The viral footage captured a tense moment on a domestic flight in Brazil where a mother asked a passenger to swap seats so her child could sit by the window. : Jeniffer Castro

The "Crying Girl" trope highlights a shift in how we consume human suffering. When a video of someone crying is "forced" into our feeds by an algorithm, it blurs the line between a cry for help and a piece of entertainment. For the person in the video, the digital footprint of their most vulnerable moment can last forever, affecting their mental health and future professional opportunities.

By working together, we can create a safer, more compassionate online environment that prioritizes mental health and well-being.

'Sadbait': Why algorithms, audiences and creators love to cry online

On a societal level, such incidents contribute to a culture of voyeurism and the objectification of individuals, particularly women. They also underscore the need for stronger legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to protect privacy and prosecute those who exploit others through digital means.