When Viral Videos Go Wrong: A Mother's Fight for Privacy and Justiced
Around the World Learning Center: Florida Mother's Legal Battle with Education Lawyers for Child Privacy in the Age of Viral Videos
Young Surai, aged 2, experienced a moment of fright during an unexpected visit from the Easter Bunny in her classroom.
In the age of social media, where viral videos can skyrocket to fame in a matter of seconds, one Florida mother found herself embroiled in a legal battle that no parent should ever have to face. Cassandra Bryson, a concerned mother, is taking legal action against Around the World Learning Center in Kissimmee, Florida, after a video of her two-year-old daughter, Surai Bryson, being scared by the Easter Bunny went viral on the internet.
The incident occurred in March when an employee of the daycare center captured Surai's horrified reaction to the Easter Bunny's unexpected appearance and shared the clip on Snapchat. What followed was a whirlwind of attention, with the video being viewed thousands of times online and even making its way to television, including a feature on Jimmy Kimmel's show.
Bryson's primary contention is that she had previously signed a form denying the daycare center permission to photograph or record her daughter. Despite this explicit request for privacy, the video was disseminated without her consent, leading to not only emotional distress for Surai but also a breach of trust between the daycare and the Bryson family.
Attorney Scott Leeds, who is representing the Bryson family, has stated, "I think this is an absolute case of negligence. I think there's also malice here as well on the part of that employee for disseminating that video." The lawsuit seeks damages for the severe emotional trauma and mental distress that Surai has endured since the video went viral.
As seen in the doorway, the Easter Bunny startled all the children, resulting in a video filled with tears.
What makes this situation even more disturbing is the racial element that has emerged. Cassandra Bryson expressed her anguish over the racially charged comments and labels that her daughter has been subjected to online. "The world now knows my daughter as the screaming African-American baby, and it's become a racial issue online. It has gone to places that I couldn't have even imagined," Bryson lamented.
Surai's distress is evident in the video, and her mother is hurt that her daughter's suffering has brought joy and laughter to millions. The daycare owner, when confronted by Bryson, admitted that she had the signed privacy form on file and apologized for the incident.
In the wake of this incident, Leeds intends to uncover the identity of the employee who recorded and shared the video. He believes that this case can serve as a catalyst for reevaluating cellphone policies in schools and daycare centers, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing children's education and well-being above all else.
Mary Bryson-Robinson, Surai's grandmother, recalled how different Surai appeared when she picked her up from school that day, with the school downplaying the incident. "For a bunny of that size to appear, I'm sure it scared the daylights out of her," she noted.
As the Around the World Learning Center investigates the incident, it remains crucial to address the breach of privacy and the emotional toll it has taken on young Surai Bryson. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting the privacy and consent of parents when it comes to capturing and sharing images of their children, even in the age of viral videos and social media.