On the iTunes App store is an app that is gaining a lot of buzz (mostly negative) around the web. It is called “Plastic Surgery & Plastic Doctor & Plastic Hospital Office for Barbie Version.” The name in itself is pretty telling of the app that is quite poorly written and sending a very bad message. Possibly the worst part about this app is that it is recommended for ages “9+” making it accessible to very young people. There has been a huge internet backlash in response to this app with outraged consumers demanding that Apple ban it in its entirety from the store.
The actual description of the app reads as follows: “This unfortunate girl has so much extra weight that no diet can help her. In our clinic she can go through a surgery called liposuction that will make her slim and beautiful. We’ll need to make small cuts on problem areas and suck out the extra fat. Will you operate her, doctor?” Wow. We have no words.
Young, influential children should definitely not have access to an app like this, but really neither should anyone. The fact is, there are several plastic surgery apps that are science-based, helpful tools for people who are considering having cosmetic surgery for the right reasons. They do not say things like, “Barbara likes to eat a lot of burgers and chocolates and once she found that she looks ugly. She can’t make it up with situation any additional second. And today plastic surgeon is going to make operation on her body and face in order to return cute Barbara’s look” (yes, the app actually says all that). Not only is it full of horrible grammatical errors but the message is just…bad.
Some reports are saying that between 500,00 to one million people have installed this app and it is extremely scary to think about that. Plastic surgery, while most of the time elective, is still surgery, and it shouldn’t be treated casually or as a quick fix for eating “a lot of burgers and chocolates.” A major problem in today’s world is the unrealistic standard of beauty that has led many people to have plastic surgery (not for the best or healthiest reasons). It is our hope that Apple does phase out this app soon!
