Difference between revisions of "Online Dating - Catfishing Edition"

From SI410
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
Catfishing in mainstream media is known as an action performed by someone who utilizes another person’s online identity to target another individual usually causing harm or deception. There are various reasons why someone may be more inclined to use a false online identity include but are not limited to low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, seek revenge, monetary gain, exploring their sexuality, and seeking out revenge or harassment.<ref>Brennan MD,D.(2020, December 03)."Signs of Catfishing". ''WebMD''.https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/signs-catfishing</ref> Catfishing has long been a part of society but the term wasn't coined until 2010 when Nev Schulman released a film, [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1584016/ Catfish], about his experience being catfished himself after having a relationship with a woman he met online only to discover that she was not the person she identified herself as. From then on, many people seemed to identify with the film because they had similar stories which caused Nev to create a [https://www.mtv.com/shows/55vxjl/catfish-the-tv-show TV Show] to share those stories.
+
[[File:Catfish-2.jpg|400px|thumbnail|right|The male on the left is under the impression he is in communication with the lady he pictures in this thought bubble, but he is actually getting catfished by a catfish.<ref>Craddock,B.(2013, February 08)."Something's Fishy: Safety concerns come hand-in-hand with online dating".''The Flare Online''.https://theflareonline.com/2013/02/somethings-fishy-safety-concerns-come-hand-in-hand-with-online-dating/</ref>]]
  
Catfishing can have a greater impact in certain communities more than others, whether this be in relation to race, gender, or sexual orientation. It additionally has higher raters within specific communities, in comparison to others.<ref>(2017, January 10)."Abuse Using Technology". ''Women's Law''.https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/forms-abuse/technology-abuse/technology-tool-abuse/impersonation</ref>
+
Catfishing refers to an action performed by someone that uses another person’s online identity as their own. These actions target other individuals, often causing harm and always feeding on deception. Some of the reasons one may be inclined to use a false online identity include but are not limited to low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, seeking revenge, monetary gain, exploring sexuality, and seeking out harassment.<ref>Brennan MD,D.(2020, December 03)."Signs of Catfishing". ''WebMD''.https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/signs-catfishing</ref> Although the concept of catfishing has long been a part of society, the term itself wasn't coined until 2010, when Nev Schulman released the film [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1584016/ Catfish] about his own experience being catfished. Schulman's experienced revolved around his relationship with a woman he met online and how he discovered that she was not in fact the person she identified herself as. Following its release, many people who had similar stories to Schulman seemed to identify with the film; this inspired Schulman to create a [https://www.mtv.com/shows/55vxjl/catfish-the-tv-show TV Show] to share those stories.
 
+
[[File:Catfish-2.jpg|400px|thumbnail|right|The male on the left is under the impression he is in communication with the lady he has in mind but he is getting catfished by an actual catfish<ref>Craddock,B.(2013, February 08)."Something's Fishy: Safety concerns come hand-in-hand with online dating".''The Flare Online''.https://theflareonline.com/2013/02/somethings-fishy-safety-concerns-come-hand-in-hand-with-online-dating/</ref>]]
+
  
 
== Demographics ==
 
== Demographics ==
As of 2021, Alaska has been identified as the number one state with the most catfishing reports.<ref>Grant,A."States with the Highest Catfishing Rates". https://bestvpn.org/catfishing-statistics/</ref> Right behind Alaska, Nevada, and Wisconsin (the most dangerous scamming state<ref>Nyman,S.(2019, June 06)."Suckers for love? Report shows Wisconsin among top states for romance scams".''Post Crescent''.https://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2019/06/06/catfishing-statistics-wisconsin-ranks-no-3-romance-scams/1365159001/</ref>) are also known catfishing hotspots. On the contrary, states with relatively few cases of catfishing include: Vermont, South Dakota, and Montana. Once people report these cases of being catfished where scams are involved, states calculate the amount lost and add those numbers up over the course of the year.
+
Catfishing can impact in certain communities more than others, whether this be in relation to race, gender, or sexual orientation. Additionally, some specific communities have relatively higher rates of catfishing than others.<ref>(2017, January 10)."Abuse Using Technology". ''Women's Law''.https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/forms-abuse/technology-abuse/technology-tool-abuse/impersonation</ref>
  
[https://gobranded.com/ Branded], a data collection website did their own research on their community members to see who has catfished before. Their data suggested that 1 in 5 people out of 16,827 have impersonated someone else online to gain favor with others. <ref>Miles,K.(2019, May 15)."Men Are More Likely Than Women To Catfish".''Branded''.https://gobranded.com/men-likely-women-catfish</ref>
+
As of 2021, Alaska has been identified as the state with the most catfishing reports.<ref>Grant,A."States with the Highest Catfishing Rates". https://bestvpn.org/catfishing-statistics/</ref> Right behind Alaska, Nevada, and Wisconsin (the most dangerous scamming state<ref>Nyman,S.(2019, June 06)."Suckers for love? Report shows Wisconsin among top states for romance scams".''Post Crescent''.https://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2019/06/06/catfishing-statistics-wisconsin-ranks-no-3-romance-scams/1365159001/</ref>) are also recognized catfishing hotspots. On the contrary, states with relatively few instances of catfishing include Vermont, South Dakota, and Montana. When people report cases of catfishing where scams are involved, individual states calculate the amount lost and keep a running total of those values over the course of each year.
They also found that 25% of men pretended to be someone else versus 18% of the women who participated in the poll. Correspondingly, Branded also discovered data in relation to race and ethnicity such that about 28% of people who identify as Asian use a different social media identity than themselves. Trailing behind them is 23% for people who identify as Hispanic and 20% for people who identify as African American.<ref>Miles,K.(2019, May 15)."Men Are More Likely Than Women To Catfish".''Branded''.https://gobranded.com/men-likely-women-catfish</ref>
+
  
 +
[https://gobranded.com/ Branded], a data collection website, conducted their own research with their community members to determine how many of them had engaged in the act of catfishing. Their results showed that from a sample of size 16,827, about 1 in 5 people have impersonated someone else online to gain favor with others. <ref>Miles,K.(2019, May 15)."Men Are More Likely Than Women To Catfish".''Branded''.https://gobranded.com/men-likely-women-catfish</ref>
 +
From those same results, 25% of the men who participated in the poll admitted to catfishing versus 18% of the women. Branded's results also reveal that, in relation to race and ethnicity, 28% of people who identify as Asian, 23% of people who identify as Hispanic, and 20% of people who identify as African American use a social media identity that is not their own. <ref>Miles,K.(2019, May 15)."Men Are More Likely Than Women To Catfish".''Branded''.https://gobranded.com/men-likely-women-catfish</ref>
  
 
[[File:Catfish-tvshow.png|400px|thumbnail|right|Catfish: TV Show started in 2012 <ref>Buckman,C.(2018, January 22)."'Catfish: The TV Show' makes casting stop at SDSU".''The Daily Aztec''.https://thedailyaztec.com/87229/artsandculture/catfish-the-tv-show-makes-casting-stop-at-sdsu/#</ref>]]
 
[[File:Catfish-tvshow.png|400px|thumbnail|right|Catfish: TV Show started in 2012 <ref>Buckman,C.(2018, January 22)."'Catfish: The TV Show' makes casting stop at SDSU".''The Daily Aztec''.https://thedailyaztec.com/87229/artsandculture/catfish-the-tv-show-makes-casting-stop-at-sdsu/#</ref>]]
 +
 
==In The Media==
 
==In The Media==
 
=== [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catfish:_The_TV_Show Catfish: The TV Show] ===
 
=== [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catfish:_The_TV_Show Catfish: The TV Show] ===
The 8 season show stemmed from the movie created by Nev Schulman about his experience with a woman, "Angela", who was falsifying her online identity and in fact, turned out to be a married woman. Schulman is credited for establishing the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_9_WMc_WTI word] which he came up with after a conversation with "Angela" and her husband. The husband mentioned that codfish transported from Alaska to China would often arrive tasteless, so he used catfish to keep the fish nimble and arrive ready to eat. The catfish "keep you guessing, they keep you thinking, they keep you fresh. And I thank god for the catfish because we would be droll, boring and dull if we didn’t have somebody nipping at our fin.<ref>Harris,A.(2013, January 18)."Who Coined the Term “Catfish”?".''Slate''.https://slate.com/culture/2013/01/catfish-meaning-and-definition-term-for-online-hoaxes-has-a-surprisingly-long-history.html</ref>".
+
The TV show Catfish stemmed from Nev Schulman's movie about his experience and relationship with a woman, "Angela," who falsified her online identity and in fact, turned out to be a married woman. Schulman is credited with coining the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_9_WMc_WTI word] "catfish," invented following a conversation with "Angela" and her husband. In that conversation, "Angela's" husband mentioned that codfish, when transported from Alaska to China, would often arrive tasteless, so he used catfish instead to ensure that the fish would remain nimble and arrive ready to eat. The catfish "keep you guessing, they keep you thinking, they keep you fresh. And I thank god for the catfish because we would be droll, boring and dull if we didn’t have somebody nipping at our fin." <ref>Harris,A.(2013, January 18)."Who Coined the Term “Catfish”?".''Slate''.https://slate.com/culture/2013/01/catfish-meaning-and-definition-term-for-online-hoaxes-has-a-surprisingly-long-history.html</ref>
  
Using this as inspiration, Schulman then started Catfish: The TV Show to share more stories of people who related to his situation. He and Max Joseph then co-hosted 7 seasons of Catfish with one another, traveling across the nation to find out if someone’s lover was really them or an impersonation of someone else. The show is currently on its 8th season with Schulman and now Kamie Crawford as co-host. <ref>"(2012)."Catfish: The TV Show".''MTV''. https://www.mtv.com/shows/catfish-the-tv-show/3wergr/season-6</ref>
+
Using his own movie as inspiration, Schulman created Catfish: The TV Show to share the stories of people who experienced similar situations to his own. Schulman was joined by Max Joseph, and the two went on to co-host seven seasons of Catfish together, traveling across the nation to discover whether someone’s lover was who they claimed to be or an impersonator. The show is currently on its eighth season with Schulman and Kamie Crawford as co-hosts. <ref>"(2012)."Catfish: The TV Show".''MTV''. https://www.mtv.com/shows/catfish-the-tv-show/3wergr/season-6</ref>
  
Nev and his team would help individuals who think they're being catfished but are unsure if it's true. Using his resources, Shulman would do research into the supposed person and work with the guest on the show to discover their true identity.
+
On the show, Schulman and his team help individuals who suspect they're being catfished but lack certainty in their suspicions. Using his resources, Shulman researches the supposed catfisher and works with the show's guest to discover this person's true identity.
  
 
=== Catfishing on Dating/Networking Platforms ===
 
=== Catfishing on Dating/Networking Platforms ===
With the continuing rise of online dating and social networking platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr, catfishers are in a position to catfish more than ever before. The nature of these online platforms allows for virtually anybody to make an account and assume an identity that is not their own in order to make them more appealing for other users to interact with. Often, there are not sufficient safeguards put into place during the account creation process for these applications to ensure that someone is not engaging in catfishing and/or using someone else’s photos or other personal information. The account creation process is often as simple as entering an email address, a name, age, phone number, and from that point, the user is given the benefit of the doubt. <ref name='tinder'> Tinder: A Guide To Tinder: Signing Up and Getting Started: How do I create a Tinder account? https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003356706-How-do-I-create-a-Tinder-account- </ref>
+
 
 +
With the rise of online dating and social networking platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr, catfishers are in an optimal position to form relationships with others while using fake identities. The nature of these online platforms allows for virtually anybody to make a free account and to assume an identity other than their own with the intent of making themselves look more appealing to other users. Often, the safeguards in the account creation process are insufficient for these applications to ensure that someone isn't engaging in catfishing and/or using someone else’s photos or other personal information. The account creation process for these platforms is often as simple as entering an email address, name, age, and phone number, and from that point onwards, the user is given the benefit of the doubt. <ref name='tinder'> Tinder: A Guide To Tinder: Signing Up and Getting Started: How do I create a Tinder account? https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003356706-How-do-I-create-a-Tinder-account- </ref>
  
 
[[File:Tpa.png|thumbnail|right| A depiction of how to use Tinder's Photo Verification feature <ref> Tinder Photo Verification https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/article_attachments/360041006931/DFunyL2B.png </ref>]]
 
[[File:Tpa.png|thumbnail|right| A depiction of how to use Tinder's Photo Verification feature <ref> Tinder Photo Verification https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/article_attachments/360041006931/DFunyL2B.png </ref>]]
An attempt at safeguarding against catfishing and spam on these social platforms includes Tinder’s Photo Verification feature, which was introduced at the beginning of 2020. The feature is opt-in, and the mechanism for it is that Tinder will prompt users to take a series of selfies in which the user will assume certain poses. Afterward, the selfies will be sent in for both a manual and automated review. Accounts passing this review will then be given a blue checkmark on their profile <ref> Tinder: What is Photo Verification? https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034941812-What-is-Photo-Verification- </ref>. Bumble has a similar offering on its platform <ref> Carman, A. (2020, Jan 23) The Verge: Tinder will give you a verified blue checkmark if you pass its catfishing test. https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21077423/tinder-photo-verification-blue-checkmark-safety-center-launch-noonlight </ref> <ref> Bumble Photo Verification - KISS CATFISH GOODBYE https://bumble.com/the-buzz/the-end-of-catfishing-introducing-photo-verification </ref> While there is no source that directly indicates just how much this feature has reduced catfishing, the feature allows for reasonable affirmation that someone on Tinder is who they claim to be.  
+
 
 +
One attempt at safeguarding against catfishing and spam is Tinder’s Photo Verification feature, which was introduced in early 2020. This is an opt-in feature, and the way it works is that Tinder will prompt users to take a series of selfies for which they will need to assume certain poses. The selfies will then undergo a manual and automated review. If a user passes this review, they will receive a blue checkmark on their profile for other users to see. <ref> Tinder: What is Photo Verification? https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034941812-What-is-Photo-Verification- </ref> Bumble, another forum for online dating, has a similar offering on its platform. <ref> Carman, A. (2020, Jan 23) The Verge: Tinder will give you a verified blue checkmark if you pass its catfishing test. https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21077423/tinder-photo-verification-blue-checkmark-safety-center-launch-noonlight </ref> <ref> Bumble Photo Verification - KISS CATFISH GOODBYE https://bumble.com/the-buzz/the-end-of-catfishing-introducing-photo-verification </ref> While there are no concrete sources focusing on this feature and the reduction of catfishing, the photo verification feature allows for reasonable affirmation that someone on Tinder is who they claim to be.  
  
 
===To Catch a Predator===
 
===To Catch a Predator===
In 2004, NBC launched a new show [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Catch_a_Predator To Catch a Predator], an American reality tv program hosted by Chris Hansen focused on catfishing predators into thinking they’re chatting with underage teen girls online. When a man and the assumed minor planned to meet up, a sting operation was revealed where the predator was ultimately arrested <ref>‌Hansen, Chris. (2006, September 13). They’re Still Showing Up. ‘’NBC News’’ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14824427</ref>The show teamed with the Perverted Justice Foundation- an organization fighting to combat pedophilia via online chat rooms. Adult members often join chat rooms acting as minors and work with law enforcement to find pedophiles and bring them to justice  <ref>‌Perverted Justice Foundation. Frequently Asked Questions. http://www.perverted-justice.com/index.php?pg=faq#cat1</ref>.
+
 
 +
In 2004, NBC launched a new show called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Catch_a_Predator To Catch a Predator] hosted by Chris Hansen. To Catch a Predator was an American reality tv program that focused on catfishing predators into thinking they were talking to underage teen girls online. When a predator and an assumed minor planned to meet up, a sting operation was conducted and the predator was ultimately arrested. <ref>‌Hansen, Chris. (2006, September 13). They’re Still Showing Up. ‘’NBC News’’ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14824427</ref> The show teamed up with the Perverted Justice Foundation - an organization fighting to combat pedophilia via online chat rooms. Adult members of the Perverted Justice Foundation often join chat rooms while acting as minors and work with law enforcement to find pedophiles. <ref>‌Perverted Justice Foundation. Frequently Asked Questions. http://www.perverted-justice.com/index.php?pg=faq#cat1</ref>
 +
 
 
== Types of Catfishers ==
 
== Types of Catfishers ==
Within the realm of catfishing, there are multiple different types of catfishes. Each one has different motives and agendas when they’re meeting an individual online.   
+
 
 +
Within the realm of catfishing, there are various types of catfishes. Each one has different motives and agendas when they’re meeting an individual online.   
 +
 
 
===Cyberbullies===
 
===Cyberbullies===
People will create fake profiles online to share and spread information about a person they may or may not know. They aim to hurt, intimidate or harass the individual they’re targeting and it is often prevalent with teenagers or even adults<ref>‌Lohmann, Raychelle. (2013, April 30). The Two Sided Face of Teen Catfishing. ‘’Psychology Today’’ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/201304/the-two-sided-face-teen-catfishing</ref>. Bullying has always been prevalent within society, but the introduction of technology has heightened and allowed bullying to occur on a larger scale. Depending on the crime, cyberbullies could face legal ramifications<ref>‌Kaylor Law Group. (2018, November 15). What Are the Penalties for Cyberbullying?. ‘’Kaylor Law Group’’ https://www.kaylorlaw.com/blog/2018/11/what-are-the-penalties-for-cyberbullying/</ref>.
+
 
 +
Cyberbullying is often widespread amongst teenagers and even adults. Cyberbullies will create fake profiles online to share and spread information about a person they may or may not know. Their aim is to hurt, intimidate or harass the individual they’re targeting. <ref>‌Lohmann, Raychelle. (2013, April 30). The Two Sided Face of Teen Catfishing. ‘’Psychology Today’’ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/201304/the-two-sided-face-teen-catfishing</ref>. Bullying has always been prevalent within society, but the introduction of technology has heightened this prevalence and allowed bullying to occur on a larger scale. Depending on the offense, cyberbullies may face legal ramifications. <ref>‌Kaylor Law Group. (2018, November 15). What Are the Penalties for Cyberbullying?. ‘’Kaylor Law Group’’ https://www.kaylorlaw.com/blog/2018/11/what-are-the-penalties-for-cyberbullying/</ref>
 +
 
 
===Revenge===
 
===Revenge===
Those who may be jealous or angry at another individual may use catfishing as a way to “get back” or “get revenge” from those who have wronged them. They often will create fake accounts and post pictures of the victim without their consent. This is typically done to harm the individual’s reputation or embarrass them. They can also use the accounts they create to lure and seduce their victim resulting in emotional harm <ref>‌The Cybersmile Foundation. (2020). Catfishing. ‘’The Cybersmile Foundation’’ https://www.cybersmile.org/what-we-do/advice-help/catfishing/</ref>.
+
 
 +
Those who feel jealousy or anger towards another individual may use catfishing as means to “get back” at or “get revenge” on those who have wronged them. These catfishers will often create fake accounts and post pictures of their target without consent. This is typically intended to harm the target's reputation or to embarrass them. These catfishers can also use the accounts they create to lure and seduce their target, which can result in emotional damage for the target. <ref>‌The Cybersmile Foundation. (2020). Catfishing. ‘’The Cybersmile Foundation’’ https://www.cybersmile.org/what-we-do/advice-help/catfishing/</ref>
  
 
===Insecurities===
 
===Insecurities===
Some individuals may not have confidence in themselves in real life and use the internet to gain the attention or recognition they may not receive.  They may act like someone they wish to be instead of who they really are, in hopes of gaining connections and respect they may not have gotten if they were their true selves. In turn, this can help their self esteems and give them a glimpse into a life they want but may not have the ability to create <ref>‌Whigham, Nick. (2018, July 27). ‘It’s Hard to Stop the Addition’: The Reasons Why People Become Catfish. ‘’News.com.au’’ https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/its-hard-to-stop-the-addiction-the-reasons-why-people-become-catfish/news-story/9259328a281c24d4d6f6593750c71320</ref>.
+
 
 +
Some individuals may lack confidence in themselves when it comes to real life, and so they use the internet to gain the attention and recognition they may not receive otherwiseThese catfishers may embody someone they wish to be instead of who they really are, all in the hopes of gaining the connections and respect they could potentially miss out on if they stuck to their true identities. In turn, this form of catfishing can help users' self-esteem and give them a glimpse into a life they may desire but lack the ability to create with their own reality. <ref>‌Whigham, Nick. (2018, July 27). ‘It’s Hard to Stop the Addition’: The Reasons Why People Become Catfish. ‘’News.com.au’’ https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/its-hard-to-stop-the-addiction-the-reasons-why-people-become-catfish/news-story/9259328a281c24d4d6f6593750c71320</ref>
  
 
== Ethical Concerns ==
 
== Ethical Concerns ==
The many options of social media applications to engage in gives people a plethora of opportunities to interact with other people however they choose. This wide variety of social media applications allows for the possibility of one to interact with someone whose online presence is not their true self. In certain capacities, impersonating a professional can be illegal.<ref>(2012, August 17)."Online impersonation laws".''Reputation Defender''.https://www.reputationdefender.com/blog/privacy/online-impersonation-laws</ref>
 
  
Catfishing is an activity that often exploits other people’s anxieties, self-confidence (or lack thereof), as well as optimism in looking for a partner or friend <ref> The Cybersmile Foundation - Catfishing https://www.cybersmile.org/what-we-do/advice-help/catfishing </ref>. Notably, in early-mid 2020 as travel and gathering restrictions were enacted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, attention was once again brought to catfishing <ref name='corona'> Lopez, C. (2020, Apr 26) Insider - Coronavirus lockdowns create fertile ground for catfishers on dating apps, and the stress of it all may make the victims more willing to believe them https://www.insider.com/catfishing-on-the-rise-because-of-covid-19-quarantines-2020-4 </ref>. Due to the largely remote nature of most interactions during the pandemic due to social distancing, potential catfishers were less deterred by the prospect of eventually having to meet with someone they were communicating with <ref name='corona' />. That, in addition to the added stressors of life due to quarantine/isolation anxieties as well as fears of catching the virus, people could generally be in a state that is more susceptible to being a target of catfishing <ref name='corona' />. According to a poll by the American Psychiatric Association released in October 2020, 62% of Americans reported feeling anxious, a roughly 30% uptick from the same poll at the same time last year <ref> American Psychiatric Association (Oct 21, 2020) New APA Poll Shows Surge in Anxiety Among Americans Top Causes Are Safety, COVID-19, Health, Gun Violence, and the Upcoming Election https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/anxiety-poll-2020 </ref>.
+
With the wide variety of social media applications that currently exist, people have a plethora of opportunities to interact with others however they choose. This brings about the possibility for one to interact with someone on one of these applications whose online presence is not their true self. In certain capacities, impersonating a professional can be illegal. <ref>(2012, August 17)."Online impersonation laws".''Reputation Defender''.https://www.reputationdefender.com/blog/privacy/online-impersonation-laws</ref>
 +
 
 +
As catfishers take to online spaces looking for partners or friends, their actions often exploit other people’s anxieties, self-confidence (or lack thereof), and optimism. <ref> The Cybersmile Foundation - Catfishing https://www.cybersmile.org/what-we-do/advice-help/catfishing </ref> In early to mid-2020, as travel and gathering restrictions were enacted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, attention was once again brought to the topic of catfishing <ref name='corona'> Lopez, C. (2020, Apr 26) Insider - Coronavirus lockdowns create fertile ground for catfishers on dating apps, and the stress of it all may make the victims more willing to believe them https://www.insider.com/catfishing-on-the-rise-because-of-covid-19-quarantines-2020-4 </ref>. Due to social distancing and the largely remote nature of most interactions during the pandemic, the prospect of eventually having to meet up with someone they were communicating with online was not as much of a factor in deterring potential catfishers. <ref name='corona' /> That, along with the added stressors that quarantine, isolation, and fear of catching the virus bought on, people could be more susceptible to being a target of catfishing <ref name='corona' />. According to a poll from the American Psychiatric Association released in October 2020, 62% of Americans reported feeling anxious, roughly a 30% uptick from the same poll conducted at the same time the year prior. <ref> American Psychiatric Association (Oct 21, 2020) New APA Poll Shows Surge in Anxiety Among Americans Top Causes Are Safety, COVID-19, Health, Gun Violence, and the Upcoming Election https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/anxiety-poll-2020 </ref>
  
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==

Revision as of 20:29, 1 April 2021

The male on the left is under the impression he is in communication with the lady he pictures in this thought bubble, but he is actually getting catfished by a catfish.[1]

Catfishing refers to an action performed by someone that uses another person’s online identity as their own. These actions target other individuals, often causing harm and always feeding on deception. Some of the reasons one may be inclined to use a false online identity include but are not limited to low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, seeking revenge, monetary gain, exploring sexuality, and seeking out harassment.[2] Although the concept of catfishing has long been a part of society, the term itself wasn't coined until 2010, when Nev Schulman released the film Catfish about his own experience being catfished. Schulman's experienced revolved around his relationship with a woman he met online and how he discovered that she was not in fact the person she identified herself as. Following its release, many people who had similar stories to Schulman seemed to identify with the film; this inspired Schulman to create a TV Show to share those stories.

Demographics

Catfishing can impact in certain communities more than others, whether this be in relation to race, gender, or sexual orientation. Additionally, some specific communities have relatively higher rates of catfishing than others.[3]

As of 2021, Alaska has been identified as the state with the most catfishing reports.[4] Right behind Alaska, Nevada, and Wisconsin (the most dangerous scamming state[5]) are also recognized catfishing hotspots. On the contrary, states with relatively few instances of catfishing include Vermont, South Dakota, and Montana. When people report cases of catfishing where scams are involved, individual states calculate the amount lost and keep a running total of those values over the course of each year.

Branded, a data collection website, conducted their own research with their community members to determine how many of them had engaged in the act of catfishing. Their results showed that from a sample of size 16,827, about 1 in 5 people have impersonated someone else online to gain favor with others. [6] From those same results, 25% of the men who participated in the poll admitted to catfishing versus 18% of the women. Branded's results also reveal that, in relation to race and ethnicity, 28% of people who identify as Asian, 23% of people who identify as Hispanic, and 20% of people who identify as African American use a social media identity that is not their own. [7]

Catfish: TV Show started in 2012 [8]

In The Media

Catfish: The TV Show

The TV show Catfish stemmed from Nev Schulman's movie about his experience and relationship with a woman, "Angela," who falsified her online identity and in fact, turned out to be a married woman. Schulman is credited with coining the word "catfish," invented following a conversation with "Angela" and her husband. In that conversation, "Angela's" husband mentioned that codfish, when transported from Alaska to China, would often arrive tasteless, so he used catfish instead to ensure that the fish would remain nimble and arrive ready to eat. The catfish "keep you guessing, they keep you thinking, they keep you fresh. And I thank god for the catfish because we would be droll, boring and dull if we didn’t have somebody nipping at our fin." [9]

Using his own movie as inspiration, Schulman created Catfish: The TV Show to share the stories of people who experienced similar situations to his own. Schulman was joined by Max Joseph, and the two went on to co-host seven seasons of Catfish together, traveling across the nation to discover whether someone’s lover was who they claimed to be or an impersonator. The show is currently on its eighth season with Schulman and Kamie Crawford as co-hosts. [10]

On the show, Schulman and his team help individuals who suspect they're being catfished but lack certainty in their suspicions. Using his resources, Shulman researches the supposed catfisher and works with the show's guest to discover this person's true identity.

Catfishing on Dating/Networking Platforms

With the rise of online dating and social networking platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr, catfishers are in an optimal position to form relationships with others while using fake identities. The nature of these online platforms allows for virtually anybody to make a free account and to assume an identity other than their own with the intent of making themselves look more appealing to other users. Often, the safeguards in the account creation process are insufficient for these applications to ensure that someone isn't engaging in catfishing and/or using someone else’s photos or other personal information. The account creation process for these platforms is often as simple as entering an email address, name, age, and phone number, and from that point onwards, the user is given the benefit of the doubt. [11]

A depiction of how to use Tinder's Photo Verification feature [12]

One attempt at safeguarding against catfishing and spam is Tinder’s Photo Verification feature, which was introduced in early 2020. This is an opt-in feature, and the way it works is that Tinder will prompt users to take a series of selfies for which they will need to assume certain poses. The selfies will then undergo a manual and automated review. If a user passes this review, they will receive a blue checkmark on their profile for other users to see. [13] Bumble, another forum for online dating, has a similar offering on its platform. [14] [15] While there are no concrete sources focusing on this feature and the reduction of catfishing, the photo verification feature allows for reasonable affirmation that someone on Tinder is who they claim to be.

To Catch a Predator

In 2004, NBC launched a new show called To Catch a Predator hosted by Chris Hansen. To Catch a Predator was an American reality tv program that focused on catfishing predators into thinking they were talking to underage teen girls online. When a predator and an assumed minor planned to meet up, a sting operation was conducted and the predator was ultimately arrested. [16] The show teamed up with the Perverted Justice Foundation - an organization fighting to combat pedophilia via online chat rooms. Adult members of the Perverted Justice Foundation often join chat rooms while acting as minors and work with law enforcement to find pedophiles. [17]

Types of Catfishers

Within the realm of catfishing, there are various types of catfishes. Each one has different motives and agendas when they’re meeting an individual online.

Cyberbullies

Cyberbullying is often widespread amongst teenagers and even adults. Cyberbullies will create fake profiles online to share and spread information about a person they may or may not know. Their aim is to hurt, intimidate or harass the individual they’re targeting. [18]. Bullying has always been prevalent within society, but the introduction of technology has heightened this prevalence and allowed bullying to occur on a larger scale. Depending on the offense, cyberbullies may face legal ramifications. [19]

Revenge

Those who feel jealousy or anger towards another individual may use catfishing as means to “get back” at or “get revenge” on those who have wronged them. These catfishers will often create fake accounts and post pictures of their target without consent. This is typically intended to harm the target's reputation or to embarrass them. These catfishers can also use the accounts they create to lure and seduce their target, which can result in emotional damage for the target. [20]

Insecurities

Some individuals may lack confidence in themselves when it comes to real life, and so they use the internet to gain the attention and recognition they may not receive otherwise. These catfishers may embody someone they wish to be instead of who they really are, all in the hopes of gaining the connections and respect they could potentially miss out on if they stuck to their true identities. In turn, this form of catfishing can help users' self-esteem and give them a glimpse into a life they may desire but lack the ability to create with their own reality. [21]

Ethical Concerns

With the wide variety of social media applications that currently exist, people have a plethora of opportunities to interact with others however they choose. This brings about the possibility for one to interact with someone on one of these applications whose online presence is not their true self. In certain capacities, impersonating a professional can be illegal. [22]

As catfishers take to online spaces looking for partners or friends, their actions often exploit other people’s anxieties, self-confidence (or lack thereof), and optimism. [23] In early to mid-2020, as travel and gathering restrictions were enacted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, attention was once again brought to the topic of catfishing [24]. Due to social distancing and the largely remote nature of most interactions during the pandemic, the prospect of eventually having to meet up with someone they were communicating with online was not as much of a factor in deterring potential catfishers. [24] That, along with the added stressors that quarantine, isolation, and fear of catching the virus bought on, people could be more susceptible to being a target of catfishing [24]. According to a poll from the American Psychiatric Association released in October 2020, 62% of Americans reported feeling anxious, roughly a 30% uptick from the same poll conducted at the same time the year prior. [25]

See Also

References

  1. Craddock,B.(2013, February 08)."Something's Fishy: Safety concerns come hand-in-hand with online dating".The Flare Online.https://theflareonline.com/2013/02/somethings-fishy-safety-concerns-come-hand-in-hand-with-online-dating/
  2. Brennan MD,D.(2020, December 03)."Signs of Catfishing". WebMD.https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/signs-catfishing
  3. (2017, January 10)."Abuse Using Technology". Women's Law.https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/forms-abuse/technology-abuse/technology-tool-abuse/impersonation
  4. Grant,A."States with the Highest Catfishing Rates". https://bestvpn.org/catfishing-statistics/
  5. Nyman,S.(2019, June 06)."Suckers for love? Report shows Wisconsin among top states for romance scams".Post Crescent.https://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2019/06/06/catfishing-statistics-wisconsin-ranks-no-3-romance-scams/1365159001/
  6. Miles,K.(2019, May 15)."Men Are More Likely Than Women To Catfish".Branded.https://gobranded.com/men-likely-women-catfish
  7. Miles,K.(2019, May 15)."Men Are More Likely Than Women To Catfish".Branded.https://gobranded.com/men-likely-women-catfish
  8. Buckman,C.(2018, January 22)."'Catfish: The TV Show' makes casting stop at SDSU".The Daily Aztec.https://thedailyaztec.com/87229/artsandculture/catfish-the-tv-show-makes-casting-stop-at-sdsu/#
  9. Harris,A.(2013, January 18)."Who Coined the Term “Catfish”?".Slate.https://slate.com/culture/2013/01/catfish-meaning-and-definition-term-for-online-hoaxes-has-a-surprisingly-long-history.html
  10. "(2012)."Catfish: The TV Show".MTV. https://www.mtv.com/shows/catfish-the-tv-show/3wergr/season-6
  11. Tinder: A Guide To Tinder: Signing Up and Getting Started: How do I create a Tinder account? https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003356706-How-do-I-create-a-Tinder-account-
  12. Tinder Photo Verification https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/article_attachments/360041006931/DFunyL2B.png
  13. Tinder: What is Photo Verification? https://www.help.tinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034941812-What-is-Photo-Verification-
  14. Carman, A. (2020, Jan 23) The Verge: Tinder will give you a verified blue checkmark if you pass its catfishing test. https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/23/21077423/tinder-photo-verification-blue-checkmark-safety-center-launch-noonlight
  15. Bumble Photo Verification - KISS CATFISH GOODBYE https://bumble.com/the-buzz/the-end-of-catfishing-introducing-photo-verification
  16. ‌Hansen, Chris. (2006, September 13). They’re Still Showing Up. ‘’NBC News’’ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14824427
  17. ‌Perverted Justice Foundation. Frequently Asked Questions. http://www.perverted-justice.com/index.php?pg=faq#cat1
  18. ‌Lohmann, Raychelle. (2013, April 30). The Two Sided Face of Teen Catfishing. ‘’Psychology Today’’ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/201304/the-two-sided-face-teen-catfishing
  19. ‌Kaylor Law Group. (2018, November 15). What Are the Penalties for Cyberbullying?. ‘’Kaylor Law Group’’ https://www.kaylorlaw.com/blog/2018/11/what-are-the-penalties-for-cyberbullying/
  20. ‌The Cybersmile Foundation. (2020). Catfishing. ‘’The Cybersmile Foundation’’ https://www.cybersmile.org/what-we-do/advice-help/catfishing/
  21. ‌Whigham, Nick. (2018, July 27). ‘It’s Hard to Stop the Addition’: The Reasons Why People Become Catfish. ‘’News.com.au’’ https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/its-hard-to-stop-the-addiction-the-reasons-why-people-become-catfish/news-story/9259328a281c24d4d6f6593750c71320
  22. (2012, August 17)."Online impersonation laws".Reputation Defender.https://www.reputationdefender.com/blog/privacy/online-impersonation-laws
  23. The Cybersmile Foundation - Catfishing https://www.cybersmile.org/what-we-do/advice-help/catfishing
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Lopez, C. (2020, Apr 26) Insider - Coronavirus lockdowns create fertile ground for catfishers on dating apps, and the stress of it all may make the victims more willing to believe them https://www.insider.com/catfishing-on-the-rise-because-of-covid-19-quarantines-2020-4
  25. American Psychiatric Association (Oct 21, 2020) New APA Poll Shows Surge in Anxiety Among Americans Top Causes Are Safety, COVID-19, Health, Gun Violence, and the Upcoming Election https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/anxiety-poll-2020