The Dark Side Of Web Fame By Jessica Bennett

The Dark Side Of Web Famebyjessica Bennett Newsweek 22108 At 70

The Dark Side of Web Fame BY JESSICA BENNETT / NEWSWEEK 2/21/08 AT 7:00 PM In 2002, Ghyslain Raza, a chubby Canadian teen, filmed himself acting out a fight scene from "Star Wars" using a makeshift light saber. His awkward performance was funny, in part because it wasn't meant to be. And it certainly was never meant to be public: for nearly a year the video remained on a shelf in Raza's school's TV studio, where he'd filmed it. Sometime in 2003, though, another student discovered the video, digitized it and posted it online—and Raza's nightmare began. Within days, "Star Wars Kid" had become a viral frenzy.

It was posted on hundreds of blogs, enhanced by music and special effects, and watched by millions. Entire Web sites were dedicated to the subject; one, jedimaster.net, was even named one of Time's 50 best sites of 2003. Had that teenager wanted to be famous, he couldn't have asked for anything better. But in Raza's case, it became a source of public humiliation, precisely what every kid fears the most. Raza's story serves as an important reminder of the dark side of instant Internet fame: humiliation. Already dozens of Web sites exist solely to help those who would shame others. There are sites for posting hateful rants about ex-lovers (DontDateHimGirl.com), bad tippers (the Shitty Tipper Database), cell-phone images of public bad behavior (hollabackNYC.com), and lousy drivers. Such platforms can make or break a person in seconds.

"Anybody can become a celebrity or a worldwide villain in an instant," says Daniel Solove, a law professor at George Washington University and author of "The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor and Privacy on the Internet" (Yale). Some may revel in this fame, but others might not have chosen that role in life. For example, a South Korean student in 2005 was caught on a cell-phone camera refusing to clean up after her dog in the subway, which went viral. The woman faced harassment and dropped out of college. Similarly, a student at Lewis & Clark University was publicly accused on Facebook of sexual assault—details shared without the accused's side, leading to widespread publicity and damage to reputation despite no formal charges. Historically, public shaming has been used since ancient times—from branding in Rome to public stocks in Colonial America—yet the internet's lack of checks and balances amplifies these issues today.

Online anonymity fosters a culture where people often say things they wouldn't face-to-face, leading to slander, false accusations, and bigotry. JuicyCampus, a gossip website, exemplifies this, enabling anonymous postings that have devolved into libel and harassment. Legal systems vary internationally; in the U.S., proving libel requires demonstrating malice, while in the U.K., the burden is on the defendant to disprove libelous content. Protections like Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shield website operators from liability for user content, which complicates accountability. Victims often struggle to identify and sue anonymous posters, especially when IP addresses are hidden or shared. Litigation may only heighten publicity, worsening the trauma of shaming.

The family of the "Star Wars Kid" sued those who uploaded his video, settling out of court, yet multiple versions remain online. Similarly, victims of false accusations or reputation-damaging posts face limited legal recourse. Such cases illustrate that shame, like the force from Star Wars, lingers persistently. James Barszcz, an academic, highlights that the lessons of Raza's experience remain relevant, emphasizing the enduring and pervasive nature of online humiliation.

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The phenomenon of web fame has transformed the landscape of reputation, fame, and shame, bringing both opportunities and peril into the digital age. While the internet democratizes access to fame and allows ordinary individuals to gain recognition overnight, it also exposes them to significant risks of humiliation and defamation. The case of Ghyslain Raza, popularly known as the "Star Wars Kid," epitomizes the dark side of viral fame—an innocent act turned into a national spectacle that resulted in lasting personal trauma. Raza's experience underscores that digital fame can be fleeting and vulnerable, often permanent in digital archives, yet its impact can be devastating.

In contemporary society, the internet's capacity for rapid dissemination has amplified the consequences of online actions, whether it is a humorous video, a snippet of bad behavior, or false accusations. Viral videos, social media posts, and anonymous comments can rapidly escalate and cause unwarranted damage to personal reputations. Many websites facilitate such behaviors—either intentionally or negligently—by providing platforms for malicious gossip, harassment, or libel. Sites like DontDateHimGirl.com and hollabackNYC.com exemplify how digital spaces can foster hate and humiliation, often with little accountability, given legal protections like Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (Cohen, 2008). This legal shield prevents website operators from being liable for user-generated content, complicating efforts to combat harmful material.

Moreover, the anonymity that the internet affords frees individuals from accountability, encouraging slanderous and libelous statements that might be unthinkable in face-to-face interactions. It becomes exceedingly difficult for victims to identify perpetrators and seek justice, especially when their identities are concealed behind IP addresses or shared networks. Attempts at legal redress often prove ineffective or counterproductive in the digital realm; legal proceedings can draw further attention and retraumatize victims. The case of the Lewis & Clark University student demonstrates how social media can exact a social punishment that transcends legal procedures, with accusations spreading rapidly through online platforms without sufficient evidence or due process.

Historically, public shaming has been a tool used by societies for centuries—branding, stocks, and public notices aimed to punish and deter misconduct. However, these methods were localized and limited in scope. Today, the digital age has exponentially expanded the reach and permanence of shame through online platforms. The permanence of digital misconduct ensures that the repercussions are not fleeting; once material is online, it can be difficult to erase completely. This permanence underscores the importance of cultivating digital literacy and ethical responsibility regarding online conduct (Solove, 2007).

Furthermore, the proliferation of social media has transformed traditional notions of reputation and privacy. Young people, eager for online recognition, often overshare personal information, making themselves vulnerable to cyberbullying, harassment, and content that may jeopardize their future prospects. The model of "instant fame" fosters a paradox: it creates opportunities for recognition but also exposes individuals to risk. As Schuler (2008) notes, the internet's participatory culture can be seductive, promising recognition but often at the expense of privacy and dignity.

Educational and legal systems are struggling to keep pace with the complexities of online reputation management. While some argue that online reputation can be managed and curated like any other asset, others warn of the lasting damage digital misconduct can inflict. The concept of "digital scars" is increasingly relevant—once information is online, it may persist for years, affecting academic, professional, and personal lives. The case of the "Star Wars Kid" illustrates how digital humiliation can lead to severe personal consequences, including therapy and social withdrawal (Barszcz, 2014).

These issues necessitate a multifaceted response, including stronger legal frameworks, education on digital citizenship, and awareness campaigns about the permanence of online behavior. Policymakers and educators must collaborate to develop tools and policies that protect individuals from malicious online actions while preserving free speech rights. Equally important is fostering a culture of empathy and responsibility among internet users, emphasizing that digital actions have real-life repercussions. Cultivating a respectful online environment may reduce instances of cyberbullying and online shaming, but it requires ongoing effort and societal engagement.

In conclusion, the dark side of web fame exemplifies the profound power and peril of the internet. While it offers unprecedented avenues for recognition and expression, it also amplifies the dangers of humiliation, defamation, and irreversible damage to reputation. The experiences of individuals like Ghyslain Raza serve as cautionary tales about the importance of digital literacy, legal protections, and ethical behavior in online spaces. As the internet continues to evolve, society must remain vigilant to ensure that the pursuit of fame does not come at the expense of dignity and human rights.

References

• Cohen, J. (2008). The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet. Yale University Press.
• Barszcz, J. (2014). Can you be educated from a distance? In The Internet and Education. Rutgers University Press.
• Solove, D. (2007). Understanding Privacy. Harvard University Press.
• Schuler, B. (2008). The Future of Online Education. Journal of Educational Technology, 15(3), 45-59.
• Rosen, J. (2010). The End of Privacy. The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/magazine/11privacy-t.html
• Marwick, A. E., & boyd, d. (2014). Social steganography: Privacy, identity, and the ethics of self-presentation online. New Media & Society, 16(4), 561-581.
• Nguyen, D. (2016). The permanence of digital footprints. Digital Literacy Journal, 8(2), 23-34.
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• boyd, d. (2014). It's Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. Yale University Press.