Over the past six or so years that I've been active on certain social media sites, I have come across a plethora of entertaining, educational, inspiring, and thought provoking articles, pictures, and videos. I am amazed at how quickly things are circulated reaching the masses. Every day I am inundated with copious amounts of information (maybe truth or maybe completely fiction). If reaching millions was their goal, they succeeded.
There is a trend that has been going for about the past two years now. It's disconcerting and appalling. People are spreading the most inappropriate videos and stories. Just today, people on my feed have posted teenage girls stabbing each other, a dog being beat, a cat being burned, a motorcyclist being dragged behind an SUV, and woman hitting her crying infant.
I don't know about you, but I've had my fill! Why post this shit?! When confronted about their posts, you'll hear some interesting answers. "People need to take care of their children!" "We need to stop animal cruelty!" "People need to be aware and share the road!" "We need to find this woman and make her pay!"
As noble as some excuses are, the truth is these videos have been circulated out of sheer entertainment. Maybe not of that friend or family member who really wants to stop people to pay attention on the road, but someone somewhere posted that video or pic because it entertained them. Grant it, there several types of entertainment or amusement. No matter what, the motive was not to help. We see this in all the new "scare tactic" commercials against texting while driving. We all know it's a terrible and deadly thing to do. Companies and organizations against texting and driving know that people watch graphic and emotion inducing videos so they create tear-jerking, arm rest grabbing commercials. However, they aren't working. People are posting them and passing them along and yes, watching them. But they are not helping.
Unfortunately, society as a whole have become numb to seeing these horrific sights. People are not seeing an issue with re-posting and advertising such things. It's become so normal that people think they are actually doing a good thing. In fact, when you see those videos and re-post them, if there are no names and locations mentioned directly in the video, you are most likely not helping a single person or place or thing. The sad realization is that YOU are exasperating the problem. YOU passing along poison.
Of course, YOU are not that person who is getting kicks out of watching and spreading these videos. So, because you want to help:
Next time you see a video like the ones discussed. I challenge you to ask why the person posted it. Check their motives. If they get angry, you know their motive wasn't as noble as they'd like you to perceive. If they seem genuine, research and show them other methods of helping the situation instead of fueling the fire. And for goodness sake, check yourself before you press "post".
There is a trend that has been going for about the past two years now. It's disconcerting and appalling. People are spreading the most inappropriate videos and stories. Just today, people on my feed have posted teenage girls stabbing each other, a dog being beat, a cat being burned, a motorcyclist being dragged behind an SUV, and woman hitting her crying infant.
I don't know about you, but I've had my fill! Why post this shit?! When confronted about their posts, you'll hear some interesting answers. "People need to take care of their children!" "We need to stop animal cruelty!" "People need to be aware and share the road!" "We need to find this woman and make her pay!"
As noble as some excuses are, the truth is these videos have been circulated out of sheer entertainment. Maybe not of that friend or family member who really wants to stop people to pay attention on the road, but someone somewhere posted that video or pic because it entertained them. Grant it, there several types of entertainment or amusement. No matter what, the motive was not to help. We see this in all the new "scare tactic" commercials against texting while driving. We all know it's a terrible and deadly thing to do. Companies and organizations against texting and driving know that people watch graphic and emotion inducing videos so they create tear-jerking, arm rest grabbing commercials. However, they aren't working. People are posting them and passing them along and yes, watching them. But they are not helping.
Unfortunately, society as a whole have become numb to seeing these horrific sights. People are not seeing an issue with re-posting and advertising such things. It's become so normal that people think they are actually doing a good thing. In fact, when you see those videos and re-post them, if there are no names and locations mentioned directly in the video, you are most likely not helping a single person or place or thing. The sad realization is that YOU are exasperating the problem. YOU passing along poison.
Of course, YOU are not that person who is getting kicks out of watching and spreading these videos. So, because you want to help:
- Instead of posting those videos of kids fighting, volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister or you know, work on raising your own children.
- Don't post horrific animal cruelty videos and pics. Rather, check out this site and find things you can actually do.
- Re-posting those graphic car accidents aren't working, so drive safe yourself (like downloading this app) and having your kids do the same. Or you could even promote motorcycle safety, here are some tips.
- Stop posting videos of children being abused! Do something about it! First off, don't ignore warning flags that you see within your "sphere of influence" (the American Humane Association's site will help). Secondly, there are lots of ways to volunteer and help. Check out the Child Abuse Network to find details.
Next time you see a video like the ones discussed. I challenge you to ask why the person posted it. Check their motives. If they get angry, you know their motive wasn't as noble as they'd like you to perceive. If they seem genuine, research and show them other methods of helping the situation instead of fueling the fire. And for goodness sake, check yourself before you press "post".