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Teenager's life 'ruined' by Live.me and Twitter 'trolls' | Teenager's life 'ruined' by Live.me and Twitter 'trolls' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A teenager claims internet trolls "ruined her life" by superimposing her face on pornographic messages that were shared on social media. | |
Victoria, from Leeds, was told to "go kill yourself" on the Live.me streaming app and her home address was shared on Twitter as a "house to burgle". | Victoria, from Leeds, was told to "go kill yourself" on the Live.me streaming app and her home address was shared on Twitter as a "house to burgle". |
Figures obtained by BBC Yorkshire show reports of malicious communication have almost doubled to more than 200 a day. | |
There were 79,372 offences recorded in 2016, up from 42,910 the year before. | There were 79,372 offences recorded in 2016, up from 42,910 the year before. |
Police forces in England and Wales were asked to provide the data, with 38 out of 43 responding. | Police forces in England and Wales were asked to provide the data, with 38 out of 43 responding. |
'Tip of the iceberg' | 'Tip of the iceberg' |
Victoria, 18, had open profiles on Live.me, Twitter and Instagram, where she had thousands of followers. | Victoria, 18, had open profiles on Live.me, Twitter and Instagram, where she had thousands of followers. |
She said she was sent pornographic images that featured her face and had photographs of her house shared online, while another message to her simply said "die". | She said she was sent pornographic images that featured her face and had photographs of her house shared online, while another message to her simply said "die". |
"I'm on anxiety tablets now. It's knocked my confidence. I don't even go out of the house that much," she said. | "I'm on anxiety tablets now. It's knocked my confidence. I don't even go out of the house that much," she said. |
"There's still that thought in the back of my mind, where you never know if they are going to be there while you are out. | "There's still that thought in the back of my mind, where you never know if they are going to be there while you are out. |
"At the end of the day, this has legit just ruined my life. I used to be an outgoing person. I'm just trying to get back to my old self." | "At the end of the day, this has legit just ruined my life. I used to be an outgoing person. I'm just trying to get back to my old self." |
What is Live.Me? | |
Victoria went to the police about the malicious communication - defined as sending a letter or electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety - but no arrests were made. | Victoria went to the police about the malicious communication - defined as sending a letter or electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety - but no arrests were made. |
She said: "Sometimes I feel like it's my fault. But it's easier for people to get targeted because they're putting themselves out there on the internet, which I thought was just fun, to make new friends. | She said: "Sometimes I feel like it's my fault. But it's easier for people to get targeted because they're putting themselves out there on the internet, which I thought was just fun, to make new friends. |
"I never thought it would turn out like this." | "I never thought it would turn out like this." |
Supt Mat Davison said West Yorkshire Police was investigating Victoria's case and new lines of inquiry would be acted on. | Supt Mat Davison said West Yorkshire Police was investigating Victoria's case and new lines of inquiry would be acted on. |
"Officers have been in regular contact with the victim and members of her family and provided them with updates on the progress of the investigation," he added. | "Officers have been in regular contact with the victim and members of her family and provided them with updates on the progress of the investigation," he added. |
The Times recently reported nine people are arrested each day for posting offensive material online, sparking criticism from human rights groups about "over-policing" of the internet. | The Times recently reported nine people are arrested each day for posting offensive material online, sparking criticism from human rights groups about "over-policing" of the internet. |
However, Essex Police Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said the rise in malicious communication was "the tip of the iceberg". | |
The chairman of the Digital Policing Board, which deals with digital crime nationally, said social network providers should do more to protect online users. | The chairman of the Digital Policing Board, which deals with digital crime nationally, said social network providers should do more to protect online users. |
"I think as policing and society changes in to the digital age this is only going to increase," Mr Kavanagh said. | "I think as policing and society changes in to the digital age this is only going to increase," Mr Kavanagh said. |
"Providers, government, law enforcers and users all need to get ready how we protect people more effectively, and how we bring criminals to justice." | "Providers, government, law enforcers and users all need to get ready how we protect people more effectively, and how we bring criminals to justice." |
Dr Michelle Newberry, senior lecturer in forensic psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, said there was a correlation between how much we use social media and the increase in trolling. | Dr Michelle Newberry, senior lecturer in forensic psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, said there was a correlation between how much we use social media and the increase in trolling. |
She said: "It is very unusual for people not to have their phone with them. We just have that instant access these days." | She said: "It is very unusual for people not to have their phone with them. We just have that instant access these days." |
Twitter previously said it plans to impose new restrictions on pornographic and hateful imagery to tackle abuse. | Twitter previously said it plans to impose new restrictions on pornographic and hateful imagery to tackle abuse. |
A spokesperson for Live.me said: "Our goal at Live.me is to create a safe and friendly environment for all of our users which is why it's always heartbreaking to hear stories of users being harassed or bullied. | |
"We have strict protocols for our moderators to address any community violations, and our automatic software detection and human moderators are on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, working to combat cyber-bullying, indecent behaviour, or threats of self-harm." | |
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