Just when I thought I'd seen it all when it comes to disturbing body image trends on the internet, I'm surprised by a new one. Check out the newly-launched U.K. online game, Miss Bimbo, a "fun fashion game" with a target audience of 9-16 year old girls.
The player must monitor their Bimbo's weight, wardrobe and happiness in order to ascend through the levels. Success is measured through weight loss and breast implants. In order to reach various levels, players are allowed to buy diet pills and give their characters face lifts. There's a cyber surgery option, allowing the player to contemplate which chin they would like to create the perfect version of society's ideal aesthetic. The ideal target weight? "Waif thin" of course.
I am left dumbstruck. Seriously, the head shaking, the awe, the complete and utter despair for the world in general.
The game's creators insist that this is just a tongue-in-cheek version of reality, but let's say an average 9-year-old girl gets this message from the game:
Or this one:Level 7 : After you broke up with your boyfriend you went on an eating binge! Now it's time to diet...Your target weight is less than 132lbs
Level 11: Bigger is better! Have a breast operationIt's like a primer on how to become Lindsay Lohan. It's bad enough that I can't buy my 9-year-old niece a piece of clothing that doesn't insist that she's juicy or makes her look like a little Jon-Benet. I tried registering at the terminally overloaded site, but after four attempts (there's no good way of determining that a user name is already taken, you have to put in your information all over again if you pick another person's name) I just gave up. It's probably for the best, because judging from the press, I think the game will make my head explode. Also, I'm afraid the site's layout may cause spontaneous hives. I'll just stick with my little Sims, thank you very much.
Related Links from Elastic Waist:
