‘They filmed me without my consent’: the ugly side of #kindness videos

Some social media users are building a following through feelgood' videos, in which, for instance, they give flowers to a stranger. The stranger then becomes their clickbait. Is there anything we can do to stop this?

Maree only wanted to buy some shoes. A pair that she liked the look of had gone on sale, so she made a trip into the city to try them on. It was late in the day in June, mid-winter in Melbourne, and the shopping centre was quiet. After making her purchase, Maree stopped for a coffee. And that's when it happened," she says.

A young man approached her holding a posy of flowers. He asked Maree to hold them for him as he put on his jacket. I wish I'd trusted my instincts and said no," she says. It was all so quick." Maree took the flowers - then the man walked away, wishing her a lovely day". She held them out after him, bemused.