Why teens are getting ugly for the #DontJudgeChallenge

Teens are taking to social media in a controversial new campaign to fight body shaming.

In a series of videos currently being shared on the web, teenagers are using the hashtag #DontJudgeChallenege while photographing themselves looking “ugly,” only to transform into their “beautiful” selves at the end of each clip. The “challenge” is supposed to convince people not to judge others based on their looks.

• tag a friend or two #dontjudgechallenge https://t.co/RUizcuj9Et

— Boris Laursen B|G (@BorisLaursen) July 7, 2015

The videos include the participants adorning themselves with what they consider unattractive features such as moles, acne, thick eyebrows and blacked out teeth. There are entire Twitter feeds dedicated to showcasing the videos.

However, not everyone is sold on the idea that the videos are actually helping to combat body shaming. Many social media users have pointed out that the videos are potentially insulting to people who don’t conform to traditional beauty standards.

“Its a bunch of people who know they are attractive basically putting down people who have acne, unibrows, thick eyebrows, skin problems etc,” wrote one young person on Tumblr. 

The #DontJudgeChallenge is just a bunch of attractive people mocking people who don't fit into society's standard of 'Beauty' Please Stop

— Kai Hayes (@KaiJamesHayes) July 7, 2015

Some social media users have responded by trying to put their own spin on the #DontJudgeChallenge by responding with a #BeautyinAllChallenge meme where users share pictures of their imperfections without make-up.

i got a tummy, dark bodyhair, uneven eyebrows, two ugly birthmarks on my face but thats ok 🙂 #beautyinallchallenge pic.twitter.com/FB9pxft1aG

— nes (@hemnjh) July 7, 2015

I have had acne for years & my chin isnt aligned properly but I love my body bc its all my own #beautyinallchallenge pic.twitter.com/3U46Zs9iDQ

— trinh. (@charlesanderik) July 7, 2015

And of course, some social media users couldn’t resist using the #DontJudgeChallenege to have a little fun.

took a lot of courage to do this #dontjudgechallenge pic.twitter.com/FA13GME8A1

— Dory (@Dory) July 7, 2015