JIHEE (MARIE) PARK
<Staff Writer>
Even the youngest of the Osgoode student body recalls the days when the internet and communications technology first exploded in our society, pervading every aspect of everyday life from the fundamental to the mundane. Since the 90s we have seen radical changes in the world’s approaches to human relationships, the way we do business, and how we entertain ourselves. Today, technology is the fifth limb of contemporary culture that most have come to depend upon.
Our growing dependency on technology can be evidenced in our classrooms – in every classroom, there is bound to be an unceasing cascade of the sound of keys tapping, as students diligently record verbatim what comes to pass between the professor’s lips. Much like the student, society witnesses more and more “face time” given to the screen. With the advent of social networking and continuing developments in computer technology, some of the more stigmatized and frowned-upon acts have found their ease of expression through such media.
Amanda Todd’s suicide has been the focus of such attention in recent days. The unfortunate case of the teenager brought to light again the detrimental results of bullying, especially today when bullies can find safety in anonymity and the distal removal that internet media offers. Individuals today, especially youth, are increasingly vulnerable to the filters of social media, where liability or moral responsibility is not as apparent as it would be if the action were carried out in “real life.”
Another cautionary realm of the virtual social reality is that of the recent phenomena of cyber-vigilantism, where ordinary people pursue justice for real-life offences with the aid of communications technology.
Shortly after Amanda Todd’s death became news, outraged individuals sought to avenge her treatment by using hacked information to find and bring justice to the people responsible for her bullying. The publication of this private information turned the tables, as the man suspected to be involved is now being harassed by hundreds of upset online users with threats and verbal abuse.
There are other famous documented cases of cyber-vigilantism. For example, there’s the Canadian case of Chris Forcand versus Anonymous. Hacktivist group Anonymous gained wide notoriety for its DDoS attacks against companies like PayPal, VISA, and Mastercard for cutting off service to Wikileaks in light of the latter party’s public release of confidential diplomatic cables. In their pursuit of Forcand, who was said to have been for soliciting sex from minors over the Internet, Anonymous posted evidence of incriminating conversations, as well as Forcand’s contact information. Following this, the police were able to arrest Forcand, which would become the first time an arrest took place as a result of Internet vigilantism.
Another Canadian case involved British Columbian teenagers who, in the online guise of an underage girl, contacted several adults who were intent on sexual relations with underage persons in the city of Chilliwack. The teens, having arranged a meeting time and place, went to meet the said individuals dressed in superhero costumes with video cameras recording evidence to be used for conviction. Commentators have warned that though the outcomes may have had its benefits, the teens were risking their own selves in their quest for justice.
It is plain to see that with the advent of new social media, the boundaries of acceptable social conduct are not as clear. Should civilians be granted the powers of investigation through previously unrecognized methods? Are members of the public justified in taking matters into their own hands, or could what they are doing be defined as a form of entrapment?
Additionally, there are several questions to be asked in regards to the government: Is the justice system falling behind in the midst of innovative new approaches to justice? Is there reluctance to deviate from the norms and practices that have held for decades? Where is, or is there, a dividing line of civilian involvement in investigation?
These questions are difficult to answer, and will continue to be so as we proceed onwards into the information age.