The Conversation (0)
Joanna Taylor
Aug 31, 2020
British YouTuber Kristen Hanby is facing backlash for pouring blue dye into his girlfriend's bath, seemingly without her consent.
Hanby uploaded the prank video to his YouTube channel, as well as to Facebook and TikTok.
i don’t find this funny at all omg https://t.co/Qp53Vv5iih— molls 𐐪𐑂♡☽☆ (@molls 𐐪𐑂♡☽☆) 1598734776
He was slammed for "humiliating" his girlfriend "for social engagement".
@juustmolls I know this is a joke but it still low key abuse, I mean he’s humiliating her for social engagement— R Hayden (@R Hayden) 1598735455
@juustmolls Ph balance is probably gonna be off the charts, yeast infection is on the way, skin is going to be irri… https://t.co/z0jWs9Lyuc— Kailan🔮 (@Kailan🔮) 1598764008
Prank videos are a mainstay of YouTube and other social media channels, but sometimes go too far as creators compete for views.
Pouring potentially harmful chemicals into someone's bath without their knowledge will never be okay.
@juustmolls Again men can only have fun and make jokes by making women the butt of the joke. Men are not funny. Whi… https://t.co/GCdzD2hsn2— Selicia Says... (@Selicia Says...) 1598762706
@_therealScottie @juustmolls He’s not thinking about the effects it’ll have on her at all and that’s the problem.— भद्र Ms. Grace (@भद्र Ms. Grace) 1598747649
Hanby, a 27-year-old from Jersey, has 7 million Instagram followers and an estimated net worth of $1.2m.
He is best known for his prank videos, which have included pushing his sister into a pool and covering her with talcum powder and pretending to break his grandma's TV.
Hanby has also uploaded videos of his family and girlfriend Jasmine Woodward pranking him back.
Some people speculated that Woodward was in on the prank.
Particular details of the video don't quite add up.
@kabjedi @juustmolls My wife also pointed out that she wouldn’t have come to the door wrapped in a carefully placed towel.— Troy Heard (@Troy Heard) 1598806544
But even so, what does the video tell us?
That violating someone's boundaries is a joke?
@penthousejames @juustmolls @Unproblematiic What’s the punchline?— “Thick Ass Danielle”✨ (@“Thick Ass Danielle”✨) 1598760072
The problem with prank videos like Hanby's is that, whether they are staged or not, they help to normalise potentially dangerous behaviour as 'just a prank'.
And upsetting or angering someone by doing this shouldn't just be laughed at.
indy100 has reached out to Hanby for comment.