By Matthew Ma
“In today’s age of social media, it is essential to be mindful of the ethical implications of sharing information, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as death announcements. It is considered highly inappropriate and insensitive to share the obituaries of any individual on social media without the consent of the family or authorized personnel. This is not only a matter of personal privacy but also has the potential to cause unnecessary distress and confusion among the wider community.”
In today’s digital age, social media has revolutionized the way in which news and information is shared. With just a few clicks, individuals can reach out to a vast audience, creating awareness and fostering connections. However, an alarming trend has emerged in the form of unverified death announcements on social media. What makes this even more concerning is that these announcements are often filled with inaccuracies or omissions. For instance, in certain Nigerian states, social media users have shared news of traditional rulers’ deaths before their families or the traditional council officially confirmed it, causing confusion, anxiety, and distress for their loved ones. In most cases, these unauthorized announcements have had damaging effects on the reputation and credibility of individuals or organizations falsely accused of spreading such information. It is vital to remember that even if the intention behind sharing such news is good, it can have serious consequences for those affected. It is alarming to see how frequently individuals are announcing someone’s death without any authorization or confirmation via social media. This is a matter of grave concern and can cause a lot of emotional harm to the people involved. Notifying the family members about the sudden death of their loved ones is a highly stressful experience for anyone. Breaking the bad news to the bereaved family needs a particular skill. Unfortunately, there is little guidance on the approach to this compassionate matter. In those days, people depended on their own experience to announce the death of someone rather than any training received in school. Today, a well-trained doctor in this field is in a better position to handle the daunting task of breaking the bad news. Regardless of the diagnosis, death can take place under two circumstances. First, the more common one is the expected death, where the patient’s relatives are aware of the severe nature of the illness, and naturally, death is expected. The second situation would be sudden and unexpected death. In the first instance, the relatives will be mentally prepared for the sad news, and the doctors will find it relatively easy to pronounce such deaths as and when they occur. But, when the death occurs unexpectedly, and suddenly, the relatives find it difficult to cope with the bad news. They can hardly believe the sudden loss of their loved one. In such situations, relatives can be easily influenced and become very emotional. In this situation, any lack of compassion and kindness on the part of the healthcare team may, in fact, trigger a violent grief reaction, and anger may be directed toward the hospital staff.
One thing that is considered highly inappropriate and unethical is to share an unauthorized death announcement of any individual on social media. Not only does it lack sensitivity towards the deceased and their family, but it also has the potential to cause unnecessary distress and confusion among the wider community. In earlier times, the announcement of the passing of a traditional leader was considered a solemn and significant occasion. The task of making this proclamation was usually reserved for the esteemed members of the community’s traditional council, who held exclusive jurisdiction over this matter. This announcement was made with great reverence and formality, and it was a pivotal moment in the community’s traditional institution. The traditional council was highly respected and held in the highest esteem as the ultimate arbiter in matters pertaining to the traditional institution. Their rulings were the last word on any issue, and their decisions were considered definitive and non-negotiable. In short, the traditional council was the final authority on all matters related to the traditional institution, and their choices carried great weight and influence. In the present day, specific social media councils operate with little regard for the traditional institutions and customs that have been passed down through generations. These councils assert their authority by announcing the passing of a ruler as if they have the authority to do so. They often announce the death without fully considering the potential implications of their actions. In some cases, they even go so far as to publish images of the event on social media platforms, which can have far-reaching consequences for the people involved. This trend is concerning because it shows a lack of respect for the cultural and historical values that many communities have cherished for centuries.
In many cultures, there was a strict social norm against announcing someone’s death without the express permission of their family or close friends. In fact, this practice was often considered taboo and could result in serious social consequences, such as ostracism or public shaming. The reason behind this norm was that announcing someone’s death without permission was seen as a violation of their privacy and a breach of trust, as it is ultimately up to the family or close friends to decide how, when, and to whom the news of the death should be communicated. It was seen as a way to ensure that the family was informed and given the chance to share the news in their own way. However, in the age of digital media, it has become a common practice among people to bypass the traditional step of informing family members before sharing any news on social media platforms. Unfortunately, this has led to a situation where the news of a loved one’s passing is often shared online before the family has had a chance to come to grips with the information. This has led to immense emotional distress for the family, as they are left feeling powerless and out of control when it comes to the dissemination of personal news. One of the primary reasons behind this disturbing trend is the lack of established guidelines or repercussions for sharing such news without the family’s permission. This can often lead people to prioritize their own desire for social media attention over the consideration of the family’s grief and emotional well-being. As a result, families are left to deal with the fallout of such a situation, including unwanted attention and exposure, as well as the feeling of being robbed of their right to privacy and dignity in their time of grief. This can be attributed to the fast-paced nature of social media and the desire to be the first one to share the news. It has led to instances where the family of the deceased is caught off guard and left to hear about their loved one’s passing through social media.
People must take a moment to consider the impact of their actions before sharing any news on social media. They should always prioritize the family’s feelings and respect their right to privacy and dignity during their time of grief. In February 2015, a false report began circulating on Twitter that singer Beyonce Knowles had passed away, causing the hashtag #RIPBeyonce to trend. A quick search using Twitter’s Advanced Search function reveals that the rumor was started intentionally by a user named @MattMcGrail, who tweeted, “I’m about to get this trending, #RIPBeyonce.” The hoax quickly spread across the platform, with many users sharing the news via the hashtag, including an account for ‘anonymous high school confessions’ with a large following of 302,000 people, who tweeted an image of the supposed crash site and a fake news account under the handle @CnnNewsFacts: “Breaking news: Beyonce was involved in a horrific car crash! #RIPBeyonce.” While some users immediately recognized the tweet as a hoax and expressed their disapproval, others were unsure about its truthfulness, leading to a variety of responses ranging from grief to skepticism to cultural commentary on the phenomenon of fake death announcements online.
In 2020, Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, said she learned about the death of her husband by seeing “RIP Kobe” notifications on her phone. Basketball star Bryant died with his daughter, 13-year-old Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash. Ms. Bryant is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for negligence and invasion of privacy. She alleges that officers shared graphic photos of the crash scene, including Kobe and Gianna’s bodies. During a deposition, a county attorney asked Ms. Bryant when she first heard the news of the crash. Ms. Bryant said that she was informed by a family assistant that her husband and daughter had been in a helicopter accident but that five people had survived. She thought that they were likely among the survivors. But then messages started popping up on her phone saying RIP Kobe. Vanessa Bryant testified as part of her lawsuit against the sheriff’s department, fire department, and Los Angeles County, alleging that department employees took photos of the helicopter crash site, including pictures of bodies believed to be her husband and daughter. Ms. Bryant said the aftermath of the crash and disclosure of photos has been so traumatizing that she has maintained possession of the clothing that Kobe and Gianna Bryant were wearing at the time of their deaths. We must all work together to create a culture of empathy and sensitivity towards those who are grieving and ensure that social media platforms are used responsibly to promote positive human connections rather than causing harm and distress.
Rev. Ma, S.J, is a Jesuit Catholic priest and PhD candidate in public and social policy at St. Louis University in the state of Missouri, US
