Opinion
The Podcast Sobriety Circuit is Big Business, Just Ask Your Favourite YouTubers.
The road to recovery is rarely linear, often marked by stumbles and setbacks. When someone we care about battles addiction, the natural instinct is to offer support and encouragement. But in the age of social media, the lines between genuine support and public spectacle can blur, raising ethical concerns, especially when profits and views become entangled.
Enter the complex case of Steve-O and Bam Margera. Both skateboarders (Steve-0 obviously not in the same level as Bam when it comes to Skateboarding), their friendship has played out in the public eye, often through wild antics and reality shows. Now, as Bam faces struggles with addiction and mental health, Steve-O has openly discussed these challenges on his YouTube channel, garnering millions of views.
The Tightrope Walk: Support or Exploitation?
Our scrolling through Steve-O’s content found over 10 videos and millions of views relating to Bam’s struggle. On the surface, Steve-O’s actions might seem supportive, aiming to raise awareness and offer encouragement. However, the situation is riddled with ethical complexities:
- Privacy Concerns: Publicly discussing Bam’s struggles without his explicit consent can be a privacy violation, potentially exacerbating the stigma surrounding addiction.
- Triggering & Exploitative: Sharing details of relapses or challenges can be triggering for both Bam and viewers struggling with similar issues, potentially hindering their recovery journeys.
- Sensationalizing Tragedy: When personal pain becomes public content, the line between support and exploitation becomes thin. Is the focus on genuine concern or garnering views and engagement?
- Profiting from Pain: Monetizing content that revolves around another’s struggles raises questions about the true motives behind sharing and potential financial gain from someone else’s vulnerability.
Beyond the Clicks: A Call for Responsible Support
So, how can we support those battling addiction while respecting their privacy and avoiding harmful sensationalism? Here are some alternative approaches:
- Respecting Privacy: Encourage individuals to share their stories on their own terms, fostering and control over their narratives.
- Offering Private Support: Connect individuals with professional help and offer private support networks, shielding them from the harsh glare of public scrutiny.
- Raising Awareness Responsibly: Advocate for broader awareness about addiction and mental health without exploiting individual stories. Focus on systemic issues and solutions.
- Empowering, Not Exploiting: Celebrate recovery journeys and success stories while respecting individual privacy and avoiding voyeuristic tendencies.
It’s hard to make sense of Steve-O’s choices in regards to publicly disclosing Bam’s struggles at a time when it would have easy to keep things off camera. As someone in recovery it seems to go against everything you are told during the therapy process. I’m sure the response would be under the guise of ‘raising awareness’ which anyone knows there’s no educational or beneficial result from this content other than more clicks which is the goal in this era!
Remember: Addiction is a complex disease, and the path to recovery is unique for everyone. Public discussions, while potentially raising awareness, must be handled with sensitivity, prioritizing the individual’s well-being and avoiding exploitation for personal gain. True support lies in empowering individuals, respecting their privacy, and advocating for accessible resources, not profiting from their struggles.