In recent years, people have developed a concerning habit during tragic events. Instead of helping those in danger, they take out their mobile phones and start filming. This has happened during fires, road accidents, building collapses, and terrorist attacks.

A painful example is the Gul Plaza incident, where many lives were lost, and families were torn apart, yet some bystanders were more interested in recording videos than offering help.

This behaviour shows a lack of care and humanity and makes us question what kind of society we are becoming.

When a tragedy happens, every second matters. People may be trapped, injured, or terrified.

In such moments, basic human values should guide our actions. Helping someone move away from danger, calling emergency services, giving water, or simply offering comfort can save lives.

However, the growing habit of filming turns these moments into scenes for social media rather than moments of shared responsibility. The camera becomes more important than the person suffering just a few steps away.

The Gul Plaza tragedy shocked the nation. It was a place where people went about their daily lives, working or shopping, without expecting disaster.

When the incident occurred, panic spread quickly. Instead of a strong collective response to help victims, many people were seen recording videos.

These videos were later shared online, sometimes with dramatic music or careless comments. For the families of the victims, watching such clips can reopen wounds and deepen their pain. What may seem like ‘news’ or ‘content’ to one person is a personal loss to another.

One major reason behind this behaviour is the rise of social media. Platforms reward attention. Likes, shares, and views have become a kind of social currency. Some people believe that capturing shocking footage will bring them online fame, even if only for a short time. In this race for attention, empathy is often forgotten.

People stop seeing victims as human beings and start seeing them as subjects for a video. This change in mindset is dangerous because it slowly removes compassion from public life.

Another reason is fear and confusion. In an emergency, people may not know what to do. Instead of acting, they freeze.

Holding a phone gives them something to do and makes them feel involved without taking real responsibility. While fear is natural, using it as an excuse for inaction is not acceptable when lives are at risk.

Even small actions can make a difference, and doing nothing but filming only adds to the harm.

There is also a lack of awareness about how harmful this behaviour can be. Many people do not realise that filming can block rescue work. Crowds gather, roads get blocked, and emergency workers struggle to reach the site.

Flashing cameras and loud voices can increase panic among the victims. In some cases, private moments of pain, injury, or death are captured and spread without consent. This is not only insensitive but also disrespectful.

Another serious problem linked to this behaviour is the way it weakens trust between people. Victims expect help from those around them. When they see cameras instead of helping hands, they feel abandoned.

This loss of trust can stay with the survivors for many years and can shape how they see society. It creates a feeling that people care more about watching suffering than reducing it.

The impact on victims and their families cannot be overstated. Imagine losing a loved one and then seeing strangers sharing videos of their final moments online.

The pain of loss is made worse by the knowledge that others treated the tragedy as entertainment. This can lead to long-term emotional distress, anger, and disappointment in society.

Families deserve respect, privacy, and compassion, not the public display of their worst moments.

This behaviour also affects children and young people who watch such videos. They learn from what they see. If they grow up believing that filming tragedy is normal, they may never develop a strong sense of empathy.

They may think that being a spectator is more important than being a helper. Over time, this can create a cold and careless society where people feel alone even when surrounded by others.

Alongside this public behaviour, another disturbing habit appears during such crises. Political parties and even some social welfare organisations and public figures often rush to blame others instead of focusing on rescue and support.

While victims are still suffering, press conferences are held, and statements are issued accusing rivals of failure or corruption. Tragedy becomes a tool for political gain rather than a moment for unity and responsibility.

During incidents like Gul Plaza, people expect leadership, cooperation, and calm guidance. Instead, they often witness arguments, accusations, and defensive speeches.

This behaviour shifts attention away from helping victims and increases anger and division among the public. It also delays real solutions, as energy is wasted on blame instead of learning lessons and improving safety systems.

Some social welfare organisations, which are expected to rise above politics, also misuse such moments. While help is needed and welcomed, aid is sometimes turned into publicity.

Cameras are brought to relief sites, banners are displayed, and suffering is used to promote names and logos.

True service should be quiet, respectful, and focused on dignity. Using pain to build an image damages trust and lowers the moral value of charity.

Social media makes this blame culture even worse. Supporters of different political groups share selective videos, emotional messages, and false claims to support their side.

Rumours spread faster than facts, creating confusion and fear. Instead of unity, society becomes divided at the very moment it needs to stand together.

Repeated exposure to this behaviour slowly normalises it. When people regularly see others filming tragedies or turning disasters into political fights, they begin to accept it as normal.

What once felt shameful no longer shocks. This silent change is dangerous because it lowers moral standards without people realising it. Over time, society becomes less caring and more self-centred.

In many tragic incidents, there are ordinary citizens who want to help but feel discouraged by the behaviour of the crowd. When they see others filming, arguing, or blaming, they may feel their own efforts are pointless.

This social pressure can silence kindness. A person who might have helped instead steps back, afraid of standing out or facing trouble.

The role of authorities also matters greatly. When officials fail to communicate clearly and quickly, space is created for rumours, political claims, and misleading videos. People then turn to social media for information, which often lacks accuracy.

This confusion feeds anger and blame instead of calm cooperation. Clear and honest communication can reduce panic and discourage harmful behaviour.

Rescue workers also suffer because of these habits. Firefighters, doctors, police officers, and volunteers already work under extreme pressure. When crowds surround them with cameras or when political accusations question their efforts, their work becomes harder.

Instead of support, they face interference and judgment. This affects morale and can slow future responses.

It is important to say that recording is not always wrong. Journalists and authorities sometimes need evidence to understand what happened and to ensure accountability.

However, there is a clear difference between responsible reporting and careless filming by bystanders during active emergencies. At such times, safety and help must always come first.

Education plays a key role in changing this mindset. Schools, colleges, and community groups should teach first aid, emergency response, and empathy.

People should learn to ask simple questions in a crisis: Can I help? Can I call for help? Can I protect someone or clear a path? These small decisions can save lives.

Families and local communities also shape behaviour. Children learn values at home before anywhere else.

When parents explain why filming suffering is wrong and why helping matters, those lessons stay for life. Simple discussions about kindness, courage, and responsibility can have a powerful effect.

Political leaders must also reflect on their responsibilities. True leadership is shown in action, cooperation, and restraint, not loud accusations. Standing with victims, supporting rescue efforts, and promising a fair investigation later shows maturity and respect. When leaders fail to do this, they weaken public trust.

At an individual level, each person must reflect on their choices. Carrying a phone does not remove our duty to be human. Helping does not always mean heroic acts. It can mean calling emergency services, calming someone in shock, stopping others from filming, or offering basic support.

The Gul Plaza tragedy should be remembered not only for the lives lost, but for the lessons it offers. Tragedies will continue to happen, but our response can change.

If we choose compassion over cameras and unity over blame, we can protect our dignity as a society.

Progress is not only about technology and development. It is also about moral growth. An advanced society is one where people help each other, respect suffering, and stand together in crisis. Putting the phone away, refusing to exploit tragedy, and choosing humanity may not bring fame or power, but it can save lives and restore faith in society. There is no greater achievement than that.