The Dark Net Summary

The internet may seem like a vast, neutral network connecting the world, but hidden in its depths lies a darker reality: a shadowed space where humanity’s worst impulses thrive unchecked.

1. Trolls and Online Harassment: A New Wave of Bullying

Trolling has transformed online platforms into battlegrounds, where individuals provoke others with offensive commentary often just for fun. Unlike traditional bullying, trolling relies on anonymity and the removal of face-to-face consequences, giving power to the aggressor while leaving the victim feeling helpless.

This form of online harassment isn't exclusive to everyday people; it disproportionately targets public figures who champion societal change. Activists like Caroline Criado-Perez, who fought for Jane Austen to feature on British banknotes, faced a barrage of threats, including rape and murder. This forced her into hiding as the authorities grappled with arresting the culprits. Trolls often act without considering the real-world damage they cause.

Despite its malicious side, trolling occasionally veers into the mischievous, motivated more by entertainment than outright harm. Zach, a known troll, infiltrated a conservative forum to provoke reactions by posting absurd messages and crude images solely for amusement. These scenarios highlight the blurred lines between online humor and toxic behavior.

Examples

• Caroline Criado-Perez receiving thousands of violent threats on Twitter.
• The notable increase in online behavior-related convictions in England and Wales from 498 in 2007 to 1,423 in 2012.
• Zach’s antics involving literary quotes and crude pictures aimed at provoking conservatives online.

2. Extremism Amplified: The Web as a Breeding Ground for Hate

The internet enables extremists, offering them platforms to amplify hateful ideologies and connect in secret circles. While public scrutiny may silence these voices elsewhere, platforms like social media and forums provide them with an unchecked megaphone.

Far-right groups like the British National Party or neo-Nazi factions are growing their online presence. Some use cryptic symbolism in usernames (e.g., "1488") to signal their allegiance to white supremacist ideas. These platforms work as echo chambers, amplifying extremist views that would be socially unacceptable offline.

Individuals can also be radicalized and motivated into violence online. Anders Behring Breivik, responsible for the 2011 Norway attacks, absorbed and spread his extremist ideologies on the web. His 1,516-page manifesto, "2083," still circulates, inspiring potential lone attackers and proving how internet forums can serve as training grounds for devastating violence.

Examples

• The British National Party outpaced mainstream party sites in online traffic rankings.
• Neo-Nazi groups using symbols like "14" and "88" in usernames linked to their ideologies.
• Breivik’s internet activity and manifesto influencing his mass shooting at Utøya.

3. From Legal to Underground: How Pornography Paths Spiral Downwards

Legal adult entertainment websites can inadvertently lead users to darker, illegal corners of the internet. Advertisements and links on these sites often push users deeper into a rabbit hole containing increasingly exploitative or illegal material.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation estimates that nine in ten individuals who accessed illegal sites claimed they did so unintentionally. However, the fine line between accidental exposure and willful indulgence makes it difficult to determine accountability. Some people stumble into illegal content, while others progress there after becoming desensitized to more mainstream adult content.

Pornography’s accessibility and anonymity can also exacerbate harmful tendencies. A man named "Michael" began by watching legal content but evolved into viewing child pornography. This troubling shift highlights how desire, coupled with the forbidden nature of certain content, fuels further ethical breaches.

Examples

• Malware and viruses falsely warning viewers of intercepted activity on adult sites.
• Research showing links between legal porn sites and child pornography pop-ups.
• "Michael’s" account of transitioning from conventional to illegal material.

4. Communities That Promote Self-Harm

Depression and loneliness drive people to search for solace online, but certain corners of the internet can reinforce self-destructive behaviors rather than improve mental well-being.

Pro-suicide groups, like the alt.suicide.holiday forum created in 1991, offer "support" by discussing suicidal ideation and techniques. While some participants found such spaces cathartic, many fear they encourage dangerous ideas. Gerard, a forum member, shared how the group kept him alive, as it was the only place where he felt heard.

Similar dangers exist with the rise of pro-anorexia websites (pro-ana). Adolescents like Amelia found dangerous encouragement to pursue extreme weight-loss goals at the cost of their physical health. These communities reframe eating disorders as a lifestyle rather than a mental health challenge, contributing to serious consequences.

Examples

• alt.suicide.holiday providing conversation about methods of committing suicide.
• Gerard crediting the forum for saving his life when no one else would listen.
• EU research revealing that at least 10% of young teens have visited pro-ana websites.

5. The Internet’s Underground Drug Markets

The digital world made even illegal drug trafficking more accessible and efficient. Websites like Silk Road revolutionized the way substances were bought and sold by utilizing encryption and anonymity.

Silk Road, accessible only through the Tor browser, functioned as a marketplace for drugs and contraband. Transactions were conducted using Bitcoin, ensuring a relatively untraceable process. The site also reassured users through vendor reviews and transparent ratings. Buyers and sellers operated with professional methods to avoid detection.

Despite law enforcement's efforts, including the arrest of Silk Road’s founder Ross Ulbricht, a second iteration quickly reemerged. The continuing evolution of such sites demonstrates the adaptability of online crime networks to remain operable.

Examples

• Silk Road facilitated transactions for over 150,000 users globally by 2013.
• The FBI purchasing drugs for two years to infiltrate Silk Road’s covert system.
• Silk Road 2.0 up and running merely weeks after the original shutdown.

6. A New Era for Pornstars: Webcams Redefine the Industry

Anyone equipped with a webcam and confidence can now enter the world of pornography. Sites like Chaturbate allow performers to broadcast shows from home and earn money instantaneously from their audience.

Unlike the professional adult entertainment industry, where performers are vetted for specific looks, webcam performers attract audiences because of their everyday authenticity. Viewers are often drawn to cam models due to their relatability and cultural variety rather than polished appearances.

As these platforms thrive, they’ve reshaped the financial landscape of the porn industry. Camming has become a billion-dollar market and is responsible for taking a significant portion of traditional pornography’s audience.

Examples

• Chaturbate hosting over 600 live, amateur participants daily.
• Cam models earning a significant portion of their income from viewer tips within minimized hours.
• A report indicating camming as responsible for almost 20% of the professional porn industry’s decline.

7. Digital Currencies: Decentralization and Freedom

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were born online, offering an independent monetary system free from traditional financial intermediaries. These systems rely on blockchain technology, ensuring secure transactions without duplicating or centralizing funds.

Bitcoin evolved from earlier experiments like DigiCash, though its decentralized ledger model resolved vulnerabilities of previous digital currencies. By distributing transaction records across all users, Bitcoin created an incorruptible chain of data that governments and banks cannot interfere with.

Such innovation intrigued supporters of decentralization but has also been a tool for black-market activities. The untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions appeals to those desiring full autonomy, regardless of intent.

Examples

• David Chaum’s DigiCash experimenting with early digital currencies in the 1990s.
• Satoshi Nakamoto’s blockchain innovation creating transaction security in 2008.
• Bitcoin transactions fueling underground markets such as Silk Road.

Takeaways

1. Familiarize yourself with coding. Understanding blockchain, encryption, and digital security can help you protect your data and even assist in combating online threats.
2. Be cautious about your digital footprint. Clicking links or anonymous browsing may inadvertently lead you to harmful sites.
3. Advocate for better regulation and ethical discourse online to balance freedom of expression with accountability for harmful content.