As news spread about the 19 year-old who committed suicide live on the life-casting site, Justin.tv, for manyit’s hard to imagine the horror which took place. While the troubled teen ingested an overdose of pills and slowly met his demise, some of the onlookers to his broadcast were scared, others laughed and egged him on to do it.
Reading the Sunday paper, Biggs’ dad now says everyone, including justin.tv should assume some blame in the incident. Now, I guess we could discuss what’s happening in America that people could watch another take his own life and laugh. Or we could talk about how lonely that person had to be to want to take his life with an audience. But, I’m not a sociologist or psychologist and per the purpose of my blog, I just want to take a look at this incident from a PR standpoint.
First, Justin.tv, and every other life-casting site, is about to be under heavy scrutiny. One for how safe are the networks to detect and eliminate these sorts of activities and two, how responsive should a social network company be to let unhealthy/illegal things take place on their watch. I’m interested to see how this plays out in mainstream press and court of popular opinion. Just as the public was opening up to Facebook and Twitter, now a new side of social media will be introduced to America.
How will those who are not geeks view this ability to watch life as it takes place without restrictions? Will this one incident start the conversation that technology, or social media, has gone to far? To have taken his life on webcam amongst his close friends on an IM buddy list is one thing, but to do it with a wide audience of people viewing is another.
One thing is for certain, no one likes the idea of someone’s son died in “public” and nothing was done to help. It’s sad that he thought taking his life was the best option. It’s disturbing people could watch.
I hope the young justin.tv is ready for the negatitive attention its receiving and prepared to talk about this in a transparent and respectful way.
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