The Frustrating Experience of Online Harassment and Its Real-life Impact

Recently, I have experienced an incredibly frustrating event that has left me both extremely angry and saddened. It revolves around a tragic series of events that unfolded in a small town, Moscow, Idaho, and the subsequent online harassment that ensued.

My Frustrating Experience: Joining a Band

Back when I was 18 to 19 years old, I had an audacious and ambitious goal to join a band called Dying Blynd. Unfortunately, one of the founders of the band, Sven Johnson, a bass player, presented a significant barrier.

I met Sven at a church in Colorado Springs, where he seemed approachable and nice at first. However, when he learned about my dream to join their band as a drummer, his response was outright dismissive. Despite being turned down, I decided to try and push through.

When I approached Sven again, he simply kept raising the age requirement for band membership. Initially, I had to be 20, and later it was 21. Upon learning that a younger man had been accepted, I challenged Sven, and he relented without further explanation. The experience was incredibly frustrating and highlighted the pure rudeness and lack of fairness. Sven’s behavior ruined the possibility of me becoming part of the band.

Tragedy in Moscow, Idaho: A Case of Senseless Violence

The frustration from that incident pales in comparison to what happened in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13th, 2022. Four university students lost their lives in a brutal murder that left the entire community distraught and the police overwhelmed. While the murder itself is the tragic event, it is the subsequent online backlash that has been particularly distressing.

The details of the case are grim. The four victims, who were barely out of their teenage years, were found murdered in their shared accommodation. While the authorities and the community were working hard to piece together the events, the internet turned into an arsenal of armchair detectives and conspiracy theorists.

Online Harassment and Its Real-life Consequences

The online harassment reached a fever pitch when the situation was misconstrued. The two people who were on the first floor and unharmed have been accused and doxed. Imagine their shock and terror upon waking up to the news that they were being accused of being complicit in a murder. There was no shred of evidence to support the claims against them.

Next-door neighbors were also not spared from the online brigades. Even the guy who happened to be on a nearby hood with the girls at a fast food outlet that night has faced intense scrutiny. The people who served them food have also been blamed. The internet has no boundaries, and anyone who had ever dated one of the victims would have their addresses and photos shared online.

The worst example is a TikTok influencer who posted 30-40 videos accusing a married professor and history professor. Not only did this individual have no evidence backing their claims, but it was based solely on tarot cards. The professor, who had known neither the victims nor the suspects, had to go into hiding after receiving death threats. This level of harassment has had a severe and life-altering impact on innocent people.

The police had to allocate valuable resources to address these accusations, which hindered the investigation. Thankfully, the police have made progress, and a man has been arrested in connection with the murders. However, the real work of healing and moving forward is just beginning.

Conclusion

Both my frustrating experience and the tragic events in Moscow, Idaho, highlight the devastating impact of online harassment and the importance of responsible online behavior. The number of lives turned upside down by these internet actions is alarming and serves as a reminder of the power and responsibility we have as online citizens. We must protect and support each other and ensure that truth and justice prevail in both the real and digital worlds.