Facebook lifted its breast photo ban on Sharon Adams, a breast cancer victim who posted pictures of her mastectomy for her friends and family only to have the pictures removed, losing the right to display them. The Daily Mail does not go into further detail as to whether other breast cancer victims and even nursing women can now post pictures revealing their breasts.
Aiding Adams in her plight and subsequent victory was an online protest which resulted in nearly 900 signatures. But should it have even to come to that? And, should they have been banned even if they were for the general public? In my opinion, no.
Breast cancer is a debilitating disease both physically and mentally. Social networking sites like Facebook keep us in touch with friends and family and with people who share various commonalities.
No breast cancer victim should be concerned with having their photos removed—let alone having the reason be because they are "sexual and abusive" as Facebook deemed. They use them as a way to reach out and connect to other women and families in the same situation.
Hopefully Facebook will change its tune when it comes to the issue of nursing mothers posting their breastfeeding photos too. After all, there is nothing "sexual or abusive" about that either.
Unbanning Breast Photos
Cancer Victim Wins Right to Bare Mastectomy Scar on Facebook
Trend Themes
1. Cancer Advocacy on Social Media - Companies can disrupt the healthcare and social media space by supporting and uplifting cancer advocacy on social media.
2. Digital Empowerment of Victims - Companies can disrupt the tech industry by creating platforms that allow victims of debilitating diseases to share their stories and empower others digitally.
3. Changing Social Stigmas Digitally - Companies can disrupt the social media industry by promoting inclusivity towards breast cancer patients and nursing mothers, changing social stigmas through digital channels.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Industry - The healthcare industry can disrupt conventional practices by adopting social media advocacy for the victims of debilitating diseases.
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3. Social Media Industry - The social media industry can disrupt the traditional norms around social stigmas by embracing inclusivity and amplifying underrepresented voices digitally.