Internet "Beauty" Contest Puts Teens at Risk - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Internet "Beauty" Contest Puts Teens at Risk

 Maureen Wurtz

OMAHA (KPTM)- Technology is moving at a dizzying pace and parents can have a hard time keeping up.

"This is unbelievable," said Kathy Daly.

Daly is looking at a web site that markets directly to her 16-year-old daughter.

"I don't think they realize how many people are viewing their photos," said Daly.

The facebook page is called ‘Most Beautiful Teenager.  It has over 20 thousand likes in only three months.

"Look here-it says-look at this. We've go a picture of someone who's actually beautiful," said Amanda Wickert, looking at her computer screen.

Wickert is 17-years old and she is exactly who this web site might appeal too. "They're objectifying their bodies for anyone to look at," said Wickert.

 Underage boys and girls post photos publicly to the web site.  "People are mean, and teenagers are mean," said Wickert.

 "I don't know if kids are kidding or not, but if they're not, you can't really use sarcasm in texts or facebook or anything," said Zach Jetter. Jetter just graduated from high school. "It should be stopped really."

 Hateful comments were easy to find.  Some comments included, "Ugly, Ugly thing," "Could you delete this photo? I think you may have gotten confused with the lost dogs shelter," and "Kill it before it repopulates."

"These people are talking to a computer instead of a person," said Wickert. "You don't know how much it takes to push someone over the edge."

 Brady Kirkpatrick will be a high school senior in the fall. He said he's seen web sites like this before. "But most of the time they degrade you and don't know who you are. It could really hurt your feelings."

The photos, when posted to the Website, are up for grabs by anyone. "And you know, some predator that finds them attractive, they can find out where they live, the know how old they are," said Daly.

 Some comments had people asking to swap pictures or requested an add on facebook. "If you give away your information, anyone can find you," said Kirkpatrick.

 "(It's) The idea that beauty is a standard, when it's really not," said Wickert. "It's who you are, rather than what you look like."

 Daly said she tries to keep up with technology.  "Their face book is just like when they go out on weekends and stuff," said Daly. "You have to know who they're with and what they are doing."

 Experts said parents should monitor their kids facebook's. 

For some tips on how to keep you kid safe, click here.