Online Actions, Real-World Consequences: Avoiding Serious Legal Pitfalls on the Internet
More people are online than ever before. This rapid transition to the digital world can lead to some people unknowingly making unlawful decisions. In his article “11 Illegal Things You Unknowingly Do on the Internet,” Andy Slynchuk points out 11 common things people do online that are against the law. The five most serious illegal activities he mentions involve personal risk associated with more severe legal consequences.
- Collecting Information about Children: Minors are protected under the Children Online Protection Act. Offenses against this especially vulnerable group can lead to significant fines and imprisonment.
- Illegal Searches on the Internet: Attempting to access illegal material like child exploitation content, bomb-making, or criminal services for hire is prohibited. Consequences for these unlawful activities can result in severe criminal charges and registration as a sex offender in some cases.
- Faking Your Identity Online: Identity theft is a serious offense. This white-collar crime carries heavy fines and potential imprisonment. Minors lying about their age is a lesser violation. However, it is still illegal and can lead to the removal of application services.
- Sharing Passwords, Addresses, or Photos of Others: Disclosing someone’s address, known as doxing, may not seem unlawful. Doxing becomes illegal if it is part of an attempt to threaten, harm, or intend to cause emotional distress. In Virginia, for example, doxing would fall under Virginia Code ยง 18.2-152.7:1 Harassment by computer; penalty, a class 1 misdemeanor. Disseminating passwords or photos have similar laws that can also result in legal consequences.
- Bullying and Trolling: Cyberbullying and trolling can lead to criminal charges, especially when they fall into harassment or threats classifications. These illegal activities can result in fines or even imprisonment.
Understanding what constitutes illegal online offenses is essential in navigating today’s digital landscape. While the internet offers enormous opportunities, laws must address the potential unlawful activities to protect society. Ignorance is no excuse for violating the law. Staying informed and exercising caution can mitigate unintended criminal activity.