There’s an odd problem with YouTube we all know about. It’s the problem you arrive at after hours of watching cute cat videos. It’s the problem when you’re looking to find a recipe for corn casserole and then somehow you end up watching people eat baby food while blindfolded.
For over ten years, YouTube has created countless communities around the world, making your weird hobbies something more than solo activities. There are channels for gaming, sports, cooking — the list goes on.
In addition to creating communities, YouTube has fostered musicians, authors and activists who have given the site credibility and power. While numerous positive people are trying to create a safe, respectable space, there is bound to be negativity.
That negativity comes from users like Sam Pepper, and most recently, Nicole Arbour.
Sexual assault, fat shaming, sexism and racism have all been brought up in negative videos. Let’s face it: no community is perfect.
Sam Pepper was a major YouTube personality that quickly came down from his popularity after uploading problematic prank videos. In these videos, Pepper would touch women without their permission and sexually harass them on camera.
There was debate as to whether or not these women knew they were being filmed, and if they willingly chose to participate or not. Regardless, Pepper was promoting the harassment of women, making assault a laughing matter instead of a serious one.
Nicole Arbour, on the other hand, is now infamous for her video “Dear Fat People,” posted Thursday, in which she says that overweight individuals are disgusting and a burden on society. She believes they must know how fat they are and that she’s doing them a favor by making this video shaming them.
Much to no one’s surprise, this video was not received well by the general public. Arbour has received major backlash not only from audience viewers, but also from her peers on YouTube.
It’s almost appalling to see Arbour dismiss others’ opinions, when her own opinion is disrespectful and damaging to “fat people.” She truly thinks that her opinion is correct.
The big argument here regarding sexual harassment and body shaming is whether everyone is entitled to have their own opinions, however unpopular they may be.
In the case of Arbour in particular, there is the argument that YouTube (and society in general) has become too politically correct. Arbour has posted responses to her haters, stating that no one wants to say the harsh truth.
So yes, Pepper and Arbour can continue to believe that their actions are right. But they will have to face the consequences of bringing negativity and harm to the YouTube community.
What neither seemed to have realized is the influence and popularity of their videos. Their opinions and actions will and have molded the minds of young viewers.
Pepper tells young males that they may touch women however they want to, and he tells females that it’s not a big deal to be sexually harassed if it’s for entertainment.
Arbour’s video will be watched by thousands of teens struggling to accept their bodies, some of whom may be trying to change their bodies in drastic and unhealthy ways due to the pressures of society. If you really want to support overweight people, why don’t you make a video on health tips instead?
This all seems like a step back for YouTube and its community. But in light of all this controversy, there has been some positivity shining through.
YouTubers such as Laci Green, the VlogBrothers and Meghan Tonjes have been trying to make the website a safer space for those online.
Laci Green stands up against sexual harassment, creating videos to combat and educate viewers on the right way to approach these touchy topics. Recently, she has partnered with MTV to spread her message to a more mainstream audience.
The VlogBrothers, John and Hank Green, who run a multitude of channels and coordinate VidCon (an annual convention for Youtubers and fans), have set up boundaries and rules for what kind of behavior they will accept at their events.
Meghan Tonjes has done wonders to combat fat-shaming, among other issues. Tonjes has started using #bootyrevolution to speak about seeing all bodies in an empowering way, and she posts self-loving booty pictures on social media.
Despite initially disabling her account while other YouTubers try to stop her body positivity messages, Instagram has since reactivated her account and she’s been going strong.
We need more people like Tonjes to shut down and call out the problems (and people) in online communities who are out to do more harm than good. YouTube should not be a place where we bring down women or those who are overweight. Instead, it should be a place where we bring people up and have productive conversations instead of demeaning ones.
