What is the saddest thing you have ever seen on the internet?

The concept of the "saddest thing" can be highly subjective and varies greatly from person to person. However, here are some examples of content that are often cited as being particularly sad or emotionally impactful:

Sad Short Stories

Articles like the one on Reedsy Blog compile a collection of sad short stories that evoke strong emotional responses. These stories often deal with themes of separation, pain, heartbreak, nostalgia, and loss, which can be deeply moving for readers1.

"Try Not To Cry" Challenges

Videos created for the "Try Not To Cry" challenge, such as the one by Ryan Higa, compile various heart-wrenching scenes and stories. These videos include scenes like saying goodbye to a loved one, a soldier returning home, a lonely child eating alone, and other emotionally charged scenarios. The creator of the video claims to have scientifically researched the most tear-inducing content to include in the challenge2.

General Online Content

Other examples might include real-life stories of loss, such as videos of people saying goodbye to dying pets, soldiers returning home to surprise their families but also dealing with the aftermath of war, or documentaries about tragic events and their impact on individuals and communities.

Ultimately, what one person finds as the saddest thing can differ significantly from another, as emotional responses are deeply personal and influenced by individual experiences and sensitivities.