TO CATCH A PREDATOR

To Catch a Predator is a reality TV show featuring a series of hidden camera investigations by the Dateline NBC together with a watchdog group, which is devoted to the subject of identifying and detaining those who contact people they believe to be below the age of consent over the Internet for sexual liaisons.

The way it works is that Perverted-Justice (the online watchdog group) volunteers build profiles of clearly underage individuals on social networking websites, and enter chatrooms as decoys. They then set up adults to message or email the decoy and begin a dialogue. If the conversation turns sexual in nature (the content in question preferably initiated by the adult), Perverted-Justice collects incriminating evidence against the alleged offender –pornography, the chat messages, etc. The predator is then led to believe that the “minor” is home alone at which point the predator and the “minor” agree to meet in the alleged minor’s house, with the predator seeking sexual activity from the decoy. Soon after meeting the decoy, they are confronted by Hansen (the show’s host) and are questioned about their intentions. Hansen then reveals that this is an undercover show, and the Dateline crew members with large cameras and microphones reveal themselves, and the person is offered a chance to make a final statement before being asked to leave. In certain states, police officers are waiting outside the house to make an arrest.

This is a classic example of how the internet has changed the way criminals conduct their activities. Instead of lurking around in playgrounds and offering candy to entice children to come with them, these predators lurk in internet chatrooms, befriend minors, and eventually take advantage of them. Technology is providing offenders with plenty of means for accomplishing their crimes. But on a positive note, technology is also providing law enforcement officials a new way of catching criminals. In the case of To Catch a Predator, the watchdog group met them on their turf and brought them to justice. Law enforcement measures or methods should also be a function of technology.

Katrina Sy, 9^th Blog Entry