The High Cost of Online Vigilantism

Acts of online vigilantism should be seen for what they are – undisciplined displays of vengeance. Frustration with the lack of appropriate and enforceable laws should drive the demand for online laws and standards, not online anarchy.

Examples of Internet vigilantism range from cases where individuals sick of phishing take matters into their own hands and break sites; through the organized vigilante groups like Perverted Justice – whose actions in seeking out child predators are the basis of the vigilante TV spectacle known as To Catch a Predator; to the ongoing case of Megan Meyers’ neighbors who’s frustration with the lack of punishment for the woman who drove the girl to suicide, has spurred them to take punishment into their own hands.

While it is understandable that a grieving injured party wants to lash out and extract ‘justice’ these actions contribute to - rather than reduce - lawlessness. Even more concerning are the actions of individuals who are not victims, yet are eager to jump at the opportunity to play prosecutor, judge, and enforcer.

We’ve even come to the point where groups – like Perverted Justice and CBS – feel justified in extending their agenda past retribution against an actual offense to target those who may commit a crime. They get away with it because we inherently despise child predators. The reaction would be far different if they were targeting those who may speed, may steal, or may commit some other crime.

There have always been individuals ready to take matters into their own hands when frustration over lack of protections exists, and others who are just looking for an excuse to justify their actions under the cloak of ‘outrage’. These actions online are no different.

Though we may be frustrated at gaps within our justice system, modern democracies operate on the clear principle that individuals have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty of a crime in a court of law – not the court of public, or personal, opinion. Where existing laws are inadequate, the solution lies in strengthening the criminal justice system not circumventing it.

Fighting criminals isn't a job for ordinary citizens online or offline – it leads to perverted justice