A YouTuber's Controversial 'Prank'
A YouTuber has sparked widespread condemnation after footage emerged of a 'prank' in which he threatens to kill a couple unless they buy him food. In the video, which the popular vlogger shared on his YouTube channel, he is shown demanding that a pair of bystanders buy him pizza and threatening to 'bash their skulls in' if they refuse to cooperate.
The YouTuber, who claims that his actions are a prank that the couple is 'volunteering' for, spares the couple’s lives only because they - utterly understandably - comply with his demand for food. But YouTubers aren’t the only ones criticized in the controversy. Viewers are also wondering whether YouTube should be taking more responsibility for the content it hosts.
In the video, which was later posted to Reddit as well, the YouTuber can be seen approaching the couple, who appear to be in a park, holding some rocks. He immediately demands that the couple hand over their phones and wallets, or 'I will f***ing kill you.' When the woman protests that she doesn't have any money, the YouTuber demands that they hand over their phones instead, threatening that if they don't, he will 'bash your f***ing heads in' with the rocks.
Their ultimate decision to hand over the pizza they are carrying serves as the deciding factor between the couple and potential harm. 'Good, they get to live,' the YouTuber comments. 'I was super, super serious.' When pressed on what the point of the prank was, he explains, 'Just listen to me. It’s a prank, and I am holding rocks. It’s awesome, right?'
In the comments for the video, YouTuber Trentino Cavalli, who has over one million followers, responds to the criticism, writing, 'Clearly wasn't real, so who cares?! I don’t do pranks that are real, normal people aren’t idiots!' He goes on to add, 'Pretending to kill someone isn’t a prank! Add some humor or something but don’t pretend to kill someone it’s just sick and stupid.'
Beyond the troubling initial content of the video, it is the reaction to the video that is perhaps most disturbing. As many have pointed out on Reddit and YouTube, the YouTuber’s actions are far from a 'joke,' even if he claims that the people in the video are 'volunteering.' The footage has sparked a significant backlash, with many expressing their disapproval and calling for the YouTuber to issue an apology.
Broader Questions Raised
The incident also brings into focus some broader questions. Prank-based platforms, such as Dare or PrankTV, have been criticized in the past for risking the safety of their participants and encouraging potentially abusive relationships. This incident raises questions about the role of platforms involved in regulating and monitoring the content that influencers are sharing.
The YouTuber involved, who uses the moniker Trentino Cavalli, has not yet commented on the backlash. As the video continues to circulate, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact their career and reputation.
