Scotty’s Horror Short Showcase: ‘Flagged’

Written by Scott Edwards

With how big Social Media has gotten over the years, there has been a massive push to keep it somewhat safe for all of its users. While sites allow questionable material to be flagged as inappropriate or offensive, there is a review process that it needs to go through to determine if it should be removed or not. Watching over the past couple of years as some things get taken down and other stuff is allowed to stay, there does not seem to be much rhyme or reason to it, for it is all in the eyes of the reviewer. It does not seem to be an easy job, to say if something is free speech or not appropriate for anyone to see, but some poor soul is forced to make the decision and for that, they must be commended. 
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Trying to leave the house for her first day of work, Mila is stopped by Ethan before she can get into the car. Wanting to make sure that this is what Mila really wants to do, she comes clean about needing the money, since Ethan has been laid up by a broken leg. Wishing her luck on her first day, he makes sure to put it out there that if she does not like it, she can come straight home. Knowing that there is always that opportunity to leave, Mila says goodbye and makes her way to her new place of employment. 

Arriving at the office and finding out that she has parked in a permit only parking spot, Mila is surprised that the security guard is willing to give her a pass on her first day. Getting into the office and seeing that it is far off of the campus, Mila is shown around by Leon who is more than happy to have her on such short notice. Arriving at the vacant desk, Mila is given her quick rundown of what needs to be done as the new content moderator and put to work. With only having to watch fifteen seconds of ‘Flagged’ videos, Mila thinks that the job is going to be easy, but as the day moves on, she starts to see disturbing content that is leaving her more than a little rattled. But there is a new series of videos that appear on her screen and one after the other brings a hooded figure closer to home… or the quiet office.

Wow, one thing that this horror short does, is make me not want to be the person that chooses the fate of a video online, appropriate or not. It is easy to see that the videos that are flagged for this company are pretty disturbing, even though you only get to see a select few. The troubling footage the Mila watches obviously is not for the faint of heart, but I must admit, that she knew what to do when the camera turned to her desk, she was just not fast enough. With a new job, some missing employees, plenty of obscene videos, a hooded figure, an axe and a thirst for internet fame, this horror short might make you think twice about taking out your frustrations online, or maybe just second guess about posting that video that will make the masses question your intent. Stay Scared.

Watch ‘Flagged’ on Hulu. 

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