Consequences of Harmful Online Behaviour
Poor online behaviour, when prolonged and unchecked, is extremely likely to result in crossing a legal line. This could include a wide variety of criminal offences concerning, for example, cyber bullying and harassment, revenge porn, indecent images of children, online grooming and extreme pornography. The direct legal consequences can be arrest, prosecution, remand, imprisonment, a life-long criminal record, travel bans, fines, sex offender registration, community orders, sexual harm prevention orders, probation/rehabilitation activities and court-imposed restrictions that can seriously reduce opportunities and quality of life (ex: restrictions on using the internet, overseas travel, living within a certain distance from a school, contact with children, etc.). It is important to recognise that online offences will also have a lifelong impact on all aspects of life, for those who are prosecuted. These are covered in some detail below.
Family and Relationships
Trust within families is shattered. Partners/spouses and children experience betrayal and emotional distress. In some cases, families may break up, access to/custody of children may be lost and the ability to become a parent in future through adoption or fostering will be compromised.
Social Life
Friendships and social circles can crumble. Media interest, public shaming, social media exposure, and legal proceedings can lead to isolation, ostracisation and public humiliation. This can be particularly devastating, as humans are social creatures and require connection.
Work
Employment will be suspended upon arrest, and terminated upon conviction for those whose jobs involve working with children or vulnerable adults, or requires a clean criminal record. Employers may also terminate employment upon discovery of online offenses. Even if not fired, career advancement can be stalled, and the work environment can become hostile. As an employee, they will struggle with concentration, productivity, and maintaining professional relationships. Future career prospects may be hindered by the need for criminal record checks or the need to disclose unspent criminal convictions.
Financial Impact
Legal fees, fines, loss of assets due to separation or divorce, potential job loss, and difficulty finding new employment can create significant financial strain.
Physical Health
The stress of the situation can manifest physically. Sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, digestive issues and even weakened immune systems are common.
Emotional Impact
Shame, guilt, anxiety, and depression are prevalent emotions. The fear of exposure and the weight of the consequences can be overwhelming.
Sexual Impact
Addiction to the cycle of seeking gratification online can damage healthy sexual relationships with spouses and partners, causing sexual dysfunctions, and struggles with intimacy.
Online sexual offending doesn’t just affect the individual committing the offence; its ripples extend to their family. Spouses, children, and close friends may also experience emotional distress, strain on their own relationships, and difficulty coping with the aftermath of the offense. They may be subject to most of the consequences highlighted above.
Reflect on the possible consequences to you and your family, should your harmful online behaviour escalate to the level of criminal offenses. What would be the impact on yours and your family’s:
1. Family and relationships?
2. Social life?
3. Work?
5. Physical health?
6. Emotional wellbeing?
7. Sexual health?
9. Personal growth?
Exercise 2
Reflect on what you think are the costs and gains of engaging in harmful online behaviour, both in the short term and the long term.
Costs
The negative consequences of engaging in harmful online behaviour, i.e. what I lost.
Gains
What I got from engaging in harmful online behaviour.
Short Term
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Long Term
Fill in
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