Social Media and the Christchurch Video

Christchurch
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Social media deserves blame for
spreading the Christchurch video,
but so do we

Christchurch
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Introduction
The article analyses the case of social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and
other messaging networks in shsowcasing videos incorporating violent contents like that of the
Christchurch attack video. It shows that both the social media platforms and also the users of
such are guilty in downloading, seeing and also sharing of such potentially harmful videos
reflecting violent attacks. The article argues that the generation of captions like dangerous or
traumatic contents tends to excite further attention among the users for seeing and sharing such
violent contents (Bogle, 2019). Users are also accused of employing devices for recording of
video contents that are endeavoured to be banned from sharing by the social networking
platforms based on the use of hashtags. The action of the social media networking platforms in
both hosting and encouraging of viewership of such violent media is taken to contribute in
meeting the agenda of the terrorist outfits. A demographic analysis reflects that unemployed
youths and those involved in racist issues tend to be more encouraged in downloading and
sharing of violent videos (Bogle, 2019).
The paper focuses on analysing the above issue concerning the posting of the Christchurch video
on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube and also discussion carried out along Twitter and
other messaging sites like Reddit based on the application of ethics theories. The paper would
thus also help in understanding the practical applications the theory frameworks associated to
ethics. The carrying out of the analysis would ideally help in evaluating the morality associated
to the social media platforms in circulating violent contents in the form of videos and also text
messages among the target population of viewers and users. In terms of carrying out the
discussion the paper would also focus on including the contents highlighted along the mind map
reflected in the appendix.
Utilitarianism Theory
The theory of utilitarianism is mainly associated with the results of the actions undertaken by
groups or individuals in a social setting. The morality of the actions undertaken is evaluated
based on the level of significance or utility of such motives in rendering social good. The theory
suggests and identifies that the moral action is such that focuses on generating greater good or
enhances the level of happiness while on the other hand reduces the level of pain and suffering

Christchurch
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for a greater section of the society. Herein, utilitarianism is further classified as act based
utilitarianism and rule based utilitarianism. The action based utilitarianism reflects the
undertaking of actions based on the evaluation of probable consequences while rule based
utilitarianism requires the undertaking of rules that focuses on maximizing the level of utility for
one and all (Shaw, 2016).
Based on the utilitarianism theory the hosting of the Christchurch attack video on social media
platforms like Facebook and YouTube and also generation of tweets associated to the event on
Twitter is considered to be immoral in that reflected undue violence. It is noted that Facebook
encouraged its user base around 1.5 million times on an average daily basis that is evaluated to
increase outrage and hate among the communities. Moreover, the applications like autoplay and
also hashtags tend to cause unwillingly to witness or access such violent videos. The social
media platforms also pose threat in that they can be immorally used by terrorists for generating
propaganda about their terrorist attacks like use of Twitter for providing ‘pinned tweets’ so that
the content can directly be accessed by target users (Bogle, 2019).
Deontology Theory
Deontological ethics is understood based on the categorical imperative as put forward by
Immanuel Kant. The theory focuses on evaluating the morality of the actions rather than aiming
to judge the consequences of the different actions. The same requires the people to carry out the
right type of action in that the same seems suitable in terms of the situation or factors that require
the same to be undertaken. Again, the deontology theory also requires the understanding and
identification of erroneous actions and thereby in restraining oneself from the conducting of such
activities. Deontological ethics are considered to be duty-based in nature which does not tend to
evaluate the nature of the consequences based on the actions undertaken for curbing down
immoral activities (Finkelde, 2017).
From the Deontological standpoint, the role of the social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube and likewise need to be evaluated regards to the ceasing of the publication of such
violent posts and videos along its diverse platforms. Facebook’s management is required to look
into the matter of simply banning the hosting and circulation of live videos containing violent
content from its social networking platform. Further, social media firms are required to focus on
moderating the contents of the video and then approving their hosting on their networks. It would