The #DontJudgeChallenge Is Actually Judging

People all over the world are proving to not judge a book by its cover with the hashtag #DontJudgeChallenge.  But is the challenge doing more harm than good?

The #DontJudgeChallenege is the latest trend users are taking to on all forms of social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Vine.  The challenge is simple; users record themselves with drawn on zits, unibrows and other physical attributes that are associated with body shaming then transform and reveal a more beautiful version of themselves without the flaws. 

Intended to be a social media campaign in hopes to end body shaming, many question the message behind the hashtag.  The individuals participating in the challenge are clearly attractive and would rarely be judged on their looks. 

The campaign can be seen as a parody, making of fun of individuals with these features and cruelly mocking their looks.  If the universal description “ugly” consists of acne skin, messy hair and birth marks, that itself is being judgmental.   

These physical features (acne, braces, etc.) are something people, especially teens, cope with every day, and cannot be erased away in .1 seconds like the challenge videos. 

With its goal to empower teens and address the issue of those who are judged based on their appearances, it is instead insulting those with these flaws. 

Narccissism is the last word the #DontJudgeChallenge ever wanted to be linked to, but unfortunately it is. 

While other hashtags can add excellent publicity to messages or movements such as the #IceBucketChallenge and #YesAllWomen, this is not the case.  With good intentions behind it, they have, ironically, been backfired.  Perhaps, another and better web trend will launch soon, reminding us no matter what you look like—everyone is beautiful inside and out.

Written by Chloe Slavin from Rebecca Adele PR & Events