Watch Live: CityNews Tonight Vancouver

The social media shaming of folks who don’t clear sidewalks of snow, ice

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – You don’t have to look too far to find ice-covered sidewalks around Metro Vancouver and there are a lot of comments piling up online shaming those who haven’t shoveled them — which in some municipalities is the law.

But is so-called “ice-shaming” actually making things safer for the community?

Dr. Richard Carpiano, a sociologist at UBC, says not directly. In that it’s probably not going to change an individual neighbour’s behaviour. “In many respects it can be useful for others to be seeing that in the sense that showing or reminding others about what we can consider to be community norms about contributing to the city and looking out for your fellow citizen.”

The translation of that is nobody wants to be the person shamed on social media.

He adds it can benefit politicians who are trying to figure out if the public is happy with how things are being handled. “A direct way for elected officials to be gauging what is the public’s reaction to how different cities are providing services.”

Carpiano says there is a positive that can be taken out of all this. “But again, to the degree it’s going to get that homeowner or one particular business to change their behaviour — social media provides more of an opportunity for an individual to express their outrage at another individual than really getting them to change.”

In Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and Richmond clearing of snow must happen by 10 a.m. following a snowfall, while in North Vancouver and Surrey the bylaw reads “as soon as possible.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today