Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, share news and experiences, and even connect with like-minded people from all over the world. However, there is a dark side to social media that college students need to be aware of before they start posting.

Social media sites make it easy to commit criminal offenses over the internet. While sitting behind a screen may warrant less danger than inciting physical violence while commissioning a crime, the criminal justice system will still continue to enforce stiff penalties for those who use social media platforms to break the law.

What Are the Different Types of Social Media-Related Crimes?

There are several types of social media-related crimes that college students could get involved with, either by accident or intentionally.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined as the use of electronic devices to deliberately bully or harass another person. This can include sending threatening or abusive messages, publishing hurtful or private information about someone, or spreading rumors about someone. Cyberbullying can occur between two people who know each other, or it can be a one-sided attack from a stranger.

There can be serious consequences for students who engage in cyberbullying. Colleges and universities have strict anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that extend to online activity. If a student is found to have engaged in cyberbullying, they could face penalties from their college or university, such as suspension or expulsion. In extreme cases, they could even face criminal charges

Revenge Porn

Revenge porn is defined as "the distribution of sexually explicit images or videos of someone without their consent." In most cases, the person who posts the images or videos is doing so in order to embarrass or humiliate the individual. In some cases, revenge porn is posted by ex-partners as a way to get back at them.

While revenge porn has been around for years, it has only recently gotten mainstream attention due in large part to social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. These platforms make it easy for anyone to post sexually explicit images or videos with little to no consequences. Unfortunately, this means that college students are not immune from revenge porn.

With the rise of social media and camera phones, it has become easier than ever for someone to share intimate photos or videos of another person without their consent. Once these images or videos are shared online, they can be difficult (if not impossible) to remove. The victim of revenge porn often suffers from shame, embarrassment, and feelings of powerlessness.

In some states, revenge porn is considered a crime. Even if it's not considered a crime in your state, you could still face legal action if you distribute revenge porn and the victim decides to sue you for damages. In addition to legal penalties, there could also be consequences from your college. For example, you could be expelled from the school or suspended for a certain period of time. You could also be required to undergo counseling or attend sensitivity training courses.

Catfishing

In its broadest definition, catfishing is when someone uses a fake online persona to lure another person into a relationship. This can be done for a number of reasons, including financial gain, to cause emotional damage, or simply for the perpetrator’s own amusement.

In 2015, Notre Dame football star Manti Te’o was tricked into believing he was in an online relationship with a woman who turned out to be completely fabricated. College students are especially vulnerable to being catfished because we are often seeking out new relationships in unfamiliar environments. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made this problem worse by forcing us to rely on Zoom and other forms of social media for our social interaction, making it even easier for catfishers to prey on unsuspecting victims.

If you're caught catfishing someone in college, the consequences can vary depending on the severity of the deception and the harm that was caused. Some of the potential penalties include being expelled from the college, being suspended from the college, having to complete community service, having to pay a fine, being placed on probation, having a permanent record at the college, and being banned from using social media or other online platforms

The consequences of getting caught catfishing someone in college are not worth it. It's simply not worth risking your future and your reputation for something that isn't going to benefit you in any way.

Hacking and Fraud

Hacking is the unauthorized access of computer systems or data. Hackers may use a variety of methods to gain access, including but not limited to guessing passwords or exploiting software vulnerabilities. Once they have access, they may engage in activities such as installing malware, stealing sensitive data, or launching attacks on other systems. While some hackers do it for fun or to prove their skills, others do it for profit or to cause damage.

Fraud is the intentional misrepresentation of facts for the purpose of deception. This deception can be used for personal gain or to damage another person or organization. There are many types of fraud, but some common examples include identity theft, credit card fraud, and impersonation.

If you're caught hacking or committing fraud while you're in college, the school can take disciplinary action against you. This disciplinary action can range from a warning to expulsion from the school. In addition, you may be subject to criminal charges. The severity of the punishment will depend on the nature of the offense and any previous offenses you may have committed.

Reach Out for Legal Help

If you’ve been accused of social media-related crimes at your university or college, you need to reach out for legal help. The repercussions could get you into serious trouble with the school and ruin your future plans.

Joseph D. Lento and the team at the Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping students who’ve been accused of social media crimes. They know what to do to help you build the best defense possible.

Contact Joseph Lento and the rest of the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Your future depends on it.

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