When Does Social Media Misuse Become a Federal Crime?

 Posted on September 20, 2024 in Computer Crime

Social media is a major part of life. It is where relationships are forged and broken, businesses grow or fail, and election campaigns are lost and won. It is one of the main methods of communication in our era. However, it is also a vehicle for misuse. Some of these misuses constitute federal internet crimes that carry serious penalties.

This article will explore different types of social media misuse that can lead to federal internet crime charges. If you or a loved one are being accused of an internet offense, consult an Illinois criminal defense lawyer to begin building a strong defense against the allegations.

Cyberstalking

One way social media misuse can be a federal crime is if a user engages in cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is when someone uses the internet to intentionally cause substantial emotional distress to someone else on at least two occasions. To be charged with cyberstalking, the offending user must have had the intent to:

• Kill
• Intimidate
• Injure
• Harass
• Surveil

Cyberstalking often takes the form of cyberbullying, which is relatively common on social media.

Child Exploitation

Child exploitation is another misuse of social media. Child pornography on social media platforms has gained media attention in recent years as public figures and lawmakers ask what tech companies are doing to combat it. The growing use of AI technology has also contributed to making social media a place for child pornography to spread.

Social media is also used for child sex trafficking, child prostitution, and other child-related sex crimes. According to some figures, 80 percent of child sex crimes begin on social media. There are about five million predators online and approximately half a million are actively searching for victims at any given time.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is another relatively common crime on social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X are where people publicize their identities. They provide personal and private information about themselves, often not realizing that it can be used for fraud. Scammers sometimes use a person’s social media data to commit identity theft.

Domestic Terrorism

Misusing social media can be considered a form of domestic terrorism. The term technically refers to people within the United States intimidating or coercing a civilian population to influence government policy. However, the federal government has broadened the definition of what constitutes domestic terrorism. Recently, a 15-year-old boy named Bradley Cadenhead was charged with domestic terrorism after creating predatory groups on social media.

Contact a Chicago, IL Federal Internet Crime Defense Attorney

There are several ways social media can be misused, and some of those misuses can be charged as federal internet crimes. Protect your rights by consulting the professionals at Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney. As a former prosecutor, attorney Hal Garfinkel understands how internet criminal charges work and how to craft a smart defense. Schedule a free consultation with a Chicago, IL internet criminal defense lawyer by calling 312-629-0669 today.