A controversial story has gone absolutely viral this week.
And it’s all because a school forced a student to remove American flags from his car.
And it’s caught the attention of Americans…
The parents of the student have since pulled him from the school.
Scroll on to see the story from the beginning …
Now, we all love a viral moment.
It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll see anyone who doesn’t enjoy viral social media content.
And it’s not just the kids.
The majority of us adults are too, with us posting every inch of our lives on these apps and communicating with others through them solely.
It’s not just about funny videos though.
People can actually earn a living through social media, such as selling things on Instagram or starting a business through Twitter.
What is TikTok?
Basically, it is an iOS and Android app made for creating and sharing short lip-sync, comedy, and talent videos.
It went viral pretty quick…
It was the world’s fourth most downloaded app in 2018, beating Instagram and Snapchat – which is a pretty big achievement!
It reminds many people of Vine.
Who remembers Vine? Launched in 2012, Vine was a short-form video hosting service that allowed users to share 6-second-long looping video clips.
And TikTok videos are similarly weird.
But it has to be said, the majority of them are rather entertaining.
Animals and TikTok are the best combination.
More and more people jumped on board the TikTok bandwagon and started getting their beloved pets involved.
Some are just plain weird…
It’s a mystery as to what goes through people’s heads when certain types of TikTok videos are made…
And of course, who could forget the pranks on Tiktok…
People love to film themselves pranking others and share it online.
However, it’s not just TikTok that brings viral content to the world.
In the digital age, the power of the internet has given rise to a new cultural phenomenon – the viral moment.
Whether it’s a funny video, an emotional story, or a powerful message, these moments have the ability to capture the attention of millions across the globe, transcending borders, languages, and cultures.
At the heart of every viral moment lies remarkable content. It could be something humorous, heartwarming, shocking, or awe-inspiring.
Videos, images, memes, tweets, and challenges are some of the most common forms of viral content. The brevity of these formats often makes them easily shareable across various social media platforms.
Emotions also play a pivotal role in the spread of viral moments. Content that elicits strong emotions, such as laughter, sadness, anger, or inspiration, is more likely to be shared.
When users resonate with a particular emotion, they tend to express it by forwarding the content to their friends, family, and followers, effectively creating a chain reaction.
Social media platforms act as a catalyst for the propagation of viral moments. The interconnectedness of these platforms allows content to spread rapidly.
Algorithms employed by platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram further amplify content by prioritizing highly engaging posts, ensuring they reach a wider audience.
Viral moments are also often a reflection of the current cultural zeitgeist.
Memes and content that references trending topics, current events, or pop culture have a higher chance of going viral.
People enjoy sharing content that feels relevant and relatable to their lives, creating a sense of community around shared experiences.
Timing is everything when it comes to viral moments. An event or content may not become viral if it’s shared too early or too late.
Often, a perfect combination of timing and synchronicity results in the explosion of a viral moment. It can be influenced by current events, trends, or simply being in the right place at the right time.
Viral moments represent the dynamic nature of the internet and its ability to connect people on a global scale.
As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the internet, viral moments will undoubtedly remain an integral part of our online culture, showcasing the immense power of human connectivity in the digital age.
And this week, it’s a story about flags that has captured the interest of the internet.
After Christopher Hartless – who attended Staunton River High School – was told he had to remove the flag on his vehicle.
He told ABC affiliate WSET-TV: “I don’t understand how it’s a distraction if they have one on the flagpole that every other student can see.”
“My family fought for America and I feel like I should be able to represent the flag that they fought for.”
Step-mom Christina Kingery agrees.
“If this is what he is believing in, me and his dad are both going to stand behind him all the way to the end of it,” she said.
She’s even pulled him from school until the matter resolves.
“If they’re willing to change and let kids want to fly the American flag, then I’ll put him back in Staunton River… possibly put him back in Staunton River, but if they don’t, then I’m going to continue to let him fly his flags.”
“I think that every student doesn’t matter what you believe in, what flag you fly, as long as it’s not harmful and it doesn’t disgrace our country, you have the right to fly it,” she added.
But the school has confirmed: “Regarding flags on cars, the student parking contract, which has been used by all 3 of our high schools for many years, states, ‘Large flags or banners are not allowed to be flown or displayed on vehicles due to their distractive nature.'”
“School Board Policy IEA: Promotion of Patriotism states, ‘the current American flag shall be displayed on the grounds of every school,’ and the Pledge of Allegiance ‘shall be recited daily, each morning, in every classroom’ in accordance with state law.
“Please be assured that we proudly fly the American flag throughout the school, and the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every morning.”
