 8:41pmQP. I must admit, I think JUST was being funny which I can appreciate. He is probably one of the more, if not the most, reasonable Paul supporters on The Blaze that I’ve come in contact with. I have respect for your opinion on here QP, and enjoy your comments especially about Ron Paul, lol. I also have respect for JUST. And that says a lot when I can give a Paul supporter KUDOS. Plus, based on what I’ve seen him write… he’s a legit Vet. Much more than I can say for some of the posers on here talking up Paul and have never done squat for their country in any respect.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:23amHa! I was joking and thanks, Time2.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:21pmYawn …
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 7:27pmYup.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 9:34pmYep you just yawn. Have a child”
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 10:40pmThat was a question mark. but I ask now do you have children , if not do not speak.
Report Post »