Concerned citizen call for law to regulate social media after murder in Dehradun

MANSI BHAMBRI/Dehradun

Concerned citizens suggested that authorities should implement a law restricting social media activity during instances of serious crimes or murders, which would prevent the posting of content related to such events, as it could have various adverse effects on society. This recommendation arose after numerous videos and posts surfaced on social media concerning the recent murder of a young woman in Paltan Bazaar, one of the city’s busiest markets. In the days following her murder, social media became inundated with videos, photos and other related content about the woman.

 Psychiatrist at Deen Dayal Upadhyay District Hospital, Dr Nisha Singhla, said that there is a significant difference between a normal death and the sudden death of a particular person. All types of death are painful, but a sudden death, particularly involving murder, can lead to a deep sense of unacceptance for the parents or family of the individual. In the recent incident of the young woman’s murder in Paltan Bazaar, the family’s grief is compounded by the suddenness of her death, making it particularly difficult for them to cope.

In such cases, family members often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The influence of social media can exacerbate their trauma, as individuals who repost content about the incident can trigger memories for the family repeatedly, making it hard for them to heal. This phenomenon isn’t limited to this particular incident, as many similar cases can adversely affect the families involved. As a result, families may experience anxiety, stress, and lack of sleep, among other issues.  “To prevent this, we urge individuals posting on social media to be sensitive in such cases, both now and in the future,” Singhla said.

She also emphasised that authorities should create a law that requires a break of social media when a crime or murder occurs, preventing the posting of related videos or content that could affect society, the families involved and others.

Rehabilitation Psychologist, family counsellor in Dehradun, Dr Bharat Kumar said that repetitive posts related to such incidents can lead to re-traumatisation for the loved ones of the victims. He observed that in similar cases, individuals often flood social media with related posts for a few days, seeking attention, which indirectly affects the families connected to the incidents. To address this issue, the only solution is for the government to establish laws regarding social media breaks, along with ensuring counselling services for the victims or their families after such unbearable incidents, he said.