The boundaries are absent from social media sometimes between humor and respect, to transform what a party may prepare for a joke into a kind of electronic bullying, from the point of view of the other party.
Among the most prominent modern tools used in this framework is what is known as the “Memes”, which are modified photos or videos attached to satirical texts.
And the “Memes” appears on the face of laughter and entertainment, but its irresponsible use may affect the privacy of the other, and reduce it, because it depends on modifying the images in a satirical humorous manner, transcending the boundaries of the joke to become a means of defamation or psychological harm.
Specialists warned of the influence of the “Memes” on social relations.
They stated that it may expose its publishers or its creators to legal consequences, pointing out that it might fall into the category of electronic crimes punishable by condemnation, imprisonment and fine, which opens the door to review how to use new technological tools.
The mockery is one of the strong weapons used in bullying, and it aims to destabilize the victim and its humiliation, and may have harmful effects on his mental health.
In detail, it spreads on social media platforms such as “Instagram”, “Twitter” and “Facebook” famous pictures of public figures or clips from films and series, or even scenes taken from daily life, after modifying them and adding a satirical or funny comment, with the aim of provoking laughter or Mockery.
The Memes is made using programs or applications that allow modification of photos and videos, and attach comments with them.
The legal advisor and lawyer, Sarah Al -Baqishi, stated that “the use of images or videos to ridicule others, even if it is with the intention of joking, is considered a prejudice to dignity,” explaining that Article (44) of the Anti -Rumors and Electronic Crime Law stipulates that “everyone who uses a technique Information to amend or process pictures or recordings with the intention of abuse or defamation is punishable by imprisonment and fine.
She added that “the law protects people who are subjected to psychological or literary abuse through these actions,” noting that “the targets are entitled to file criminal cases and demand financial compensation, after a conviction is issued.”
The legal advisor and lawyer, Rashid Al -Hafiti, emphasized that the use of pictures of people, or their spontaneous emotions, in a satirical manner or change their features without knowing them, and publishing them on social media, is a personal abuse, exposing their perpetrators accountable.
He pointed out that «Emirati law is keen to protect the right of individuals to privacy and preserve their dignity, and criminalize practices that cause psychological or literary harm», adding that “if a person is exposed to publishing his image with a satirical amendment or without his consent, he is entitled to take legal action.”
Al -Hafiti affirmed that “dealing with sarcastic clips or images (Mims) requires awareness of its effect on others, as it can turn from a means of entertainment into a tool that may have negative effects on feelings.”
In turn, the legal advisor and lawyer Fatima Al Ali indicated that «the participation of any content, whether it is a video or a reaction, without permission from its owner, may lead to problems, especially in family and professional groups, which causes a deterioration in relations or work environment ».
She added that sarcastic comments can negatively affect the psychological state of the victim, and cause him anxiety, isolation and depression, which affects his psychological health and hurts his feelings.
Al -Ali continued, that the Emirati law criminalizes electronic bullying, and is punished with imprisonment, a fine, or both, according to the Decree of Federal Law No. 34 of 2021.
She added that some actions committed motivated by joking may be considered crimes punishable by law.
The educational advisor, Dr. Badria Al -Dhanhani, stated that amending the image of a person in a comic way, makes him feel the reduction of his own value or is affected by what others see about, which may cause him embarrassment or lack of self Individuals, and lead to continuous psychological distress. ”
She added that although these effects may be temporary at first, the frequent exposure to modified images may deepen their negative effects, which contributes to increasing embarrassment and loss of self -confidence, pointing to the need to take into account the feelings of others and not to underestimate them.
Documentary positions
A funny family moment turned into a controversy among friends at school, after a girl documented her spontaneous father through a video clip, and published it in her account on “Snapchat”.
While the girl was seeing a “innocent joke”, some of her friends took advantage of the video and turned him into a satirical “Memes”, accompanied by many of the offensive comments, which caused her extraction, so she went to her teacher to ask for help and put an end to the torrent of comments.
The student said that “what started as a passing joke, ended up with an unexpected abuse, stressing the importance of awareness of what is shared on the means of communication.”
In another situation that reflects the impact of social media on the lives of her users, a woman was extremely ridiculous, after she documented her electrical vehicle was disrupted through a video that she participated in her family group on WhatsApp to seek help, as the clip leaked to social media platforms, to be widely circulated with A wave of satirical comments. Someone initiated some of his clips, showing him in a ridiculous form, and he did not forget the lamps from the women’s channel, lifting their eligibility to act in such situations. The woman, in turn, affirmed her feeling very remorse for documenting the holidays in the video, explaining that she was in a moment of tension and the inability to act, when publishing it.
She expressed her hope that people will realize that such situations call for psychological support, observance and assistance, instead of notifying women that they are not worthy of driving vehicles.