"One night, a friend of mine went out for dinner with her husband and toddler. The toddler, who sometimes had trouble swallowing, choked on his food - and threw up, repeatedly, in the restaurant. People around them were laughing while my friend and her family were in distress, adding to their embarrassment. But that wasn't the worst part, she told me."
"Social media has long been a game of roulette with fame at one end and public disgrace at the other. But if I am posting under my government name on Bluesky (or Facebook, or X, or Nextdoor, or whatever), at least I know I am rolling the dice on becoming the next unwitting bean dad, Brienne of Snarth, or Justine Sacco."
People now fear being filmed in public because smartphone videos can instantly make ordinary moments globally public and subject individuals to viral shame. Recorded clips can spread quickly after identification, amplifying embarrassment, reputational harm, and emotional distress. Viral content often arises from perceived bad behavior, amplified by online communities that police social norms. Public recording turns bystanders into gatekeepers who both police conduct and generate content for attention. Even private family incidents can prompt anxiety about permanent online exposure. High-profile viral incidents show how small moments can cascade into widespread humiliation and social consequences.
Read at The Verge
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