We’ve all done it, or have thought of doing it. That provocative tweet that goes slightly over the edge of what’s acceptable and what’s plain stupid. Twitter is so popular because people use it to share their most inner thoughts. But in light of recent events, do we really want to know them?
When @JustineSacco tweeted this right before she boarded a plane for the Christmas holidays to South Africa, it created a storm on twitter, with the hashtag #hasjustinedlandedyet trending for days. She also lost her job.
Yes it’s thoughtless, tasteless and reeks of feeble attempt of a privileged white female trying to be witty.
But more disturbing was the social media trial the ensued while she was still on the airplane and oblivious to the scrutiny. Her twitter feed quickly filled while she was still in flight. She got some tweets of support, but mainly negative messages, with some downright hateful.
I’ve seen this before. Social media can create a false barrier to those with which we communicate. We think we are protected as we are behind a keyboard, with the Internet shield nicely between us and our targets. I’ve seen people vilified on twitter, with the piling in of supporters. Yah, take that. After all, what does it take to type a 140-character tweet and how much thought goes into it?
Not much. Which is why I think it’s worth pausing just a wee bit more before we tweet that snarky message or before crucify the weak and trial by twitter. #HasJustineLandedYet is a reminder that what we put on the Internet is there to stay. Even though Justine deleted her account after she landed, just type her name into Google and up pops thousands of reminders of that needless and careless tweet.
About Susanna Scott
Susanna Scott founded the BritMums social network in 2008 after a career in marketing. She wanted to create a space for parent bloggers to network, and share ideas and opportunities. She is often quoted as a pioneer in the UK Mum Blogging space, and has been named a top female entrepreneur. She has been featured in The Times, The FT, The Independent, The Guardian, The Sun, Technorati, She, Primo Baby and Red magazine, amongst others. She speaks frequently about blogging, social networking and the BritMums community at industry events. Her blog A Modern Mother ranks in the UK’s top 10 Family Tarvel Blogs. Follow her on @amodernmother.
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Mamacook
Friday 27th of December 2013
I would never write what she did. The problem with Twitter though is there is no deleting, no going back, no "I'm sorry" that takes it away because as soon as it's out there, it's endlessly copied, screen grabs are taken, opinions made and shared. It is much worse than saying it to a friend's face or even your worse enemy.
I hate what she said but I bet she's learned her lesson. Let any one of us who has never done something or said something stupid please stand up? I'm still seated, not sure about you?
For all the people who think everyone should know better; yes, we should but twitter feels cozy sometimes. Every time there is an horrendous case of bullying or breaking the law, we all act surprised because when we use it, we forget. People often use it drunk or half asleep because we have access to it all the time through our phones. It has become the worldwide, uncensored version of the embarrassing text!
It would be interesting to know the clause in her contract which covers what she says on twitter; I suspect she has potential for a wrongful dismissal claim if she wants to pursue it.
sarahhillwheeler
Tuesday 24th of December 2013
Her five seconds of fame, I guess. And that will (in one sense) probably be her defining moment.....careless, crass or out of context, it's scary and awesome ppower of Twitter!
Pinkoddy
Tuesday 24th of December 2013
A similar thing happened with a friend's son. Think he was only 14 at the time too - and it is easy to forget on twitter that he was only a kid. Something was going on about a black footballer missing the match and he got caught up in the racism. It didn't stay on social media at all it went all around the school and the police came and arrested him.
Marianne Whooley
Monday 23rd of December 2013
I hadn't heard about this as I'm not a regular on Twitter but I am surprised after so many incidents people STILL don't think more about what they are writing? Sadly that one slip has cost her her job, possibly some friends and will take long time to go away, a hard lesson to learn and one worth remembering when you see this happen.
Jennifer Howze
Monday 23rd of December 2013
Good points raised, Susanna. While hopefully the vast majority wouldn't tweet something as unthinking and shocking as Justine Sacco did, with social media it can be a "but there for the grace of God". Of course we do control our social media feeds but who hasn't had a moment of regret?
That said, when I read the tweet it was so outrageous it struck me as something a provocative bit from a stand-up comic, lampooning the racism, ignorance, offensiveness, self-absorption and carelessness it demonstrates. Sadly, this doesn't seem to have been the case.