(Representational featured image courtesy Shutterstock)

When the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London, crashed right outside the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport into the hostel of B.J. Medical College, it broke more than metal and glass. It shattered the hearts of families waiting at terminals, of colleagues scrolling through flight trackers in disbelief, of children who would never again run into their parents’ arms, and of young aspiring doctors whose dreams were tragically cut short.

In the hours that followed, the response was immediate – but not always helpful. Videos were shared with little context. Speculation ran wild. Graphic images began circulating before authorities could confirm how many lives were lost. And amidst all of this, people waited for names, for calls, for some closure.

In moments of profound crisis, it’s easy to feel utterly helpless, swept up in the current of information and emotion. But the truth is, every one of us, whether we’re a content creator, a social media influencer, a journalist, an aviation professional, or simply an online user, has a crucial role to play. Helping after a tragedy doesn’t always mean rushing to the site or starting a fundraiser. Sometimes, it begins with restraint, with critical thinking, and with the simple, powerful act of not amplifying harm.

This is not a story about wreckage. It’s a story about how we respond when something unthinkable happens, and how our humanity can guide our digital presence.

What you share online matters: empathy is the algorithm

In the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, the urge to share, to inform, to process what’s happening, is natural. But before forwarding a video, posting an update, or even commenting, pause and ask yourself some fundamental questions:

• Is this information verified by official sources? Unverified reports can cause widespread panic and distress.
• Is this image or video necessary? Graphic visuals of wreckage or, worse, human remains, are not just distressing; they are deeply disrespectful to families who may not even have been notified yet. Sharing them doesn’t help; it only multiplies trauma. Consider that individuals exposed to unverified, graphic content after a major event report increased anxiety and........
  

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