It is understandable that followers are worried. The individual on Instagram, reportedly 59-year-old David Alter (although this has not been verified), has been posting disturbingly edited images and suggestive material involving children, taking photos of actual minors, and sharing videos of himself dressed as a schoolboy in high-heeled boots.
Despite initially being brought to Reddit’s attention in April, the case has gained global exposure through YouTuber Nick Crowley’s recent mini-documentary “An Internet Rabbit Hole,”which has garnered 4.3 million views as of the time of writing.
In addition to the smartschoolboy9 subreddit, there have been countless rumors, accusations, and personal stories floating around, with online investigations reaching a frenzy this week and even leading to unsettling fan art.
The legal and ethical risks of smartschoolboy9 cybersleuthing
“According to Williams, although the intentions behind these efforts are often good, the outcomes can have serious legal and ethical ramifications.”
“A significant concern is the dissemination of false information. When unconfirmed accusations and hypotheses are widely shared, they can cause harm, such as damaging the reputation of innocent individuals.”
“Engaging in this type of speculation may further complicate ongoing law enforcement investigations and potentially hinder the pursuit of justice instead of aiding it.”
Williams noted the increasing use of cybersleuthing in recent times and warned about the potential danger of blurring the boundary between responsible online behavior and vigilantism.
Repeatedly, we have witnessed this phenomenon in other instances, as examined in the documentary Cybersleuths: The Idaho Murders, where internet sleuths often ended up impeding rather than aiding the actual law enforcement investigation.
Further elaborating on the issue, Andrea Abbondanza, founder and CEO of SEO for Restaurants, clarified, “For instance, any prior publicity surrounding the ‘David Alter’ case could potentially hinder future prosecution attempts, if the allegations are indeed proven to be accurate.”
According to him, the lack of training in collecting and analyzing digital evidence is a common cause of misinformation, as evidenced by numerous instances of falsely identifying a scapegoat.
Kalim Khan, a senior partner at Affinitylawyers.ca, voiced similar concerns about the legal and ethical implications of the situation. He noted that the allegations against Alter serve as a reminder of how quickly unfounded speculation can escalate into harmful accusations.
“He further emphasized the importance of understanding that taking part in these investigations could potentially result in individuals facing defamation lawsuits if they share inaccurate or deceptive information.”
Additionally, the open nature of these online forums could potentially jeopardize lawful law enforcement operations by allowing for the exposure of confidential information or the warning of suspects.
It is possible that those involved may also be jeopardizing their own safety. In the smartschoolboy9 case, certain individuals have personally contacted him and publicly shared their findings.
Williams also added that individuals who take matters into their own hands may unintentionally violate laws, such as through engaging in acts of harassment or doxxing.
This not only exposes them to legal consequences, but can also worsen the situation in unforeseen and damaging ways.
What to Do if You’re Concerned: Expert Advice
If the smartschoolboy9 case is a concern for you, but you wish to avoid jeopardizing yourself, others, or any potential investigation, Khan advises informing the appropriate authorities about your discoveries.
He explained that law enforcement professionals have the necessary skills and resources to conduct investigations while also ensuring that due process is upheld.
Experts recommend reporting the case to the appropriate authorities
Expanding on the recommended steps, Williams emphasized, “In the event that you come across worrisome online material or have reason to believe illegal behavior is taking place, it is advisable to report it to the proper authorities instead of participating in or promoting public assumptions.”
In addition to law enforcement, he emphasized the use of Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms’ reporting tools to identify and remove content that goes against their guidelines.
Abbondanza offered comparable suggestions and also suggested utilizing specialized agencies like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (USA) or the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (UK).
“He concluded by reminding everyone that detective work is a task best left to professionals and should not be attempted by amateurs.”
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