Public Outrage Against "Miss Bimbo"

Techtree News Staff, Mar 28, 2008 2043 hrs IST

How would you like it if your little girl was hooked on to a game that taught her how to become the hottest, lingerie-clad, pill-popping, pub-hopping, air-head bimbo?

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A Web site (and a game within) that goes by the name "Miss Bimbo" has become the cause of a raging debate in the UK, with parents and healthcare experts expressing anger and anguish over the existence of such a Web site capable of misleading and corrupting young (girls) minds.

"Miss Bimbo" teaches your little girl (anywhere between 9 and 16 years of age) to keep constant tabs on 'weighty issues' including the weight, wardrobe, wealth, and happiness of her virtual character aka bimbo -- so as to create "the coolest, richest, most famous bimbo in the world". In doing so, it's okay to buy breast enlargements, diet pills, etc. etc. for your bimbo as long as you manage to keep her looking waif (painfully) thin. On "Miss Bimbo", your bimbo can go under the surgeon's knife, get a facelift or a boob job or both, pop diet pills, go endless pub-hopping -- wearing the skimpiest lingerie -- and possibly hooking that 'oh-so-eligible' billionaire on the loose -- all for a few "Bimbo Dollars". Meaning while registration on the Web site is free, you're charged a good GBP 1.50 per text message to buy "bimbo dollars" to spend on your bimbo.

No surprise "Miss Bimbo" has spurred public outrage, with healthcare professionals, parents groups, and an organisation that represents people suffering from Aneroxia and Bulimia coming out in severe protest against the Web site for sending out wrong (and dangerous) messages to impressionable young (girls) minds.

A leading newspaper (UK) quoted Dee Dawson, medical director of the Rhodes Farm Clinic that treats young girls suffering from eating disorders, as saying, "This is as lethal as pro-Anorexia Web sites. A lot of children will get caught up with extremely damaging and appalling messages."

Bill Hibberd, spokesperson for Parentkind (a parents group), was quoted saying, "It is one thing if a child recognises the game as silly and stupid. But the danger is that a nine-year-old will fail to appreciate the irony, and see the bimbo as a cool role model. The game then becomes a hazard and a menace."

A concerned parent gave vent to his emotions, "I would not want my daughter playing a game like this. It sends out all the wrong messages about what it takes to get ahead. I would rather my daughter learnt that brains are more important than looks."

Although for the creator of "Miss Bimbo" (originally a French production), French entrepreneur Nicholas Jacquart (23), who later moved to South London and set up Ouza Limited to promote his Web site, it makes no difference at all. He was quoted saying, "The game is structured in such a way that it simply mirrors real life in a tongue-in-cheek way. It is not a bad influence for young children. They learn to take care of their bimbos."

This -- even as the rules section of the Web site offers some rather condescending advice: "feed your bimbo to prevent her dying of starvation". A month into its launch, "Miss Bimbo" has already garnered a 200,000-strong support, claims Jacquart. The Web site enjoyed a 1.2 million support in France, the eccentric entrepreneur claims.

Meanwhile, even as parents, healthcare pros, and the public at large openly voice their criticism against "Miss Bimbo" and its creators for 'being irresponsible' and 'leading young girls astray', here's sampling some of the gems on the Web site: "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"... "Have a nip and tuck operation for a brand new face."... "Bigger is better! Have a breast operation"... "There is a billionaire on vacation... You must catch his eye and his love. Good luck! That sure takes the cake!

USER COMMENTS

if you want to criticize this website.. then criticize all these fashion magazines that are promoting skinny figures! The game is only a little bit of fun. Publisizing it in this way is basically promoting it, i had never heard of this game until it hit the news

by Anonomous, sussex, on Mar 29, 2008 11:35 PM, Report abuse Reply

wat did it say on the news about it

by anna, birmingham, on May 11, 2008 01:26 PM, Report abuse

the website wont work 4 me can i have sum help plz

by anna, birmingham, on May 11, 2008 01:19 PM, Report abuse Reply

I think that kids are smart enough to figure out that this web-site is taking the micky out of bimbos, and so are kind of taught what is wrong in a kind of backward way. i think that if parents spoke to their children about these problems, games, the media and websites such as Miss Bimbo won't do any harm. it might just enhance their learning by scoffing at the stupidity of some people. parents leave the impression, in my opinion, and by making a big deal, i think they're drawing more attention to anorexia and letting the children know that "This is a big deal, go check it out".

by Alaynah, Devonport, on Apr 09, 2008 03:13 PM, Report abuse Reply

you'se are so dumb seriously this website is a joke and use are just making urselfs look like bimbos by "liking" this websiteee GET A LIFE !

by princess =), sydney, on Apr 09, 2008 07:52 AM, Report abuse Reply

im thinking about trying it, it seems pretty harmless also the debate is getting out of hand. if it were that BAD then it would be the dumbest thing ever to make it public. if thats the case then all those people are doing is attracting attention to the game. welll anyways i doubt ill get sucked in.

by annonymes w.e. , Washington, on Apr 01, 2008 06:43 AM, Report abuse Reply

lol, i think this game is fine as long as you don't get suckered in i think there should be an 18 and older verification though

by Karl, Roy, on Mar 31, 2008 02:07 PM, Report abuse Reply

i think it is an ok game maybe some people dont get sucked in like you think we do

by Kelly, Australia, on Mar 30, 2008 04:16 PM, Report abuse Reply

Its Just a website parents are getting rediculously out of control when it comes to certain situations its retard. Porn is everywhere and fashion magazines model anorexic impressions

by ANonomyes, Anonomyes, on Mar 30, 2008 11:02 AM, Report abuse Reply

Why should it matter If parents are so considerate into taking this away they should keep there kids from it besides you cant register anyways the web page is completely messed up and ths brings another reason to computer inc. There's Porn all over the internet and kids are exposed to it everyday you let idols like paris hilton make an impression or michael jackson mabye you should worry more about situations and doing something about it but realise you cant hide your kids from everything in the world

by Jessie, Richmond, on Mar 30, 2008 10:57 AM, Report abuse Reply

To be honest I think that if a young girl is stupid enough to take the 'miss bimbo' webstie seriously they desrve to be there! The majority of the girls/boys who are on that site are doing it for fun and to MAKE FUN of the mindless BIMBOS who are considered to be role models in todays society. Thats what the web site is saying!- Its the people like paris hilton and other mindless BIMBOS we should be pointing the finger at for corrupting todays youth! NOT a web site. Furthermore I do not believe that it influences young girls- there parents should be teaching them morals and ethics- this web site is clearly just a scapegoat for blame! obviouosly if the child is taking this site seriously the parents have issues themselfs and cant see that its there own shallow lifes that influence there children- NOT a simple website. Its actulay very clever and mocks what is wrong with popular culture. One of which is that parents are always shifting blame onto others and never taking responisbility for educating there children about such things.. LEAVE MISS BIMBO ALONE!

by Imogen, Melbourne, on Mar 30, 2008 09:40 AM, Report abuse Reply

I reckon its cool!

by Cyree, Atherton(town), on Mar 30, 2008 06:10 AM, Report abuse Reply

oh jesus come on! It's a freaking game GET OVER IT! then don't let your kids get on there. And if you really let a game effect your life you're f'in pathetic. IT'S A GAME!

by Rachel, Memphis, on Mar 30, 2008 05:32 AM, Report abuse Reply

I amm 12 and I naver went on miss bimbo before i heard about it on the new. However me and some friends went to discover what all the fuss was about. When we went on made an account and i love it and so do all my friends. It is great and there is noting to do with weight issues on there it is just a fun game wheree you have to earn money get a boyfriend and treat yourself to new haircuts and beaty products and compleat the tasks and try to become popular.

by Anonmous, Winsor, on Mar 29, 2008 08:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

I'm 11 and I went on it too. It didn't give me the wrong message, I'm cleverer enough to not do these things in real life! It's just a silly game and I think it's actually quite fun! As long as you have a happy and healthy life style, that's the main thing.

by Anonymous, Aberdeen, on Mar 30, 2008 01:56 AM, Report abuse

I think it's absolout stupidity that the adults and specialists are getting so worked up over a pity little internet virtual fashion game. Our children would look upto this game just as much as they would Paris Hilton in a famous magazine. Baically the exact same wrong information you want for your kids, but no, no one seems to be arguing against those famous magazines. If parents are so concerened, simply block the website for your children. There are some people out there who want to play it.

by Allie, Brisbane, on Mar 29, 2008 02:16 PM, Report abuse Reply

Yeah like me

by Maddie, Winsor, on Mar 29, 2008 08:36 PM, Report abuse