Not sure how I feel about this at all. Some things in life should not be on social media!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (43600)
May 28, 2023 5:04pm CST
Close to where I used to live, there was a bad accident in tiny nearby village. One died, several hurt terribly. Two young boys on a dirt bike failed to stop at a stop sign and were hit by a truck. Passengers in the truck were badly hurt. The boy driving the dirt bike passed away. His young 13-year-old passenger was also injured badly and has been in a city hospital. He was found to be without brain function, so his parents decided to donate his organs and had set that all up for today.
I think that the donation of organs is admirable, if nothing else can be done, at least someone else will possibly survive with a donation. I totally understand that and support it. Today, a friend from there who knows the family well sent me a video from this afternoon--a video of the young boy, in the hospital bed, being disconnected from life support. It went on and on...at several points there were scenes of a lot of people standing around--staring at their phones and making a video. Or texting.
Their phones. PHONES!!
If your loved one were dying, and you were there, is that what you would be doing? Making a video of his or her death?? Even if the brain didn't function, wouldn't you want to be close by, maybe holding their hand one last time? Or just maybe remembering times together? But no...no one did that.
I watched a good portion of it until there was no activity on the screen. No one approached the bed with the exception of the nurse/doctor. I was crying so hard...there had to be at least a dozen adults in that room, and I saw one lady with tears and one man who hung his head and sobbed. That's it. The rest seemed to just...be there.
I didn't realize when she sent it to me that I was going to watch him die.
Am I wrong? Should this be on social media at all? Is this what our world has come to, making/watching videos of dying children?
29 people like this
24 responses
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
I do not personally know if that was the reason for sharing it, but to me, it did seem in poor taste. I would want my last minutes with my loved one to be with only family.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@Treborika
I have seen many inappropriate things posted on social media, but this one was definitely horrid.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (84721)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 May 23
That is the most horrible and personally, I think it is a sinful thing to ever take a video of and to post it on social media should never be allowed, I have to say I am appalled at what this world has come to,
4 people like this
@RasmaSandra (84721)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle dying in my opinion is never a public think and should always be kept private if possible. That is almost like saying hey, look what happened instead of keeping quiet and grieving,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@RasmaSandra
I have always thought a person's last moments, unless of course they die alone or unexpectedly, should be reserved for close family/close friends. But I do know I like my privacy and that of my family.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
I sat here thinking, why am I shocked? Every day something happens or I see something and find myself surprised--and I shouldn't be, I guess. I just think some things are both personal and private.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57525)
• Los Angeles, California
29 May 23
That is a definite NO for me too. Put away those phones, people . . . have some compassion . . . be there FULLY for a loved one in their last moments of life. Why does anyone have to video that . . . one would think that moment should be respectfully private - how could one even think to share this on social media. Is the phone that much more important . . . I mean at that point it's like why are they even bothering to be there!!
2 people like this
@much2say (57525)
• Los Angeles, California
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle Even as a close family member, I just couldn't video it - just can't. I would truly feel it inappropriate to do so or share it. It is a memory I know my soul would live with for the rest of my life, but I would not want to video it to see and revisit/relive the emotions of that moment again. My heart goes out to you about your child . . . right, no way would filming be in mind at all. It is a sad sign of the times that even in final moments of a person's life, some people just cannot let go of their phones.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
The video was made by a close family member. And you hit the nail on the head saying that the last moments should be respectfully private, if at all possible. I've buried a child. No way could I have filmed his final moments for everyone to see. I think that should be private. Oh, and in this day and age, I guess I should say, without phones as well.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@much2say
It's just not right somehow..not respectful and who wants to share those moments? Not me!
We all need to try to train our children and grandchildren, I guess, to PUT THE PHONE DOWN!!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43499)
• United States
29 May 23
I am horrified. What in the world have we become? I know Jesus was with that boy, but he deserved people who loved him to be there at the last. And that should not be on social media!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
Some of his family was there. I just don't understand posting it on facebook and sharing such a private moment, but...yes, I was really appalled over it all.
2 people like this
@sallypup (64195)
• Centralia, Washington
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle I am not in favor of photos of car wreck victims, either. Some moments are sacred and not to be handed out like pieces of bubble gum. There is nothing wrong with you. Trust your gut instinct.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@sallypup
I am glad I am not the only one who thought it extremely inappropriate. Thank you. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
When I first saw it and all the comments, hearts, etc. I thought there was something wrong with ME, because I thought it in extremely poor taste. Like you said--deeply personal, I would not want to share those moments with strangers.
2 people like this
@just4him (318816)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 May 23
@MarieCoyle Yes, he did deserve privacy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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30 May 23
I don't know them personally. They live in a small rural town. It could be that they thought that it was for the locals, but once you slap a video out there on facebook, it's up for grabs and people can use it for their own benefit. He deserved privacy at his end.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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31 May 23
@just4him
And someone who loved him, that he loved as well, being up close and personal when he was disconnected.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38472)
• Philippines
30 May 23
@MarieCoyle It describes the current generation, in which it is so simple and convenient to record an unexpected event. They would mindlessly film the incident even if it were inappropriate to do so.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (97961)
• United States
29 May 23
I feel sick just reading about it, and I wish your friend had informed you what you were about to watch. I hate to say what I would do in that situation without actually being in that situation, but there is no way in the world I would want that on video. It would be etched in my head anyway! And I guess it just sounds sick to me.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (97961)
• United States
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle I think people are going to feel obligated to leave a heart at least because the family actually had the audacity to post the video, and putting it that way probably sounds judgmental. But my word…
All I can think of is that maybe by posting it they want young people to see what happens when you are careless?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@AmbiePam I thought of that as well! I remember that and how shocked I was by it.
Where is sensitivity and privacy and such in all of this? Does everything have to be ruled by phones??
1 person likes this
@marguicha (226352)
• Chile
29 May 23
Al this you tell is a shame and more so since that happens too many times.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (226352)
• Chile
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle There is lately a culture of taking a video of someone that is fallen instead of helping the person.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@marguicha
I can't watch those either, Marga. It makes me too sad. 
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37813)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 May 23
No, it should not be on social media, very tragic.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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30 May 23
It's one of those things that once you see, you cannot UNsee.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (115720)
• Marion, Ohio
29 May 23
I would never allow that. It was just insensitive and rude. I do wonder where the parents were.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (115720)
• Marion, Ohio
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle No way could I allow that
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
It was the parent's video, done with their direction.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
@wolfgirl569
We have both lost children, as have others. I couldn't allow that, either.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
29 May 23
@MarieCoyle Not a good idea for many reasons.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203410)
• Nashville, Tennessee
30 May 23
@MarieCoyle Too much drama for me, and too public for this information.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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30 May 23
@CarolDM
You and I think alike, it's just not a good idea.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56469)
• Philippines
30 May 23
Nobody could prevent socned the users to publish those sensitive news or happenigs.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56469)
• Philippines
31 May 23
@MarieCoyle Well, I think they know what they're doing. And the socmed should censure that kind of post or news.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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31 May 23
@Nakitakona
Facebook is notorious for removing things that do not offend anyone, and ignoring things that do. It’s just how they do things.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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30 May 23
No, people seem to do whatever they want to do, which is not always what everyone thinks they should. All I know is that this is a practice I hope does not catch on.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (163402)
• United States
29 May 23
I agree with you that that and many other things are so out of place.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
I fear for all of us and for our children and grandchildren, growing up and trying to exist in such a poor state of everything, everywhere.
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
I had no idea they would actually do that until it was sent to me by a friend.
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
29 May 23
This heartbreaking account brings to light the distressing reality of our modern world. The focus on capturing moments for social media and the detachment from genuine human connection during such deeply emotional times is disheartening. It is a reminder of the importance of being present for our loved ones, offering comfort, and cherishing the moments we have with them. Instead of seeking validation through likes and shares, we should prioritize genuine compassion and support. Let us strive to create a more compassionate and empathetic society, where our actions and presence reflect our true care for one another.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43600)
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29 May 23
Shout it from the rooftops, please!
It's about cherishing the moments and being there in body and spirit, totally, for a loved one. Not about announcing you are going to film and post the entire thing on facebook.
As much as so many of us want things to be better, I fear it might not happen. The state of the world in general is just not good.
@Treborika (17896)
• Mombasa, Kenya
29 May 23
Unfortunately that's the world we are living now. There is no absolutely no mercy at all. I though that was only happening in my country but thanks for sharing this. I have today known that this I'll is happening all over the world.
1 person likes this
@astutimeliana723 (4690)
• Indonesia
28 May 23
Yes, I am agree with you. That's inappropriate spread on the internet. Just take them to the hospital and tell their family.
1 person likes this
