WHY IT MATTERS
A few seconds of childhood footage can be separated from its original context and spread to millions of people. Viral attention may be impossible to reverse, particularly when the child becomes the subject of a joke they never agreed to participate in.
1. THINK BEFORE POSTING “FUNNY” MOMENTS
The child may eventually experience the joke very differently.
2. DON’T MAKE HUMILIATION THE ENTERTAINMENT
A child’s embarrassment shouldn’t be the reason people share the clip.
3. REMEMBER CONTEXT DISAPPEARS
Viewers of a meme may never see the original explanation.
4. VIRAL SPREAD CAN HAPPEN QUICKLY
Control can disappear within hours.
5. OTHER PEOPLE CAN ADD THEIR OWN CAPTIONS
A new caption can completely change how the child is portrayed.
6. MEMES CAN OUTLIVE THE ORIGINAL ACCOUNT
The copied version may remain online even after deletion.
7. PEERS MAY EVENTUALLY FIND IT
Internet humour can become school bullying.
8. DON’T CHASE VIRALITY WITH CHILDREN
The audience reward belongs to adults while the consequences may belong to the child.
9. RESPOND EARLY TO UNWANTED SPREAD
Reporting and takedown efforts are more useful before proliferation becomes enormous.
10. PROTECT THE CHILD’S DIGNITY
If a clip depends on strangers laughing at the child, reconsider publishing it.
BOTTOM LINE
Going viral can last much longer than the joke, especially for the child who becomes the meme.