Why do we do this?
As I woke up this morning, I rolled over in my bed and turned on the Today Show. It only took a matter of minutes before my blood was pumping, my eyes wide, and mouth was wide open.
The report highlighted a recent trend among tween / teen girls.
11 & 12 year old girls posting videos online asking strangers…
AM I PRETTY / AM I UGLY?
I thought “…a trend!? This can’t be true.”
Not one video…but hundreds of videos…with millions of views. MILLIONS!!!
One girl says “I just want to make a video to see if I’m…like…ugly or not. Because a lot of people call me beautiful and I think I am ugly. Some people say that I am beautiful but I’m like ‘shut up, I’m not beautiful.’ So, just leave a comment below saying whether I am cute or ugly?”
Another girl says “I have a pretty basic question. I just wanna know if I am pretty. I don’t have a boyfriend and boys don’t like me. I just..I just wanna know. You can be honest. I can take it. You can tell me. Leave a comment.”
If you don’t find that disturbing, hopefully, this will rub you the wrong way.
Just a list of average responses:
“ur not hot!”
“u r the ugliest B**** in the world”
“ide do u” —> actually how they spelled it.
“You look like crap!”
“pretty!? Yeah pretty ugly.”
“a** up, face down.”
“do you have a lazy eye?”
“your voice is annoying”
“your forehead is huge!!!! hahaha”
“reply and tell me when your parents leave the house”
WHAT!?!?!?
Let’s be honest…we have all been through a period where we felt a bit…insecure! And, perhaps, we’re still in that period. It’s ok. That’s ok. You’re not alone. It’s just that most people won’t admit it. If you’re feeling alone…
*Quick Truth*
I feel insecure. I feel insecure writing this blog post right now.
1) “I hope no one asks me a question about the Bible. I know a few stories from the Bible but I don’t know the Bible like other people.”
2) “Who am I to be writing/speaking about God? I didn’t go to seminary.”
3) “I need more ‘Godly phrases’ in my vocabulary like “y’all pray my strength” so I seem more ‘Holy.'”
4) “Maybe I should re-word that because I don’t want to make anyone mad.”
5) (looking at the scale & in the mirror) “I went to the gym last night for an hour. How did I gain weight!?”
6) “Am I making a mistake by going on this mission trip? What about my career!?”
It’s ok to feel insecure but find your strength in God!
Imagine what it feels like to be 11 yrs old and have 1000 people on YouTube say you’re “ugly.” Most of us feel insecure and have internalized comments that Johnny/Susie said about our appearance in 7th grade. One person (and/or 5 mean girls) has dictated how we feel about ourselves TODAY. Now, imagine 1000!
We live in a new age where a 30 second video can be a life changing experience.
Why isn’t anyone telling them that they are beautiful children of God and affirming them before they post videos!? You do know what happens when you go looking for affirmation right? You’ll definitely find it but it may not be the kind you were looking for!!!
Tell them they are beautiful! Let those words be their life changing experience!
Other people may overlook us, but God never does.
What do you think? How proactive are you in affirmation? Have you said anything encouraging today? What do you think the world would be like if we spent an hour a day saying only positive things to others?
p.s. oh yeah…just in case any of the girls from YouTube stumbles upon my blog or you yourself haven’t heard it today….let it be known how I feel about you…
