It wasn't so long ago that talking about the ethics of how you use the internet would only get you odd looks and maybe some derisive laughter from people.
Fifteen years ago, the common, naive belief was that there was a clear line between what happens on the internet and what happens "in real life."
As a result, many of us have come to understand that we need to exercise caution before we post information that's not necessarily ours to share online.
Still, one case shows that some work needs to be done to iron out the details of these ethics.
So she tweeted out this photo of him with the caption "MY GOD MY DERMATOLOGIST FINE AS S***!"
Some felt a sudden interest in their skin's health, while others simply confirmed how fine he is and called him "yummy."
Since he didn't seem to notice the camera, they saw reason to believe that the dermatologist wasn't aware that she had taken his photo and intended to spread it online.
In a way, this person's photograph was voyeuristic, and completely inappropriate. Not to mention a total breach of respect for a professional doing their job.
Spreading information that can make someone easier to locate is called "doxing" and users felt it seemed particularly irresponsible to do this because it could make him a target for stalkers.
And again, it was all taking place without his knowledge or consent.
In all likelihood, it was this backlash that led her to delete all the tweets about her dermatologist, as they no longer appear on her page.
His name is Imran Aslam and he told Bored Panda "My first reaction was just pure anxiety. I am a very low key individual so when I first heard that I was trending on Twitter I was kind of freaking out, like 'oh my god what is happening.'"
As he said, "I started to find the whole situation pretty funny. The comments on Twitter were hilarious, people were posting all sort of ridiculous things and the picture just kept getting liked. I think it got over 20,000 likes or something. It was crazy."
He went on to say, "As I reflect more on this sentiment I realize the reason for this is undoubtedly because of my 'male privilege.'"
"I can totally understand how people consider this to be a double standard in light of the #metoo movement. And that if those same comments were made about a woman there would an uproar.”
"I have had the privilege of never being catcalled, and I have had the privilege of never experiencing what it’s like to be followed home by a stranger that was a woman."
“It is because of these liberties that we enjoy as males that I think the sexual harassment discussion may have to be interpreted differently in my situation.”
He seems to be taking the situation well, and we're glad he doesn't feel as exposed or exploited as he could have. He even shared the photo and screen shots of the story to his instagram page!
h/t: Bored Panda
