Think twice, tap once
curse of social media
Following todays tragic death of British celebrity Caroline Flack I want to update a piece I wrote elsewhere. In my other piece I talked about celebrity suicides where there was no obvious reason behind it, think Kurt Kobain or Chester Bennington. both massively successful people with millions of fans, a lot of money and a seemingly perfect life. Think more recently of Keith Flint of Prodigy, in the middle of a successful tour and again with millions of fans. In each case there was a reason they took their decision, theories for all but only 3 people know why.
It helps to prove something that many people seem to forget, celebrities are still human. They are just lucky in their chosen field. They rarely have more talent or ability then thousands of others, they just made the most of what they have and their opportunities.
Chester Bennigntons wife posted a video of the family having fun at the dining table just before they died. Playing with the kids, Chester smiling. This seem to confuse people who thought it proved he was happy and made the suicide more unusual. In fact it proved he was a normal person, suffering with depression who had had enough for whatever reason.
Caroline Flacks death to day shows that celebrities are human in another way. She was arrested and charged with assaulting her partner before Christmas. her partner didn't want the charges placed and they wanted to carry on together. She stepped down from the incredibly successful love island tv show while the case carried on.
Meanwhile she endured abuse and vilification from social media cowards and the British gutter press. We are famous in Britain for trying to drag down anyone doing well, at the smallest excuse. The headlines cover pages, if ever found to be wrong the apology is barely an inch buried in the corner of a page. Social media cowards in my experience are never wrong and never apologise. They hide behind a key board and thrive on the hurt and upset they cause.
Why this gives them any satisfaction they alone now. The problem now is there are many more well known people with undiscovered secrets panicking about being found out. They know one of them could be next, equally there are many more praying they don't do anything wrong that can be used. Indeed a British tv star who faced drink driving charges is now receiving abuse as his treatment by tv chiefs is being seen as different to Flacks.
So the morons complaining about Flack killing herself because of her treatment are now giving the same treatment to someone else. Perhaps its because saying something behind a key board is so much easier then saying it to someone's face. Perhaps its because the president of America and prime minister of the uk are seen as such promiscuous , racist idiots that some think it fine to be equally low life.
The bosses of social media groups will say there's to much traffic to police and talk about free speech, good excuses not to lose billions being earned. We the users need to take responsibility, if you wouldn't say it to someone's face then don't type it. After writing something, stop and think how you would feel if it was written about you.
There have been a few people who have posted that if you live trough social media then you should expect good and bad. While there are many making fortunes by posting adverts and making sponsored comments they still don't deserve the hounding.
Perhaps if her arrest and subsequent interview had been kept quiet then much of this wouldn't have happened. Also renumber that this sort of abuse can be directed at anyone, children for example. Remember that being named in connection with something doesn't mean guilt or involvement. After a vicious murder near me about 10 years ago a suspects name was released. His name appeared through out the media and press, his picture on tv and he didn't do it. His life was ruined as a result.
Think twice, post once or sometimes don't post at all.
About the Creator
ASHLEY SMITH
England based carer, live with my wife, her parents and 4 cats. will write for all areas but especially mental health and disability. though as stuff for filthy seems popular will try there . any comments, suggestions or requests considered
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