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Published Thursday, January 14, 2021
Teenagers could be committing crimes
on social media without knowing it
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Social media could endanger minors at risk of being victims of crime or even to compromise them in committing crimes without knowing it.
According to Luis Diego Hernández-Araya, Prosecutor of the Juvenile Crime Office, social media can place children one click away from an unknown, complex and dangerous world, where it is very easy to cross the line towards becoming a victim or committing crimes.
“Young people handle it (referring to social media) with a high degree of misinformation, exposing to problems such as cyberbullying and entering in media of violent content, with the help of anonymity," Hernández said. "This implies a loss of values in three aspects: the low value of privacy, the low value of empathy (in not having real interaction with others) and the lack of reality."
The main illicit behaviors that have been detected in social networks are the publication of images or videos with sexual content of underage people, exposure to violent or inappropriate material and grooming (which is the action used by a pedophile in preparing a child for a meeting, especially via an internet chat room, with the intention of committing a sexual offense), Hernandez said.
Most of the social media crimes are related to sexual encounters with minors and corruption. Crimes such as distribution, possession, dissemination and production of child pornography have also been detected. The same situation happens with crimes as an invasion of personal information among others.
According to Hernández, adults must assume the role of supervisor and educator to children and teenagers, who out of ignorance may commit these crimes without realizing it and without having the intention of doing that.
In case of committing one of the previously mentioned crimes, the Juvenile Penal Law establishes that an investigation process must be conducted using the penalties according to the type of crime committed. It is sought to rehabilitate and re-educate the person who committed the offense.
These crimes, in the case of being committed by adults, result in a prison sentence.
In the case of minors, the Public Ministry will be in charge of analyzing the particular situation of the suspect and if the person is found guilty, will face a rehabilitation process, or prison-assisted order (this includes a guidance and supervision process).
According to the specialist, the parents or trustees must detect if the minor is at risk of committing or a victim of social media crime by identifying behaviors such as the following:
• Lack of self-control.
• Lack of social skills.
• Seen violence as normal behavior.
• Lack of concentration in school activities.
• Lack of tolerance in difficult situations.
• Becoming a spoiler person, like no appreciation for accomplishing a goal or not recognizing the sacrifices of getting something.
• Becoming a manipulator and anxious person.
The National Children's Trust is the public institution in the country that monitors and enforces the rights of children and adolescents. The institution provides free services such as psychology and legal advice to minors and their parents or trustees.
People interested in knowing more about how to prevent minors from being a victim or committing crimes on social media can request advice to a Trust specialist by calling 2523-0700. Or by requesting more information about crimes in social media at the Public Ministry line 2295-3000.
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What have you heard about kids being victims of social media crime, aside from cyber bullying? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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