VIDEO: Recent Crimes Being Streamed Live on Social Media

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- This isn’t the first time a crime has been broadcasted over social media.

Live streams, like the one I’m working on right now, are traditionally used for joyous occasions. Whether it be gender reveal parties, birthday parties, or other celebrations. However, some criminals are using it to publish their crimes on the internet, where massive viewers are taking place.

Steve Stephens isn’t the first to broadcast his crime on social media.

“There’s nothing that Facebook can do ahead of time because the technology doesn’t really exist to scan content and see what’s in it ahead of time. Somebody has to actually watch it and report it and say, ‘oh that’s bad’ and then Facebook has to go, ‘Oh, ok, let’s remove it’,” says communications professor Dr. Barry Smith.

Smith says, competition between different social media companies raises the risk for consequences.

“Every platform does want to be the first to market. And be like, hey we’ve got this new thing you can do,” says Smith.

Unfortunately, some people abuse it.

“Nobody that owns a company wants to see a headline or a news story on TV about their platform was just used for this horrible thing,” says Smith.

But Smith says these recent events are eye opening.

“I think it is making a lot of people outside of the companies think about the technology and how they’re using it and you know, whether this is good for society,” says Smith.

Police Chief Ronnie Bowen says criminals thrive off the attention and “re-posts”.

“It’s a media outlet, they’re being their own production crew. You know, their claim to fame is trying to get that, you know, act of criminality out, that’s their little snid-bit of fame. You know they’re broadcasting to millions upon millions and that’s captured and re-broadcasted,” says Bowen.

Do you see there being restrictions on social media in the future?

“You know, that’s a good question. The first amendment is a very strong constitutional right, and you know we operate under that every day, so you know what restrictions can you put?” says Bowen.

He says, “Where this will lead is a slippery slope.”

If you ever see a criminal act posted to social media, you’re asked to contact your local law enforcement immediately.