by Emily Reuben The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. In the wake of the new year, Logan Paul has recently had his YouTube Red series put on hold and was removed from Google’s preferred advertisement program as a result of public backlash over a video that featured an apparent suicide victim in Japan. The video has resulted in a massive online controversy over the past two weeks sparking debate over the ethics of showing a suicide victim on camera. Many YouTube creators have joined in the outrage, taking to social media and making their own videos directed at Logan Paul.
Logan Paul actually recorded a person who committed suicide in his vlog. What kind of fucked up mentality do you need to have to do something like that?! There is absolutely no defending it
— Jacksepticeye (@Jack_Septic_Eye) January 2, 2018
I cannot believe how beyond disrespectful this Logan Paul guy is filming and zooming in on a Japanese man who hung himself. So dehumanizing, utterly disgusted. Who in their right minds thinks this is okay? Using it in the thumbnail? Undefendable.
— Ross O'Donovan (@RubberNinja) January 2, 2018
Who is Logan Paul?
9.4 million followers Business InsiderAokigahara, "The Sea of Trees"
Aokigahara Forest
Washington Post
Quietly think once more about your parents, siblings, or children. Please don’t suffer alone, and first reach out.does
Dear Internet, pic.twitter.com/42OCDBhiWg
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) January 2, 2018
I have a lot of intense feelings about @LoganPaul and how he has disrespected my beloved country. Especially during a sacred time like New Year’s. You’re no longer welcome here, get out of my beautiful motherland.
— Reina Scully (@ReinaScully) January 2, 2018
It’s taken us a long time to respond, but we’ve been listening to everything you’ve been saying. We know that the actions of one creator can affect the entire community, so we’ll have more to share soon on steps we’re taking to ensure a video like this is never circulated again.
— YouTube (@YouTube) January 9, 2018
Japan and suicide
The Japan Times National GeographicAfter a high number of suicides were reported in 2004 (a total of 108), officials stopped publicizing deaths for fear of glorifying the practice. Yamanashi prefecture, where the forest is located, began hiring people in 2009 to patrol the forest and approach anyone who might not look like the average tourist out on a hike.The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services describes suicide contagion
Suicide contagion is the exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one's family, one's peer group, or through media reports of suicide and can result in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors. Direct and indirect exposure to suicidal behavior has been shown to precede an increase in suicidal behavior in persons at risk for suicide, especially in adolescents and young adults.13 Reasons Why
The importance of privacy in Japan
Japan's laws are more rigidWanting to travel to Japan? Logan's made it a lot harder on foreigners
Twitter
Sources: Japan Times Business Insider National Geographic The Washington Post World Health Organization HHS.gov Vine Images: ghanadailies.com , Twitter Aokigahara Forest
