Our Insensitive Youth: Amanda Todd Mocked After Death

“Tough Titty: The Amanda Todd Story” is brought to you by PROZAC, the drug of choice for attention whores” – Claire Myers, Facebook Status.

In recent social media, the story of Amanda Todd has gone viral broadcasting the importance of anti-bullying campaigns and the effects of bullying altogether. As most Facebook users interpret Amanda Todd’s suicide as a tragic event; there is still a small group of people who continue to insult Todd in order to gain acknowledgement or Facebook fame, passing off Todd’s death as a mere joke.

This leaves me thinking: ‘Do I actually live in a society where someone’s misfortunes are seen as opportunities for others to display their humorous characteristics to the world?’ and while dwelling on this question and surfing the internet, I’ve concluded that: ‘yes, I do’.

There seems to be a regular pattern on Facebook where whenever some ‘cause for the greater good’ is posted or gone viral, people must denounce and demoralize it.  It is a cycle that targets all causes and it breaks my heart to see that Todd’s suicide isn’t excluded from its wrath.  Statuses and photo-based memes litter newsfeeds spreading distasteful jokes about her death worldwide and worst of all they are being liked! The fact that people are still making fun of Todd after her death makes it seem as though the bar for moral sensitivity over the internet has lowered by many notches or has just all together disappeared.

But what I believe to be the worst aspect about these Facebook posts is the reason why people do it. For some odd reason being insensitive on the internet is appreciated and those who insult others or stir controversy are praised. People thrive at other’s expenses in order to get likes and comments and are insensitive for others amusement and of course, the quest for self-fame on the internet. It is as though people believe the internet is a safe haven to say these heartless things rather than saying it directly.

It’s sad to say this but I guess I’ll end this article with a small tip regarding safe internet use. If you’re going through a rough time or someone has recently passed away, don’t post it on the internet and if you do… prepare yourself for some backlash. The internet isn't as friendly as you may think.

*Photo's taken from [Controversial Humor] Cell