It’s no secret that social media and the internet play a huge role in everyone’s life. Social media is where people communicate with one another and get information about events happening in the world. Although the internet comes with its perks, online vigilantism, which is the act of carrying out police like actions with out legal authority through the internet, has created conflicts and has a large impact on many people’s lives.
Online Vigilantism is a dangerous and unnecessary way to seek justice against crimes like doxing, scams, cyberbullying, and stalking. Those who participate in online vigilantism put themselves in danger and risk getting in trouble with the law.
Not only can online vigilantism put others in danger, but vigilantes also put themselves in danger during their hunt for justice. Investigating a case or crime without having proper training and practice can create many conflicts that are difficult and possibly not resolvable. These consequences include getting injured or possibly even death, changing the vigilante and other people’s entire lives.
Another reason the acts of online vigilante should not be carried out to prevent crime is that many people performing acts such as to restrain a child predator they’ve lured into a meeting, and do not have legal authority to do so. By carrying out this act, it can cause consequences like getting in trouble with the law. As a result, if you are doing something illegal there is the possibility of being charged due to actions and which counter acts the whole point of trying to find justice of the vigilantes just end up being just as much of a criminal as the people they are trying to catch or expose.
Vigilantes aren’t always trained or educated in investigative work and normally don’t have the credentials to be a trustworthy source for whether someone is guilty of a crime. Because of this, the act of online vigilantism can lead to things such as jail time, fines, or degrading of character for the vigilante. In 2012, NBC News wrote an article about vigilante Kyle Swanson, who was charged with unlawful restraint, obstruction of justice, and assault after refusing to let a man, who was a supposed pedophile, out of his car. Swanson posted the video of him restraining the man on YouTube, bringing more attention to his actions. As a result of Swanson’s vigilante actions, he was arrested but was later released after posting a $40,000 bail.
Although online vigilantism can come with lots of consequences, many argue that taking action in crimes online can bring bad people to justice. Taking action in these crimes online can help solve problems that people with legal authority were unwilling or unable to solve. Online vigilantism can also encourage others to stand up for their rights and seek justice for themselves and their communities.
As a solution, any crime or threat that anyone may see online should instead be reported to the police or a person with legal authority to investigate a crime. By doing so, it can help prevent getting in trouble with the law and can protect people wanting to seek justice from any danger that could be encountered when investigating a crime.
Online vigilantism is a dangerous and unnecessary way to seek justice and there are many other options rather than performing acts usually done by the police.
