The controversial video has been removed, but not before racking up millions of views. If you have children who are fans of online content, you’ve likely heard the names Tyler and Jake often. The siblings are well-known for their wildly popular YouTube channels, where they share daily updates on their adventures with friends. However, Tyler’s most recent upload has sparked significant outrage after he included footage of a deceased individual he discovered.
Over the weekend, Tyler shared a video titled “We discovered a dead body in the Japanese Suicide Forest…” on his channel, which boasts over 15 million subscribers, many of whom are young viewers. The footage displayed an actual body, identified as a man who seemingly took his own life, hanging from a tree. This filming took place in Aokigahara, a forest at the base of Mt. Fuji notorious for its high suicide rates.
As reported by The Verge, in the now-removed video, Tyler stated, “this is the most authentic vlog I’ve ever shared on this channel.” He urged his followers to “buckle up, because you’re never gonna see a video like this again.” He explained that he and his crew had intended to camp in the forest, equipped with binoculars “to spot ghosts” and a football “for fun.” After wandering through the woods, the footage abruptly shifted to the body hanging from a tree. “Bro, did we just find a dead person in the suicide forest?” he exclaimed.
The group was heard joking, “Yo, are you alive, are you messing with us?” as they filmed the scene up close, blurring out the face while still displaying the hands and body. Tyler remarked, “Suicide is not a joke. Depression and mental illnesses are serious matters. We came here to focus on the haunted aspect of the forest. This just became very real.” He claimed the intent behind sharing the video was to raise awareness about suicide.
Their reactions during the filming included moments where Tyler almost laughed, saying, “this was all supposed to be a joke, why did it become so real?” They even captured footage of emergency responders arriving at the scene. “That’s the daily vlog life, folks. I’ve committed to entertaining you every day,” he added.
The video was not monetized, and a message about seeking help for mental health issues played at both the beginning and end of the video. The backlash against Tyler has been swift and severe, with many criticizing YouTube for not taking stronger action against the influencer for posting such insensitive content aimed at a young audience.
Tyler took to Twitter soon after to express regret for his actions, though his tone was somewhat defensive. He emphasized that this was the first major mistake he had made and noted how easily he garners views regardless of the content. He later uploaded a more remorseful apology video to his channel, acknowledging the widespread disapproval of his behavior. “For my fans who support my actions, please don’t. They do not deserve defending,” he stated.
While it’s commendable that he’s acknowledging his wrongdoing, it’s troubling that he ever believed this type of content was appropriate. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please refer to this excellent resource for support: WebMD.
In conclusion, the situation raises significant questions about the responsibilities of influencers, especially when their audience consists largely of impressionable young individuals.