When Vlogging Becomes a Public Nuisance

✒ Nabeel Payyoli

2 October 2026, 0 21 Rabi al-Thani 1448 AH

The COVID-19 period brought numerous crises. Incurable illnesses entered the lives of many, businesses collapsed, and so much more. However, perhaps an even greater tragedy emerged from the antics of people seeking ways to generate income from social media. The world of social media offered anyone with a mobile phone and an internet connection the potential to earn money. Realizing this, people began chasing after it, creating a situation that has given rise to no small amount of trouble.

Finding a source of income is essential to move forward in life. However, upon recognizing the possibilities on social media, many have abandoned their studies and jobs, deciding to live solely on income generated from social platforms.

The biggest challenge they face is content itself. Every morning, they are plagued by the thought of what topic to base today's video on. Furthermore, social media platforms introducing phase-by-phase restrictions and significantly slashing earnings pose major challenges for these "social media lives."

It is from the quest to find ways to reach a larger audience that we end up seeing people all around us shamelessly broadcasting every detail of their lives from the moment they wake up until they go to sleep at night just to make money. What else can we call this but a tragedy! There are numerous people today earning money by selling far worse things.

In any case, it is to overcome this content drought that many venture into public spaces with their mobile phones, turning into a public nuisance. Society must seriously discuss how the actions of such thoughtless individuals infringe upon human freedom and privacy. Camera eyes disrupt our lives to a great extent to the point where one cannot walk, sit, eat, or even visit a house of mourning in peace. Allowing any individual to safeguard their privacy and dignity is a minimum courtesy.

People find themselves in various situations, crises, and mental states. Take, for instance, a child whose parents are separated; the child comes to meet the mother without the father's knowledge, and as they share affection and converse, these intrusive camera eyes might barge in as a nuisance. In countless such sensitive situations, people barge into private spaces with cameras, creating unnecessary complications.

We often witness numerous incidents that serve as a wake-up call to those who push forward by crossing all boundaries of humanity and decency, driven purely by the urge to earn money and boost reach. The recent event that led to the suicide of a Kozhikode native is the latest example of this. No individual can bear damage to their self-respect and dignity. Those living behind the camera must exercise the restraint and wisdom needed to avoid becoming the cause of such tragedy.

There are several countries that have banned filming reels in public spaces. Even in our own country, such restrictions exist in places of worship. People's representatives, the government, and law enforcement agencies must take the initiative to extend these restrictions to public spaces. Although courts have highlighted the gravity of this issue on multiple occasions, strict laws and enforcement measures remain essential. Money should not be earned by ruining the lives of others; sensible individuals ought to seek respectable ways to make a living.

There are also instances where those who leverage social media opportunities lose their accounts overnight whether through hacking or account termination by service providers. Suddenly losing one's income overnight has plunged many into severe life crises. Therefore, those who abandon their education and careers to venture into such risky experiments are inviting immense tragedy upon themselves. While there are plenty of honorable ways to earn money, those who fall into these paths ought to rethink their choices.