Video calls

Ever since intnet became affordable, people started behaving like lunatics. Their behavior started getting worse with every second they spent on internet. One such behavior is obsession with video calls.

My first encounter with the craze/obsession of video calls was in my office. Once I saw a woman making a video call from the restroom. She had the camera focused on her and was speaking with someone on the video call, exposing the enter restroom area. I felt really uncomfortable. Restroom is a safe space. It is a space where we adjust our clothes. It needs to remain a safe space. I politely told her to not make video calls from restroom along with the logic. But this woman got offended. She started to squabble. I asked her a simple question, "would you like a stranger on someone's video call to see you adjusting your clothes?" She had no answer. This question made her realise what she was doing and how it was wrong.

This was not an isolated incident. I had seen a lot of people making video calls from inappropriate places. I had seen people making video calls to their friends from office cafeteria to show the cafeteria food. Once I saw a girl making a video call to a friend to show a "cute" guy from the office (here the guy did not know he was being filmed). I saw a person making video call in a no photography/filmography area (restricted secure zone). When security guards confiscated their phone they cried foul, suggesting they did not break any rule as they did not take pictures or videos (like seriously?) These were some of the inappropriate instances which I could easily remember. But overall I had seen a sharp rise in video calls in the recent years.

I am not against video calls. I completely understand that video calls are important, they make us feel connected. I have concerns with the places from where video calls are being made. I have issue with filming people without their consent. Video calls that may make others uncomfortable completely irk me.

Those who wish to make video calls, go ahead with them. But first be aware of your surroundings. Make sure if you are at an appropriate place. Look around to see if your video call would make anybody uncomfortable. Check your surroundings to understand if video calls are permitted where you are. Read the room and read the rules. Also, give a little thought if you would be fine if anybody else filmed you in form of a video call.

Nowadays where security and data privacy are concerns, irresponsible video calls add to this burden. Hence, I believe right usage of video calls is a digital etiquette that needs to taught to everyone having a cell phone in their hands. It is the need of the hour. Any innovation or technology is beneficial when it is used carefully. Video calls is a great innovation, but in wrong hands it will be lethal. Let's make a pact to use the technology carefully and impart this knowledge to family and friends.