Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead- casting a sterile glow on the crowded break room. 

Everyone was huddled around Emi’s( name changed for privacy reasons) phone, a video playing silently.

It was Byeol ( name changed for privacy reasons) , the intern everyone loved, absolutely *rocking out* at karaoke. 

Her rendition of “I Will Survive” was both hilariously off-key and undeniably fierce.  Laughter erupted but a pit formed in my stomach.

See, Byeol had a killer voice but crippling stage fright.  She wouldn’t dare sing karaoke in a million years, let alone film it.

Someone hit share and the video went supernova.  Within minutes, it was plastered across every department meme page with captions like “Byeol by day, rockstar by night” and “This is what happens when accounting gets wild.” 

The room erupted in fresh gales of laughter but I felt a cold twist in my gut.  This wasn’t funny.  Byeol was gonna be mortified.

Sure, I could’ve spoken up.  I could’ve said, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t share this. Cheryl might not be cool with it.” 

But honestly? 

Part of me just wanted to join in… 

The video *was* funny and who doesn’t love a good viral moment, right? 

So I stayed silent, scrolling through the comments with a growing sense of dread.

Later that day, Byeol stormed out of the office in tears.  Apparently, her phone had blown up with messages, and she felt utterly humiliated. 

I found her in the stairwell, mascara running and for the first time…. I realised the human cost of that “hilarious” video. 

I stammered out an apology… but the damage was done.

That night, the internet mocked Byeol but I just felt sick. 

Here’s the thing:

taking a stand can be tough.  Sometimes it means being the buzzkill, the voice of reason in a room full of laughter. 

But you know what? 

It’s always better than being the person who contributes to someone else’s misery.

A Request : 

Next time you see something online that makes you uncomfortable, speak up.  You might not be the hero of the story, but you could be the reason someone doesn’t have a terrible day.  Because trust me, a few internet points aren’t worth someone’s tears.

#BeKind #DigitalDecency #WeHaveThePower