In Ukraine, a minor and adult live stream their drinking, driving and eventual crash on a lampost through Instagram. The 16-year-old Sofia Magerko was found dead in the crash. Meanwhile, her companion, 24-year-old Dasha Medvedeva died on the way to the hospital.
Girl live Streams her death on Instagram Account
Sofia Magerko and her friend Dasha Medvedeva were both intoxicated while speeding on a narrow road. The two had bottles in their hands and showed signs of alcohol disorientation. Their speech slurred and their actions were sluggish as they spoke and looked at the camera.
A few seconds later, the camera goes black, and someone screams. Soon after the black screen has settled, the clash of metal and the lampost are heard. And then the wheels are heard halting.
In the said video, it was reported by MSN that just before their death, the two were happily talking about how much they ‘enjoyed life’ and were laughing all throughout their live stream.
Sofia Magerko happens to be a former pageant winner in her hometown, Izyum.
Livestream vs Mental Health Advocates
Live streaming is a new trend that’s surfaced in the social media world. It can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It allows the freedom to expose oneself or the activity he or she wishes to show. Because of this ‘freedom,’ it opens up endless possibilities of what could be aired and what could be viewed by the viewers.
Because of its complexity and uncontrollable nature, it’s a new challenge that mental health advocates are facing. As this becomes an increasing activity among users, it also raises a great wave of ethical questions that need answering but is too shaky to tackle. What mental health advocates are avoiding here, is the contagion risk. Contagion risk is the effect where an act or behavior of a person may directly influence the behavior of those who have witnessed it– causing them to perform such act as well.