THE PROBLEM

Technology, the internet, social platforms (not just Youtube, Instagram, Tik Tok, but all social platforms who derive their existence from user input) and anonymity create a powerful platform for people to act on powerful feelings, or mental disorders, to antagonize, harass, threaten, bully and commit crimes against others with impunity. 

THE ENABLER 

Big tech, who creates these platforms, hides behind laws that hold platforms harmless for content their users create. This creates a dynamic where platforms are incentivized to be tolerant of, or even encourage, users behavior so long as it does not impact revenue. While many tech companies have policies to "protect their community" these policies, and the teams behind enforcing them, are clearly ineffective and inadequate.

THE EFFECT

Nefarious activity including discussion, recruiting, organization, collaboration and execution of threats, violence, harassment, bullying and even crime happen in broad daylight. Time has proven that when a platform profits from these activities the incentive to deal aggressively with abuse simply does not exist.

REMOVING THE INCENTIVE

The only way the bullying, harassment, threats and violence will end on these platforms is if the platform itself is held liable. Since no one person at a corporation can be held accountable, the only solution is to fine the company. It will quickly become unprofitable to tolerate abuse. 

DETER THE BEHAVIOR

Online predators live among us, but we don't know who they are and they are proliferating because of the aforementioned favorable environment.

Sexual predators, by contrast, have many restrictions placed on them as a condition of their freedom such as restraining orders, ankle tracking devices, distance restrictions from schools and playgrounds, certain vocations are restricted. They must register with the state to enable someone interested in residing in a particular area to see where these individuals live in proximity. This is of particular interest to people with children

Cyberbullies are perhaps a more virulent predator. Their machination of choice is psychological torture as they enjoy having a live subject to carry out their evil against. They often work hard to keep their hands clean by manipulating others into carrying out fetishes or ideas, leaving them difficult to prosecute as they personally have never committed an egregious crime. They can be groomed by others and refine over many years the craft of secrecy, anonymity and elusiveness. They could be your neighbor, church pastor, sports coach, co-worker, contractor, your personal trainer or your care taker.

These individuals are emboldened because they discover platforms that are exceptionally tolerant to their desired behavior or even welcoming. Operating anonymously, masking their location, hiding behind VPN's and numerous fake usernames and anonymous email addresses make uncovering their identity extremely difficult. This emboldens them even more as the odds of ever facing prosecution is slim at best.

State legislatures should recognize this behavior and activity for its criminal nature. The damaging effects of which are equal to or more severe than those of a sexual predator often ruining family bonds, destroying marriages and causing unnecessary psychological trauma including suicide in their victims. 

THE AMPLIFIER

Sadly many who deal with the traumatic experience of cyberbullying are further victimized when they attempt to get help. While many "resources" exist with the intention of helping those under attack, they are often useless or dead ends. Law enforcement has a history of minimizing the actions of cyberbullies often claiming their behavior, while annoying, simply doesn't meet the standards set forth in criminal law. Let's not overlook that cyberbullies spend copious time researching just how close to the legal boundary they're permitted to operate without consequences. Frustrating even well intentioned law enforcement.

PETITION 1

Train, educate, empower and incentivize law enforcement to take these issues seriously. Secondary victimization only worsens the problem and can be avoided when "the system" fulfills it's duties.

PETITION 2

Recommend to your state legislature to create provision within the law to criminalize these predatory actions with harsh consequences including heavily restricted internet access, mandatory registration in a national database as a online predator, monitoring of their internet usage, mandatory psychological counseling.

PETITION 3

Hold platforms accountable with hefty fines when cyberbullying happens. Force corporations to cooperate promptly and efficiently with law enforcement to identify and prosecute predators.