Think Before You Post Online

YouTube was created in February of 2005. Back then, it was the place where people could upload short, little videos of people being silly, or singing, and everything in between. Since it's creation, YouTube has evolved into something much bigger.

We have seen the creation of the "viral" video, which has given us so many weird, amazing, or funny videos. When "Chocolate Rain" was uploaded, it became a sensation for many years. "Leave Britney Alone" by Chris Crocker lead to so many people becoming vloggers.

Watching the "Numa Numa Guy" showed us that as long as you're being yourself, you can make anyone smile. These are titles that we will remember for a very long time.

YouTube has certainly made some drastic changes over the years. We now are seeing a wave of vloggers, gamer channels, beauty trends, and everything in between. You can't mention YouTube without hearing about PewDiePie, Markiplier, The Fine Brothers, etc. These are now household names that everyone is familiar with.

YouTube has become much more than just a "hub" for viral videos. Of course, rules and regulations need to change to fit the times, as we are seeing more than ever. Everyone has to follow the rules: Nothing that involves copyright infringement, nothing extremely graphic, or sexual in nature; the list goes on and on.

For the most part, YouTubers are very compliant with the rules of YouTube. There may be a slip up here or there, but it is usually rectified. This shows that these people are taking responsibility for their actions and are making sure they are being held accountable. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

There are many YouTubers out there who create content that is meant to be very offensive, or are very graphic in nature, just to get the "views." Recently, this has happened on YouTube by a vlogger who is known for his crazy antics and completing challenges online. Sadly, this person took the joke too far.

Logan Paul is one of the biggest YouTube stars out there, gaining more and more subscribers every day. I honestly don't see what's so interesting about him, but to each his own I suppose. A few days ago, he posted a video that shocked not only YouTube viewers, but the entire online community. Logan Paul took a trip to Japan with his "team" I guess you would call them.

While he was there, he decided to make a video of him exploring what many people call the "Suicide Forest." This sinister place is where people, sadly, go to end their lives. Tourists are warned not to go anywhere near that forest, but sometimes people go to look for ghosts and things like that. So, of course, Logan Paul decided to ignore that warning.

As he and his crew were walking through the forest, they came across something that if you or I saw, we would have screamed and called for help. They found someone hanging from a tree that had recently ended their life. Now, any person with common sense and morals would have immediately turned off the camera and left.

If they decided to keep the footage, they would never post that online for the entire world to see. They certainly would show respect to that person by acting mature and not making jokes. Logan Paul did not do any of these things. When he found the body, he filmed the person; even though they attempted to blur the persons face, you could clearly still see it. Not only did he film him, he started laughing and acting foolish with those around him.

When he finally decided to leave the forest, he did the most despicable thing anyone could imagine: he put the footage right on YouTube, with the person in the tree right in the thumbnail. Now, Logan Paul tried to defend his actions in the video by saying that he was trying to bring "awareness" to what suicide and depression can do to people. He made it almost like a public service announcement.

This video has shocked the world. As a YouTube fan, I did indeed watch the clip before it was removed. Words could not even express how disgusted, sad and angry the video made me. Logan Paul did the unthinkable, without hesitation.

YouTube has since removed the video from the website, and he has issued an apology for what he did. Well, he issued two apologies. The first was him defending his actions and how he did not do it for the "views." This did not make his situation any better.

He finally issued a second apology, stating that he was remorseful and ashamed for what he did. Many believed him and forgave him. Myself, as well as many out there, did not believe him at all. Also, the fact that YouTube did not fully condemn the creator and his actions speaks volumes about what kind of company they are.

Suicide and depression are things that affect every single one of us in some way. You may have a relative, a friend, or maybe you, yourself, are going through something like this. I guarantee you that you would not want your experience broadcasted on the internet, especially without your consent.

The unfortunate person who ended his life in Japan couldn't consent to being on camera, for obvious reasons. That, right there, should have stopped Logan Paul from filming. What about this person's family? What of they had no idea what had happened to their child, and had to find out by watching a YouTube video? It would destroy them. I pray that they did not see the video and find out like that.

The main point here is this: think before you post. The internet is not a personal diary or a personal video collection. Everyone can see everything. If you are ever in a situation like Logan Paul, think.

Maybe put down the camera. Maybe rethink what you are doing. Have common sense. Suicide and depression are not something to ever joke about.

Instead of using a dead body to promote "awareness," actually do something. Offer support to those who need, or maybe make a video that is uplifting and brings awareness in a more human way. It is my hope that we never see something like this again in our lifetime, but this the internet, and it's always changing.