I learned today of the tragic and premature death of a wee friend of mine, someone I have known in various capacities throughout her short life. A sign of our social network times, I first learned of this here on facebook. It was a shock. It stopped me in my tracks. It brought a deep sense of sadness. And it disturbed me that the sanctity of privacy and sensitivity that we all expect and try to protect at times of sudden bereavement seems to be too often violated by public notifications at an early stage when many of the next of kin may not even be officially informed. Even the news hungry media manage to handle this generally. As a small, and I think, a close and caring town, can we not agree a code of conduct on social media that gives some space and time to loved ones following a death? For example, refraining from naming or otherwise identifying the person deceased for a reasonable period? Or simply not posting at all until the family and next of kin announce the death? Will we afford ourselves and each other that wee it of dignity and respect? I am NOT having a go at anyone - far from it. I am making this point because my lack of good judgement in similar circumstances caused great pain- albeit well intentioned, I made a grave error that someone else suffered as a result. I know the intentions of all concerned were well meant and sympathetic. I just wish to God I hadnt learnt of it on fb. And I hope to God none of the close family and friends heard the awful news at first hand, and tenderly. There is no" good" time or way to give news like this. But surely fb must be one of the worst.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:55:24 +0000
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