#Don'tJudgeChallenge: More hurtful than helpful?
A social media craze that started with good intentions has backfired, with many saying it’s just insulting.
The #Don'tJudgeChallenge has been trending on Instagram and Facebook with more than 150,000 people using the hashtag.
The challenge was also trending on Twitter under the misspelt version #DontJudgeChallange.
To take part, people film themselves looking ‘unattractive’ then they put their hand to the camera for a few seconds and reveal what they actually look like – or how they want you to see them.
#dontjudgemechallenge , i aint the prettiest but i had to try it 😅 pic.twitter.com/OLFH1buuob
— ❁ (@LanissaMarie_) July 7, 2015
I think I went to far 😂😂😂💀💀 #DontJudgeMeChallenge pic.twitter.com/s8L7YENqRo
— $lim (@scarysightt) July 7, 2015
According to the challenge being unattractive involves wearing glasses, messing up your hair, having a uni-brow, having acne and stained teeth.
Those participating are using the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ to describe the point.
However, the whole thing has been perceived by many as a little self-absorbed.
I would do the #dontjudgemechallenge but I think putting eyeliner as acne would add to what I already have. pic.twitter.com/DgzrgNcFTV
— Kai (@KHanenburg) July 7, 2015
While the Hashtag started out as a means to protest body shaming and called for people to love their imperfections, the participants have been criticized for highlighting physical attributes they found unattractive.
One Twitter user said he was “not a big fan of the #dontjudgechallange”.
“I get it its supposed to be positive, but it also bashes people with pimples/glasses/unibrows etc,” he said.
"The dontjudgechallange [sic] thing is the most stupid thing, it's just attractive people with marker on their face: saying hey I'm attractive,” another user said.
Australian Internet entrepreneur Fortafy, who took part in the challenge with his partner Shana said it was a light hearted way to poke fun and themselves.
Their video was liked more than 15,000 times.
“We decided to do our own version letting people know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
“When we see any of our friends who have big followings post a photo without makeup, the comments are always nasty and negative as opposed to when they have makeup on,” he said.
“It was a light-hearted way to poke a bit of fun at ourselves while hopefully getting that message across”.
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