By Hannah Taylor ’15, LifeStyle Section Editor

“If you could go back in time, what wisdom would you share with your teenage self?” This is what the women of YouTube have been asking themselves for the past week. YouTubers answering the proposed question offer advice to their teenage selves, but in reality, their responses are directed towards female teens from around the world. In hopes of improving their viewers’ self-esteem, the speakers discuss battling various issues such as bullying, body confidence, and embrace individuality.

The viral videos are part of #DearMe, a campaign which was announced last Tuesday in recognition of International Women’s Day (March 8^th). While the holiday officially began in 1910, the “global day” continues to be observed in the 21^st century in order to “celebrat[e] the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future” and draw attention to issues of gender inequality that continue today.

But this isn’t the first feminist movement that has taken to social media to spread awareness; #HeforShe encourages men to become active in the fight for gender equality. Launched last September by Emma Watson, the campaign took Twitter and Instagram by storm only hours after the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador spoke at the UN in New York.

This movement, however, is slightly different in nature. Famous Youtubers who usually produce comical material, such as Grace Hilbig and Hannah Hart, have added their two-cents with their own videos. Known for her hilarious vlog adventures, Hilbig offered the advice “don’t be afraid of being afraid” and “also don’t forget to laugh.” MarinaShutUp, took a more serious tone as she decided to speak out about female relationships and the lack of support and general comradery within the female gender: “don’t hate on other girls too much.” While many other YouTubers (SuperwomanVlogs, Felicia Day, grav3yardgirl,

etc.) have put their own creative spin on the tag, young social media users have created Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr posts dedicated to the movement too. The thematic message: self-love, is prevalent throughout. Feminism is spreading.

Sources and additional information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPdYOl5MnFE

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-advice-would-you-give-your-younger.html

http://www.today.com/style/dearme-campaign-youtube-urges-women-advise-younger-selves-2D80532518

http://news.health.com/2015/03/06/what-5-women-would-tell-their-younger-selves/

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/37844/20150307/youtube-dearme-campaign-reaches-out-to-young-women-for-international-womens-day.htm