Teen Girls' Latest Craze: The 'Haul' Video

(Newser) – The newest viral craze sweeping YouTube is the “haul video,” which works like this: A young woman goes on a shopping spree, returns home, turns on her webcam and…shows the world her haul. The products are usually fairly democratic, from chain stores... More »

(Newser) – The newest viral craze sweeping YouTube is the “haul video,” which works like this: A young woman goes on a shopping spree, returns home, turns on her webcam and…shows the world her haul. The products are usually fairly democratic, from chain stores like Target and Abercrombie, Marisa Meltzer writes, which could explain the videos’ appeal. “The majority of teenagers can't afford to imitate Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl …”

“But they could be another Blair, aka Juicystar07, buying those rear-diminishing jeans from Forever 21,” Meltzer writes at Slate. “To the average teen, her seal of approval might carry even more weight than Anna Wintour’s.” These young women may be universally bubbly, but they’re not bragging, says Juicystar07. “ It's more like, I'm 16, I work two jobs, and this is what I've saved my money up for, and I'm excited to share it with you guys.” Less »