Over the weekend, 23 year old Whitney Beall was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after she live-broadcasted herself committing the act. During the broadcast, Beall admits she is drunk and is clearly operating a vehicle. Those watching the broadcast either texted her to tell her to stop, because texting while drunk driving is a good alternative, or did the correct thing and called the police. act of self-incrimination is reminiscent of the 5th amendment of the U.S constitution which protects her from doing just so.
Beall's crime, although idiotic, was only made worse by her periscope followers. If there was no one to broadcast to, that would've taken away at least one of the dangers in the situation. Today in our modern age, the presence of social media is often too much to handle and can result in life-changing mistakes. Because of Beall's need to put herself, even her criminal acts online, she put herself and fellow drivers in danger. Would it be worth it to risk your life over a status update that no one actually cares about?
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2015/10/florida_woman_uses_periscope_t.html
The fact that her followers on periscope so mindlessly responded to her update by texting her is disturbing. I agree that social media is a tool that can be used in negative ways, but it is also inherently neutral. I think that if people were better educated about what to do in a situation like this, or were just accustomed to thinking about the effects of their actions, then social media could become a more positive outlet than it is now.
ReplyDeleteMaddie Hanratty (8th)
Carlos Joglar
ReplyDeleteAs a driver, I understand the anxiety one receives when you hear your phone go off and you are unable to check what it is. We have become too electronically centric in this society, and that's the main issue. Also, technology isn't a one way street. If you are aware that someone is driving, it would be in one's best interest to not bother them.
Obviously, driving under the influence is absolutely awful, but to try and text somebody while they are doing it is incredibly stupid. I agree that social media is changing our society in both positive and negative ways, but in this case I wish social media didn't even exist.
ReplyDeleteMore and more people who have committed crimes are being caught through social media. These people broadcast the fact that they robbed a bank or drove while drunk. It should go without saying that not everything should be shared with the public especially when it is illegal. Those viewers who called the police definitely did the right thing.
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