[Ammi]

'There’s A YouTube trend among teenage girls called “Pretty Or Ugly,” and it’s hugely troubling

Almost half a million girls have uploaded videos onto YouTube, inviting internet trolls to validate their appearances

That’s almost half a million girls between the ages of 9 and 14 posting videos online asking strangers to assess whether they’re pretty or ugly

The weird thing is, the girls uploading these videos aren’t stupid.


They’re part of an internet-savvy generation. They’ve seen the other videos. They know that uploading their own and putting themselves up for scrutiny will invite brutal criticism from internet trolls.

And yet they do it anyway

Louise Orwin, a 26-year-old artist from London, decided to explore this disturbing phenomenon



“For the last couple of years I’ve been looking at how teenage girls use social media,” Orwin said. “That’s how I came across a Tumblr video of a young girl asking strangers how attractive she was. She was so earnest. I found that really interesting; the way she was talking about something so dark but expressing it so innocently.”

It didn’t take long for Orwin to find Reddit threads, Yahoo! Answers boards, and over 40 pages of YouTube videos, dedicated same question.

“I’m an artist and I’m a feminist,” Orwin explained. “I thought: I’ve got to do something.”


So Orwin created three teenage alter egos and uploaded two-minute videos of each of them to YouTube.


All three asked the same question: Am I pretty or ugly?


“They were called Becky, Baby, and Amanda,” Orwin told BuzzFeed. “Becky was your standard rock chick, wearing heavy eye makeup and playing an emo soundtrack in the background. Baby was a Britney Spears wannabe. And Amanda was me, without makeyup, in a wig, wearing glasses.”

In total, the three videos received 4,000 comments. Baby, “the most conventionally good looking of the characters,” received the most the most attention, but it was the internet’s reaction to Becky that shocked Louise. “About a month after I posted it, there was a real spike in interest,” she said'



..the rest of the story/Youtube vids and some of the comments they have attracted...


http://www.buzzfeed.com/tabathalegge...pretty-or-ugly

[lostalex]

I don't understand why it's disturbing.

The truth is most people think they are better looking than they actually are. It's probably a good thing for people to hear the truth about themselves so they can have more realistic expectations.

when ever you see a fat girl in tight clothes, they really think that they look good. self-delusion is very powerful.

most people when they look in the mirror focus on one part of themselves that they like. Most people will say things to themselves like "i have really nice eyes" or "i have really nice breasts" and completely block out the bigger picture. Most unattractive people really don't know that they are unattractive.

You see it all the time, hideous repulsive men walking around like they are god's gift to women, or fat sloppy women marching around in tight clothes like they are models.

people are very delusional about how other people see them.

[Ammi]

..I don't agree that 'most people think they are better looking than they are' though, Alex...I think that no matter what anyone else thinks, people in general will look in the mirror and only see what they see and that has more to do with self-esteem than physical appearances...there are many conventionally 'attractive' people and I guess females in this instance, just because the article is about girls in particular.. who no matter how much they are complimented for their appearance, can think that they're 'ugly' because they have no or very little self confidence and that's how they see themselves..you see it all the time when someone thinks that of themselves and you think ...'huh, but you're gorgeous..'..and that's really sad....

..and I guess someone could see it as people wearing clothes that don't suit their figure as a bad thing but they have the confidence in themselves to do it, so that's a good thing....

[Me. I Am Salman]

Originally Posted by lostalex

I don't understand why it's disturbing.

The truth is most people think they are better looking than they actually are. It's probably a good thing for people to hear the truth about themselves so they can have more realistic expectations.

when ever you see a fat girl in tight clothes, they really think that they look good. self-delusion is very powerful.

most people when they look in the mirror focus on one part of themselves that they like. Most people will say things to themselves like "i have really nice eyes" or "i have really nice breasts" and completely block out the bigger picture. Most unattractive people really don't know that they are unattractive.

You see it all the time, hideous repulsive men walking around like they are god's gift to women, or fat sloppy women marching around in tight clothes like they are models.

people are very delusional about how other people see them.

what is this BS you're on about now. that isn't true at all, most people are far too harsh on themselves. loads of these people who upload videos to youtube aren't ugly at all

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Salman!

what is this BS you're on about now. that isn't true at all, most people are far too harsh on themselves. loads of these people who upload videos to youtube aren't ugly at all

I agree with you Salman although Alex lives in the States so his perception could be different on a cultural basis.

Here in the U.K it's pretty much in our nature to be desolate about ourselves. I can count on one hand the people I have known who actually believe they are better looking than they are but those who Dont are just innumerable. Personally I believe people are very very harsh on their own appearance. I've never been to America so I can't speak for over there.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Salman!

what is this BS you're on about now. that isn't true at all, most people are far too harsh on themselves. loads of these people who upload videos to youtube aren't ugly at all

sorry but i disagree. If they are uploading videos of themselves asking for feedback on how they look it's clearly because they expect to hear good things, they think they look good, and they want compliments. then they get butt hurt when people tell them the truth. They are delusional people that really think people are going to fawn all over them.

If you really thought you were ugly, you wouldn't post a video of your ugly ass self asking for people to tell you how ugly you are. CLEARLY most of these girls expect to be told how pretty they are. They are delusional.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by lostalex

sorry but i disagree. If they are uploading videos of themselves asking for feedback on how they look it's clearly because they expect to hear good things, they think they look good, and they want compliments. then they get butt hurt when people tell them the truth. They are delusional people that really think people are going to fawn all over them.

If you really thought you were ugly, you wouldn't post a video of your ugly ass self asking for people to tell you how ugly you are. CLEARLY most of these girls expect to be told how pretty they are. They are delusional.

..Alex, some of them are 9yr old girls, they don't want people to 'fawn' over them..they have been told by peers that they're pretty or ugly and they're asking others' opinions but those of stranger on the internet, which is rife with trolls...some of those girls and quite a lot, I think..do believe that they're ugly or at least that's what they have been 'told' by friends'peers....

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..Alex, some of them are 9yr old girls, they don't want people to 'fawn' over them..they have been told by peers that they're pretty or ugly and they're asking others' opinions but those of stranger on the internet, which is rife with trolls...some of those girls and quite a lot, I think..do believe that they're ugly or at least that's what they have been 'told' by friends'peers....

And all it takes is one cretin to go "wow Pinocchio what a big nose you have" or "are you trying to contact aliens with those radar dish ears Lolz #fugly" and that can be a girls self esteem dented for most of her life.

At that age reaching adolescence these girls have ego's and a self esteem that is extremely malleable and some muppet who wants to make his life seem worthwhile can ruin that grossly.

[Nedusa]

And people wonder why teenage suicides are on the increase..!!!!

[lostalex]

I think girls should be confident for other reasons, not how good-looking or how ugly they are.

The problem is not girls being ugly, the problem is that girls think that being attractive is the only way to be self-confident. So you see a lot of ugly girls marching around trying to be pretty, but they aren't pretty they are ugly, they need to realize that.

Girls should have self worth even if they are ugly. They should be proud of being smart, or talented, or for the good work they do. Being good looking doesn't make you a good person.

The problem is not with people telling ugly girls that they are ugly, the problem is that girls think that how they look has anything to do with their own worth as a person. You can be a great person without being "sexy". You can be an amazing person even though you are physically unattractive.

But marching around needing a confidence boost from other people, being hypersensitive, needing constant reassurance from other people that you are good looking, that just makes you look like a twat.

Here's a shocking statement, how you look IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

I think girls should be confident for other reasons, not how good-looking or how ugly they are.

The problem is not girls being ugly, the problem is that girls think that being attractive is the only way to be self-confident. So you see a lot of ugly girls marching around trying to be pretty, but they aren't pretty they are ugly, they need to realize that.

Girls should have self worth even if they are ugly. They should be proud of being smart, or talented, or for the good work they do. Being good looking doesn't make you a good person.

The problem is not with people telling ugly girls that they are ugly, the problem is that girls think that how they look has anything to do with their own worth as a person.

Here's a shocking statement, how you look IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

the problem is, image is now more important that anything else.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

the problem is, image is now more important that anything else.

it's only important to assholes, and who cares what assholes think anyway?

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

it's only important to assholes, and who cares what assholes think anyway?

the assholes around the world make so much money from filling peoples heads with its all about image, the people that young girls listen too, are in the asshole's pockets.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by lostalex

I think girls should be confident for other reasons, not how good-looking or how ugly they are.

The problem is not girls being ugly, the problem is that girls think that being attractive is the only way to be self-confident. So you see a lot of ugly girls marching around trying to be pretty, but they aren't pretty they are ugly, they need to realize that.

Girls should have self worth even if they are ugly. They should be proud of being smart, or talented, or for the good work they do. Being good looking doesn't make you a good person.

The problem is not with people telling ugly girls that they are ugly, the problem is that girls think that how they look has anything to do with their own worth as a person. You can be a great person without being "sexy". You can be an amazing person even though you are physically unattractive.

But marching around needing a confidence boost from other people, being hypersensitive, needing constant reassurance from other people that you are good looking, that just makes you look like a twat.

Here's a shocking statement, how you look IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

..yeah, I totally agree that physical appearance isn't what makes an 'attractive' person and beauty is subjective anyway...but isn't that why this is disturbing though, some of these girls are as young as 9yrs old and people are already commenting on their physical appearance in a negative way..and then they're asking total strangers/trolls on the internet to make comment on that....

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..yeah, I totally agree that physical appearance isn't what makes an 'attractive' person and beauty is subjective anyway...but isn't that why this is disturbing though, some of these girls are as young as 9yrs old and people are already commenting on their physical appearance in a negative way..and then they're asking total strangers/trolls on the internet to make comment on that....

I think these girls get it off their parents and are bombarded by the media that its all about the way you look.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..yeah, I totally agree that physical appearance isn't what makes an 'attractive' person and beauty is subjective anyway...but isn't that why this is disturbing though, some of these girls are as young as 9yrs old and people are already commenting on their physical appearance in a negative way..and then they're asking total strangers/trolls on the internet to make comment on that....

well that's why it's important for girls (and boys) to have positive role models in real life. and that's where parents come in. If you let your children be raised by TV and media, then of course they will have issues. kids need positive role models in real life.

If you ignore your kids and the only real influence they have is what they see in our commercial world where everyone is a super model celebrity with airbrushing and special lighting and editing, then of course they will have unrealistic expectations for themselves.
That's a parenting issue though.

If your kid thinks what they see on TV is real, or that they need to live up to that standard, then you have done a crap job as a parent.

I know my parents did a good job because when i was growing up i hated all of that superficial crap. I laughed at the cheerleaders in my high school. I could spot a poseur from a mile away when i was growing up.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

well that's why it's important for girls (and boys) to have positive role models in real life. and that's where parents come in. If you let your children be raised by TV and media, then of course they will have issues. kids need positive role models in real life.

If you ignore your kids and the only real influence they have is what they see in our commercial world where everyone is a super model celebrity with airbrushing and special lighting and editing, then of course they will have unrealistic expectations for themselves.
That's a parenting issue though.

If your kid thinks what they see on TV is real, then you have done a crap job as a parent.

this is a society issue now, it gone past the good parent stage as they them selfes are part of the problem.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

I think these girls get it off their parents and are bombarded by the media that its all about the way you look.

Originally Posted by lostalex

well that's why it's important for girls (and boys) to have positive role models in real life. and that's where parents come in. If you let your children be raised by TV and media, then of course they will have issues. kids need positive role models in real life.

If you ignore your kids and the only real influence they have is what they see in our commercial world where everyone is a super model celebrity with airbrushing and special lighting and editing, then of course they will have unrealistic expectations for themselves.
That's a parenting issue though.

If your kid thinks what they see on TV is real, then you have done a crap job as a parent.

..obviously a parent can play a big part in reassuring/guiding their children and are a huge influence at a young age especially but I don't agree that this is just a 'parenting' thing in that it's these girls' friends/peers who are commenting on their physical looks initially, which has led to this and a parent can step in of course..but in my experience of families at school, they don't always know everything and therefore can't act....I think where a parent's responsibility in the first place is to always from when a child is able to communicate vebally, to constantly encourage communication..but obviously, even then..a lot of young teenage people can go though phases in their lives/hormonal changes in their lives etc, when they become 'closed' to adults in particular....

[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by lostalex

I think girls should be confident for other reasons, not how good-looking or how ugly they are.

The problem is not girls being ugly, the problem is that girls think that being attractive is the only way to be self-confident. So you see a lot of ugly girls marching around trying to be pretty, but they aren't pretty they are ugly, they need to realize that.

Girls should have self worth even if they are ugly. They should be proud of being smart, or talented, or for the good work they do. Being good looking doesn't make you a good person.

The problem is not with people telling ugly girls that they are ugly, the problem is that girls think that how they look has anything to do with their own worth as a person. You can be a great person without being "sexy". You can be an amazing person even though you are physically unattractive.

But marching around needing a confidence boost from other people, being hypersensitive, needing constant reassurance from other people that you are good looking, that just makes you look like a twat.

Here's a shocking statement, how you look IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

Difficult for most 14 year old girls to not worry about how they look. They are bombarded from every corner with advice how to look good how to have perfect skin and hair, how to attain that perfect body etc..

Since they going through puberty sexual attractiveness is probably the highest thing on the agenda for them and all their friends.

Inner confidence and a developed personality will arrive later but at this age unfortunately it's all about the looks. Everything is traded on looks as the prettiest girls do get the first pick on just about everything.

It shouldn't be like this and although to a large part it is human nature, things are not helped by the modern consumerist, voyeuristic society we now live in.

[Kyle]

It's not just about girls anymore, men can be just as pre-occupied with their appearance.

Like I've said on here I suffer from a mental illness called Body Dysmorphic Disorder where I can't even leave the house most of the time because I'm so obsessed over my appearance. This mental illness is split right down the middle between genders.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

It's not just about girls anymore, men can be just as pre-occupied with their appearance.

Like I've said on here I suffer from a mental illness called Body Dysmorphic Disorder where I can't even leave the house most of the time because I'm so obsessed over my appearance. This mental illness is split right down the middle between genders.

yup just the other day there was an article about the rise in manorexia.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

It's not just about girls anymore, men can be just as pre-occupied with their appearance.

Like I've said on here I suffer from a mental illness called Body Dysmorphic Disorder where I can't even leave the house most of the time because I'm so obsessed over my appearance. This mental illness is split right down the middle between genders.

..for sure, this 'trend' is specific to females atm according to the article but I would be surprised if it didn't become male/female very soon, if not already...

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..for sure, this 'trend' is specific to females atm according to the article but I would be surprised if it didn't become male/female very soon, if not already...

This video trend you have selected for debate (good debate btw) doesn't surprise me that it is generally female specific. Men for the most part still tend to suffer appearance concerns in silence due to fear of ridicule or being called weak.

Also worth noting that these girls are making a big mistake doing things like this. The internet is a great hiding place for mean spirited individuals who would quite happily say something to ruin one of these poor young girls life. And you know that they say, it takes 10 compliments to negate an insult.

[lostalex]

i don't think it's the entire internet's job to raise kids. To expect the entire internet to act like parents to these kids, i just think that's unrealistic and absurd.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

i don't think it's the entire internet's job to raise kids. To expect the entire internet to act like parents to these kids, i just think that's unrealistic and absurd.

I never said it was
if you look to the parents to steer their kids in the right direction then this will fail.
we have terms now like yummy mummy and milf, women are spending more on their image and fitness and their kids see this.