Users, Losers and Scammers: How to Spot a Predator

941 Words2 Pages

We have all watched television shows, we have heard the warnings, and have read numerous articles that expose internet predators and pedophiles. Most of us are aware of the dangers surrounding children and teenagers as they navigate the internet’s virtual world. There is no shortage of predators online. Chris Hanson has a very popular show called To Catch a Predator that has helped bring awareness to the public of this heinous crime against children, and while this is extremely important to know and prevent, there is another large segment of society that is at risk too. This paper will focus on this “other” population. According to the dictionary, the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states “that the structure of a language affects the perceptions of reality of its speakers and thus influences their thought patterns and worldviews”. This use of language by the perpetrator, against his victim, forms the basis of this research. By discussing the psychological profile of the victim, and what makes them susceptible to the predator, it is the intent of this writer to inform, and to bring awareness to this cybercrime. It is with knowledge that victims can be empowered, and can no longer be stalked by online users, losers and scammers. They will be able to say “no”, because they will recognize the signals and language these predators use. These victims do not yet have television shows to expose this crime. Hopefully soon, they will. They are, nonetheless, victims are scammers and fraudsters who weave their web of lies and deceit, leaving behind destruction, broken hearts and devastation. It is a crime that has not yet found a voice because the victims are usually so ashamed, that they seldom report the crime. It is usually fami... ... middle of paper ... ...nd the world entering the workforce, marrying later, divorcing more, moving from place to place are reasons why there is a greater reliance the internet to find love. There have been more changes in the last 50 years than in the last ten thousand years, according to Fisher. Works Cited Brenner, Susan W. Cybercrime: Criminal Threats from Cyberspace. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2010. Print. Brizendine, Louann. The Female Brain. New York: Morgan Road, 2006. Print. Harrington, Brooke. Deception: From Ancient Empires to Internet Dating. Stanford, CA: Stanford UP, 2009. Print. Paumgarten, Nick. "Looking for Someone." The New Yorker. 4 July 2011. Web. . "Sapir Whorf Hypotheses." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. .

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