Show some class, social media users

THE EDITOR: Last week while scrolling through Facebook, I clicked on an uncaptioned video that looked like a house on fire in Trinidad. A few minutes into the video I realised it was a recording of a horrific incident where a family including a child was being burnt alive.

The screams coming from the residence has haunted me ever since.

The person recording the video seemed very calm, comfortable and with no empathy, went on to narrate the scene. That situation reminded me of an article I read about the right of privacy especially to the family of deceased individuals.

Lately, pictures of dead people, victims of crimes and gruesome incidents are being widely shared on social media including WhatsApp and Facebook, with little or no self-regulation. These pictures are usually gruesome and disturbing and most people are often displeased with them strewn all over social media platforms.

With publications of this kind circulating more frequently, the question we must now ask is: are the acts of sharing such images unlawful? In hindsight, publications of certain pictures of victims of crimes, or dead people could cause much stress and emotional strain especially to their loved ones.

Before you publish or share such images or videos on your social media platforms, I urge you to reflect and be guided by these questions I have borrowed from Rotary International’s Four-Way Test on the things we think, say or do.

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Let us become more sensitive to other people's pain and develop empathy towards each other. Please remember, not everything is for social media.

NIGEL SEENATHSINGH

San Fernando