Interpersonal Crimes: An Overview

Interpersonal crimes, also referred to as content crimes in the digital realm, are offenses that directly impact individuals and have been significantly amplified by the advent of the internet. While these crimes existed before the internet, modern technology has expanded their scope, making them more pervasive and difficult to control. Below is an in-depth explanation of interpersonal or content crimes, their relationship to the internet, and the laws that govern them.

1. Definition and Scope of Interpersonal or Content Crimes

• Traditional Roots: These crimes have a basis in pre-internet criminal behavior, such as stalking, harassment, and the distribution of obscene materials. However, when these behaviors migrate to the online space, they transform significantly.
• Amplification by the Internet: The internet allows these crimes to reach a global audience, making them less controllable. The ease of spreading harmful content online, combined with the anonymity the internet provides, exacerbates the impact of these crimes.
• Cyber-Enabled Crimes: Content crimes fall under the category of cyber-enabled crimes. These are traditional crimes that have been expanded or intensified by the use of digital communications and the internet.

2. Types of Interpersonal Crimes

• Obscene and Violent Content: The circulation of obscene, violent, or exploitative images, such as those depicting child sexual abuse, is a significant aspect of content crimes.
• Malicious Communications: This includes online threats, hate speech, and abusive messages sent through digital platforms. These communications often target individuals based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or religion.
• Social Media Offenses: Social media platforms have become a major channel for committing interpersonal crimes. Examples include:
  • Trolling: Deliberately posting inflammatory comments to provoke others.
  • Online Threats: Direct or implied threats made through social media.
  • Disclosure of Private Sexual Images: Sharing intimate images of someone without their consent (commonly known as revenge porn).
  • Online Harassment and Stalking: Persistent and unwanted contact or monitoring of someone’s activities online.
  • Virtual Mobbing: Coordinated online attacks by groups against an individual.

3. Legal Framework for Interpersonal Crimes

• Malicious Communications Act 1988:
  • Scope: This act originally addressed the sending of offensive materials through the post, but has since been updated to include electronic communications.
  • Offenses Covered: Includes the sending of indecent, grossly offensive, or threatening messages from one person to another.
  • Penalties: A conviction under this act can result in up to two years of imprisonment if tried in Crown Court, where more serious cases are handled.
• Communications Act 2003:
  • Section 127: This section specifically deals with the sending of grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing messages over a public communications network, which includes social media.
  • Penalties: Offenses under this act typically result in shorter sentences, with a maximum of six months if tried in Magistrates Court, which handles less serious offenses.
• Jurisdictional Challenges: The internet allows perpetrators to commit these crimes from anywhere in the world, raising complex jurisdictional issues. What is illegal in one country may not be in another, complicating prosecution efforts.

4. Psychological Aspects of Online Interpersonal Crimes

• Online Disinhibition Effect: Dr. John Suler’s 2004 paper, “The Online Disinhibition Effect,” explains how people are more likely to engage in harmful behavior online due to the anonymity and lack of immediate consequences. This effect contributes significantly to the rise in interpersonal crimes in the digital space.
• Asynchronicity and Anonymity: The delay in receiving responses (asynchronicity) and the anonymity provided by the internet reduce the perceived impact of one’s actions, making offenders more likely to engage in harmful behavior without considering the consequences.

5. Conclusion

Interpersonal crimes, particularly those facilitated by digital technology, represent a significant challenge in the modern era. The expansion of these crimes due to the internet underscores the need for robust legal frameworks and international cooperation to effectively combat them. Understanding the psychological factors that drive online behavior is also crucial in developing strategies to mitigate these crimes. As we move forward, addressing these issues will require a combination of updated legislation, technological solutions, and public awareness campaigns.