Why it’s time to stop filming strangers in public for social media thrills | Jason Okundaye

None of us has an absolute right to privacy in public, but whatever happened to respecting people's basic dignity?

Once, when I was younger and would dress somewhat outrageously, I caught a stranger recording me on his phone as I danced on the tube, on my way to a gay club. The video never surfaced online to my knowledge - perhaps he simply sent it to a group chat - but for months I looked over my shoulder when dancing.

Turning strangers into online content for the purposes of comedy and entertainment has become a global pastime. And we lap it up. A drunk person relieves themselves in the street, a loved-up couple gets a bit steamy in a supermarket, a man is in his own world loudly singing out of tune on crowded public transport - the content is endless. But the line between lighthearted teasing and digital harassment seems to be getting thinner by the day.

Jason Okundaye is a London-based writer and researcher

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.