The cases of PC Siqueira and Jéssica are different, but they demonstrate that online hatred is a case of public health. And we’ve gotten to a level of barbarity where people celebrate someone dying of depression. “It’s really blood, it’s not mertiolate. Everyone wants to see and comment on the news. A real accident is so exciting. Everyone is satisfied with the success of the disaster.” These old Renato Russo lyrics came to mind in the last days of 2023, when we learned that YouTuber PC Siqueira had committed suicide. The tragedy occurred a week after Jéssica Canedo, 22, who suffered from depression, killed herself after becoming involved in fake news and receiving hate attacks on social media.
In the case of the PC, within minutes of the news of his death, the Internet was flooded with barbarians commenting on the “success of the disaster”. Some of them said: “It’s already late”, “Hell is celebrating”. “Go find Marielle” (I swear I read it).
PC was a controversial and captivating figure. And that he watched his life fall apart after he was accused of pedophilia in 2020. I’m not a judge and I’m not here to say whether he was guilty. But the fact is that the police, after a long investigation, found no evidence linking him to pedophilia in the seized computers and cell phones. Since then, the YouTuber has shown several signs of desperation on social media. Many applauded his death and then celebrated. Sad.
Jessica’s tragedy
Less than a week before the PC died, we had already witnessed, helplessly, one of the worst tragedies in the history of the Brazilian Internet. The young Jéssica Vitória Canedo, 22 years old, who suffered from depression, died after a blatant fake news linking her to comedian Whindersson Nunes (a person she did not know and had never spoken to) was published on profiles of gossip.
After the publication of a false dialogue, attributed to her and the comedian, Jéssica declared on Instagram that she had been the victim of a lie and that she suffered from depression. She begged for the attacks to stop. Her mother, in tears, recounted her daughter’s struggle with depression and implored people to understand and leave her daughter alone. They didn’t.
One of the owners of “Choquei”, a non-professional journalistic profile with thousands of followers on social media and who published the fake news, even made fun of Jéssica’s appeals. “Tell her that the essay on Enem has already passed,” he wrote on Twitter, referring to Jéssica’s “textão” who denies the news and asks for help. Yes, on the Internet everything is often “textão”, “slurry”. And if you complain you still hear: “stop mimimi!”. How to maintain mental health in such an environment?
What did social networks, which make a lot of money from hate (which generates a lot of engagement), do to prevent these tragedies? Nothing. Instead, they continue to profit from people’s suffering. Just like the gossip pages.
The cases of PC Siqueira and Jéssica are different and have their specificities, but they throw in our face what we already know, but pretend not to see: hatred kills. And we’ve reached a level of barbarity where people celebrate someone dying of depression.
The Internet cannot be a no-man’s land
What to do? There is no simple solution, but those responsible must be held accountable. On Friday, Minas Gerais civil police said they were investigating “Choquei” and other gossip pages for “inducing suicide.” It’s a start.
Many argue that social networks need to be regulated and accountable. I also agree. In Germany, in fact, they already exist, as I said here. Around here, that doesn’t solve the entire problem, but at least it brings some order to this no-man’s-land.
At a time when we’re all talking so much about mental health, we should also think about how bad it must be for someone suffering from depression and suicidal ideation to see people celebrating the death of someone who struggled with depression. Should this content be on social media? I do not believe.
As for us netizens, I think it is worth thinking that people’s lives are not a “fanfic” or a “meme”. These are real lives. And the suffering caused by online hate is real. I have been a victim of massive cyber attacks and I know exactly what I’m talking about. Taking care of it is a matter of public health. December 2023 threw all this in our faces. We need a 2024 with less online hate.
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If you face emotional problems and have suicidal thoughts, be sure to seek help. The Center for the Evaluation of Life (CVV) provides emotional and preventive support for suicide. You can call 188 for free or access the website www.cvv.org.br.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
