The hashtag #MeAt14 was all over social media this weekend to highlight the idea that children cannot consent to sexual activity.
The social media stir was in response to a Washington Post investigation into the sexual misconduct of U.S. Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, in which it was alleged that he had initiated sexual relationships with multiple underage girls.
A number of celebrities came forward to share their photos and stories in support of the social media campaign.
This is me at 14. I was on the gymnastics team and sang in the choir. I was not dating a 32 year old man. Who were you at 14? Tweet a pic, tell us who you were and pic to the top of your page #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/HPVzMgaD8h
— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) November 12, 2017
I was eating a lot of chocolate chip cookie dough and learning to do the “hustle” and not worrying about a 32 year old man trying to hustle me. #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/xp7UPiiZdq
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) November 12, 2017
#MeAt14 I worshipped my brother. I loved my dog, Pucci. I loved OMD. I had Big hair. I was happy. I was innocent.
Please share your #MeAt14. pic.twitter.com/ccPyVHgcVS
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 12, 2017
Twitter user @catlawson, who sent the first tweet, reinforced her reasoning behind the hashtag by tweeting: “Why I started #MeAt14: Show what a 14-year-old looks like. Affirm they’re not capable of consent. Remind people *kids* deserve protection.”
However, not everyone was welcoming to the campaign.
The #MeAt14 hashtag is gross and misguided. Don’t.
— Kelly Ellis (@justkelly_ok) November 12, 2017
Another user said: “The #meat14 hashtag is the most uncomfortable display of misguided activism I have ever seen on this site.”
Despite some negative backlash, the #MeAt14 hashtag has been used over 60,000 times.
The age of consent in the US ranges, by state, from 16 to 18. As in Alabama, where Moore is still currently in the Senate race, the age of consent in the UK is 16.