A New Spin on the Word "Catfish."
For the past few years, people of all ages throughout the world have been using other people's identities or fake ones instead of using their own profiles to talk to others on Facebook. Due to a new television show called "Catfish," this has become more common than ever.
The show "Catfish" conducted by Nev Schulman and Max Joseph has shown the vast amount of "Catfishing" around the United States. I am wondering to what extent people are going to take this. Even on the show people are getting highly upset because of how they are treated by these "fake people."
In one case, a woman pretended to be the rapper "Bow Wow." She even sent a woman money to make the story more believable. This case went on for half a year before the truth came out, with help from Nev and the show "Catfish." Social media can be easy access to use someone's identity without them even knowing it.
I have personally felt like I have been "Catfished." The same random woman has been messaging me for the past 6 months. I have no clue who she is, we aren't friends on Facebook, we have no mutual friends, and she only has about 10 pictures. I have told her to stop messaging me more than once, but she continues to do so. I get very aggravated and wonder how many other people she or he does this to.
I am wondering if this issue will eventually be pushed to a legal issue! I am thinking that one day a random person will make up a name of a real person and the actual person that has that name is going to get angry and make it a legal issue. I would be mad if someone was using my name and posting inappropriate things on Facebook. How would you feel or react? Will this ever go to trial? How far are people going to take this?
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25855/title.bow-wow-meets-catfish-s-dee-pimpin-keyonna
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I would be so freaked out if someone just started randomly messaging me. Especially, if this person and I didn't have a single link to one another. It makes you think how did they come across your page and what made them message you? I would block her if she continues, but it is harassment so I do not see why it would not be a legal issue. I also watched the show "catfish" and it was crazy to see how far people went. I learned that people will steal photos right off your page and then take on you identity, which is so creepy!
ReplyDelete-Audrey Hyde
I also agree that this should be a legal issue! I got very freaked out and I knew I was being "Catfished." I would hate to be one of the people that get Catfished into loving someone for years just to find out they have stolen someones identity. Although I am not sure how the government can go about making this a legal issue, I do believe that someone will keep pushing the Catfish until something horrible happens. It reminds me of the "Craiglist Killer" and now there are laws on Craigslist and they are very strict on the users that try to use fake information.
DeleteTaking in consideration all the problems that our world presents nowadays, ‘catfishing’ shouldn’t be one of our principal concerns. On your example about the woman pretending to be “Bow Wow”, you have to be pretty gullible to think that Bow Wow would pick up a random girl from Facebook to meet her and give her money. On the other hand, it’s shocking to me that the show “Catfish” actually exists. It’s unbelievable that there are actually people who take their time going around ‘catfishing’. Furthermore, I believe every lie has an end, and victims of these activities will find out sooner or later. How would you react if the person that you have been talking to for a couple weeks doesn’t look the way she says she looks? In my opinion, those who use this approach to meet people have a serious self-esteem problem. Nevertheless, in agreement to your statement, social media has created the ease for offenders to use as a tool for even more critical illegal activities, such as bullying, kidnapping, stalking, and theft. To conclude, it is recommended for anyone who uses social media, to familiarize with the privacy policies and options before creating a profile. If you think you have been “Catfished”, you can simply use the option of blocking or reporting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your statements, but I am just questioning whether this issue will arise to a bigger problem. I have never believed in a "Catfish" incident, but it's almost like stealing someones identity. This could be a huge problem if someone stole your identity, then you applied for a job and the business found the fake account on Facebook.
DeletePersonally, I think catfishing is so stupid. If you are foolish enough to believe that you are talking to a real person and they really have a legitimate reason for never meeting face to face then, you deserved to be tricked. I don't feel bad for anyone that has been tricked on that show. On the other hand, if I was the person who's identity was taken then I would be highly upset. It's slightly flattering but, way too creepy. I believe it can become a legal issue if someone takes it too far and begins to harm the real person's reputation.
ReplyDeleteI deleted my Facebook account recently because I feel like businesses check to see who they are interviewing and see what your do during your "free time". Personally I agree with Keantonia, I also think catfishing is stupid and if you are involved or a victim of catfishing it shows utter desperation. You should use your common sense when on social media, if you do not know the person you probably should not accept their friend request or talk to them. When facebook came out, many people were boasting on how many friends they had on their profile, however, odds are they do not really know the person they are adding or just heard about them or seen them in public. Social media is becoming very creepy in my opinion, anyone can see your profile and posts and if you aren't careful and you post your address or phone number a person can contact you or even show up on your front door step. How do you make sure you are not a victim of catfishing? Be smart and use your common sense and if you aren't either of the two you probably shouldn't have a social media account.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably one of the biggest issues when it comes to social networking. It is scary to think that people go to such great lengths to create a fake identity and interact with complete strangers. Sometimes those people get caught and their real identity is exposed but majority of the time these people are never exposed. They continue to pose as another person because they are able to hide behind a computer screen and potentially be whoever they want to be. That is the problem with social networking, the lack of accurate information that is available about people because they can manipulate and expose themselves as whoever and however they want too.
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