It is amazing how we are quick to forget that a single wrong comment on social media can make one the most hated person in Singapore.
Back in 2012, we had Amy Cheong. Her comments on Facebook about a Malay wedding under her HDB void deck resulted in an online CSI that cost her her job.
Fast forward to 2017 and we have Thomas Chua Poh Heng and whose name will forever live in Internet infamy.
Thomas reposted a video of the funeral of a Traffic Policeman who died while on duty. Thomas then commented that his death was well deserve as Thomas was once given a traffic ticket by the same Traffic Policeman.
Even the Home Minister for Singapore, who is responsible for the Police Force, was offended by Thomas' statement.
The screenshot showed that post was marked global by the Globe image next to the Singapore tag which could hint that this post was meant for all to see. As such, the argument of a "private"post does not hold any weight here.
Just as expected, after this post was screenshot and shared, angry netizen investigated or CSIed, to identify Thomas, his occupation and his employer.
In my opinion, a human life was lost and one shouldn't be gloating on the lost of a life. Furthermore, the traffic offence that Thomas was ticketed for had no relations to this accident. As much as we are told that we should watch our words we speak, we should also watch our words on social media.
The Internet may never forget, but it seems we, humans, are the forgetful ones. Sooner, rather than later, we will have another Amy and Thomas, whose life may turn for the worst for a few comments posted with regrets.
Back in 2012, we had Amy Cheong. Her comments on Facebook about a Malay wedding under her HDB void deck resulted in an online CSI that cost her her job.
Fast forward to 2017 and we have Thomas Chua Poh Heng and whose name will forever live in Internet infamy.
Thomas reposted a video of the funeral of a Traffic Policeman who died while on duty. Thomas then commented that his death was well deserve as Thomas was once given a traffic ticket by the same Traffic Policeman.
Even the Home Minister for Singapore, who is responsible for the Police Force, was offended by Thomas' statement.
The screenshot showed that post was marked global by the Globe image next to the Singapore tag which could hint that this post was meant for all to see. As such, the argument of a "private"post does not hold any weight here.
Just as expected, after this post was screenshot and shared, angry netizen investigated or CSIed, to identify Thomas, his occupation and his employer.
In my opinion, a human life was lost and one shouldn't be gloating on the lost of a life. Furthermore, the traffic offence that Thomas was ticketed for had no relations to this accident. As much as we are told that we should watch our words we speak, we should also watch our words on social media.
The Internet may never forget, but it seems we, humans, are the forgetful ones. Sooner, rather than later, we will have another Amy and Thomas, whose life may turn for the worst for a few comments posted with regrets.
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