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It’s been almost a decade since the infamous “Reporter Makes Kid Cry” video went viral, but the meme continues to circulate on social media to this day. The video shows a reporter interviewing a young boy about the first day of school, only to ask him a series of tough and unexpected questions that leave the poor kid in tears. But what really happened behind the scenes of this viral moment?

The Origins of the Video

The “Reporter Makes Kid Cry” video was recorded back in 2012 by KOTA-TV, a local news station based in South Dakota. The reporter in question, Courtney Friel, was doing a segment on the first day of school and decided to interview a group of kids waiting for the bus. That’s when she spotted a young boy named Andrew Macias, who was looking particularly nervous and anxious.

In the video, Friel asks Andrew a series of questions that start off innocently enough, but quickly escalate into more challenging territory. She asks him if he’s going to miss his mom, if he knows any songs, and if he’s excited to start school. But then she throws him a curveball by asking, “Are you going to miss your whole family?”

Andrew looks visibly shaken by the question, and Friel continues to press him with more difficult inquiries, such as, “What’s going to be the hardest part about school?” and “Are you going to get a girlfriend?” By the end of the interview, Andrew is in tears and Friel awkwardly tries to comfort him.

The Aftermath

After the video went viral, Friel received a lot of backlash from viewers who felt that she had been too harsh on the young boy. Some accused her of exploiting him for the sake of a sensational news story, while others criticized her for making him cry. Friel defended herself by saying that she had no intention of upsetting Andrew and that she was simply trying to make the segment more interesting.

Meanwhile, Andrew’s family also spoke out about the video, saying that they were surprised and upset by how it had blown up on the internet. They explained that Andrew was a sensitive child who had been dealing with anxiety and separation issues, and that the interview had only made things worse for him.

The Memes and Parodies

Despite the controversy surrounding the “Reporter Makes Kid Cry” video, it quickly became a viral sensation and spawned countless memes and parodies. People created remixes of the video, added funny captions, and even made Halloween costumes based on Andrew’s tear-streaked face.

Some of the most popular memes included captions like “When you just wanted to go on live TV and talk about school but they ask you about your whole family” and “When your mom says she’s making spaghetti for dinner but you see her boiling hot dogs instead.” The memes were shared widely on social media and became a part of internet culture.

The Legacy of the Video

While the “Reporter Makes Kid Cry” video may have been controversial, it also had a lasting impact on the media landscape. It brought attention to the way that reporters sometimes use children for their stories, and sparked a conversation about the ethics of interviewing minors.

It also raised questions about the responsibility of journalists in the age of social media, and whether or not they have a duty to protect their subjects from online harassment and ridicule.

Responses from Viewers and Experts

Over the years, many people have weighed in on the “Reporter Makes Kid Cry” video and its impact. Some have defended Friel, arguing that she was simply doing her job and that the backlash was unwarranted. Others have criticized her for being insensitive and causing unnecessary harm to a young child.

Child psychologists and experts in media ethics have also added their voices to the conversation. Some have pointed out that children are often unable to give informed consent for interviews, and that journalists should be careful about how they approach them. Others have called for better training and guidelines for reporters who work with minors.

Final Thoughts

Despite the controversy surrounding the “Reporter Makes Kid Cry” video, it remains a memorable moment in internet history. While it’s easy to make fun of memes and viral videos, it’s important to remember that there are real people behind them. Hopefully, the conversation sparked by this video will lead to more thoughtful and responsible journalism in the future.