People Speak out About Suicide After YouTuber Logan Paul's Controversial Video
By Mustafa GatollariUpdated Feb. 10 2021, 11:22 a.m. ET
One of the best things about having your own YouTube series is that you're pretty much in 100 percent creative control of what you want to upload.
There are some guidelines, obviously, to prevent explicit or illegal material from getting up on the platform, but for the most part, the only limit is your imagination.
Unfortunately one of the site's most popular stars, Logan Paul, did a poor job of telling his imagination "no" when he visited the suicide forest in Japan and reportedly discovered an actual dead body...and decided to show it in his video.
He's since deleted the controversial video off of his YouTube page after viewers were understandably disturbed by the fact that the young vlogger posted video of the stranger who appeared to have hung himself.
But they were even more perturbed that the internet personality seemingly did so for "views" and immediately called for disciplinary action against Paul, even if they weren't so sure he'd get it.
Paul responded to criticism that he initially uploaded the video for more views, but instead said that he did so in order to start a conversation about suicide and hoped that the shocking nature of the video would help dissuade people from taking an action so drastic such as ending their life.
Dear Internet, pic.twitter.com/42OCDBhiWg
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) January 2, 2018So sorry. pic.twitter.com/JkYXzYsrLX
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) January 2, 2018But it doesn't look like many people are buying it.
This right here is what you'd call a half-ass apology for some of the worst shit i've ever seen on YouTube. Imagine if you got a DUI and your argument was "but I never drink and drive! I drive sober the other 364 days a year" That's essentially what this says. https://t.co/75cwjs0FL6
— JaKe (@InTheWorksMedia) January 2, 2018Some are saying that Paul is making a mockery of mental health awareness.
Dear @LoganPaul,
When my brother found my sister’s body, he screamed with horror & confusion & grief & tried to save her. That body was a person someone loved.
You do not walk into a suicide forest with a camera and claim mental health awareness.
— Anna Akana (@AnnaAkana) January 2, 2018Citizens of Japan and people who've documented the suicide forest as well lambasted what they believe is Paul's attempt to cash in on a sensitive topic.
As somebody who lives in Japan, has Japanese family and has filmed a video in the suicide forest, the amount of disrespect Logan Paul showed in his video is honestly sickening.
No amount of demonetizing or "like if you feel sad" can excuse what he did.
Really disappointing :(
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Paul's video is that he has a huge viewership that consists of young adults.
I cannot believe logan Paul posted that video and filmed someone who committed suicide up close for his audience of children to watch. Fucking disgusting and completely in human 😠 zero respect shown in that video. I literally am so angry
— Daz Black (@daz_black) January 2, 2018Others pointed out that Paul is a grown adult and should've been fully aware of his actions.
You’re 22 there’s no excuse
— Grayson Dolan (@GraysonDolan) January 2, 2018Since the video was shot, edited, cut, and ultimately uploaded online, many believe that it's unlikely that showing the body was an "accident."
People who lost close family and friends to suicide were particularly upset by Paul's decision to upload the video.
i’m truly sickened by this logan paul situation. i lost my brother to suicide... my brother took his own life by hanging himself... how insensitive and sick can you be to film someone in that state 😔
— mommy (@CorinnaKopf) January 2, 2018Online communities are stating that the episode is indicative of a larger problem, however, and that YouTube needs to keep a more watchful eye on some of its stars and ensure that sensitive material should be more carefully censored.
Just remember this. Before all the extended community outrage against Logan Paul’s “we found a dead body” video, there was a seemingly uncontested 550-600,000 likes on it.
His core audience doesn’t give a fuuuuuuck. Unless youtube does something, this doesn’t hurt him.
— Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) January 2, 2018People are demanding that the platform take sterner action against Paul.
All eyes on you, @YouTube. What Logan Paul did was unacceptable and deserves decisive action. There is no place on YouTube for that kind of content.
— Meg Turney (@megturney) January 2, 2018He's lost 3k subs over this.. from 15+million Im betting he cares not what a few butt hurt people think coz its not going to affect his ad sense. @youtube should demonetize his channel for 3 months,.. that might make people think twice in the future. Theyd rather he was trending
— IT Snippets.Co.Uk (@ITSnippetsCoUk) January 2, 2018I vote for a permaban. Google used to demonetize channels for less but I guess it is VIEW$ for them as well..
— Anna(BadWolf) (@anna_keni) January 2, 2018YouTube needs to take some responsibility for leaving it up for so long too though. It’s not all on him for so many seeing this. Who would even want close ups with a human body anyhow, sad, so very sad?
— Clovis T (@clovistblowpop) January 2, 2018In response to the video, people began sharing suicide prevention information for different countries and regions.
I’m so so sorry if you subscribed to Logan Paul as escapism but were left facing that in your sub box today. In the UK you can call 116 123 and in the US it’s 1-800-273-8255 and you can talk to people who are there for you. Also: unsubscribe. 💜 you are loved.
— Zoe London (@zoelondondj) January 2, 2018The U.S. suicide prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Canada, you can find a crisis centre here: https://t.co/VZTSsLuSPv #BellLetsTalk
— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) January 27, 2016And here is Australia: 13 11 14
You are not alone. https://t.co/lk9LWL7vvF
Need to talk? (New Zealand)
Call the
Suicide Crisis Line on
0508 82 88 65,
Lifeline on 0800 543 345 or
Youthline on 0800 376633.
Even though there were tons of people outraged at Paul's decision to shoot, edit, render, and upload a video of what appeared to be a dead body hanging from a tree online, some of his fans said there was "nothing wrong" with what he did.
U did nothing wrong ppl r taking it too far
— Kelsey Sutton (@kh33668) January 2, 2018He had more than a few people defending his actions.
He did blur out the face tho
— Kayla Matthews (@KaylaPowMatt) January 2, 2018Thanks to Logan, the body was found...
— Magnus Heksem (@MagnusHeksem02) January 2, 2018But mostly, people were in disbelief that someone with such a large audience would do something like this.
Many are calling him to be completely banned from the YouTube platform. What do you think? Should YT take a hard stance?
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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