The Dangers of
Documenting Illegal Activities with Online Video Websites
Each day, a large number of
individual make an online video. Online videos, in most cases, are
displayed on online video websites. While online videos are
fun to make and share with others, there are a number of things
that you should be concerned about. One of those things is
the use of illegal activities in your online videos.
As previously mentioned, online
videos are most commonly hosted on online video websites. Online
video websites are websites that allow internet users to view
videos or make and upload their own. In most cases, this is
done free of charge. A number of popular online video websites,
such as Google Video and YouTube, have restrictions in place.
Those restrictions often prohibit the use of certain video
material. While a large number of video sites do have
restrictions, not all do. Even though you may be able to
make a movie of whatever you want and post it, it doesn’t
necessarily mean that you should.
It is becoming popular to document
your “bad,” side online. There are many individuals,
especially high school students and college students, who are
trying to impress others. Unfortunately, this often results in the
documentation of dangerous or illegal activities. While you
may think that it is harmless to post a small video of you and
your friends getting into a fight, vandalizing something, or using
drugs or alcohol, there are a number of ramifications, many of
which you probably never even thought about.
When documenting the use of drugs,
underage drinking, vandalism, or anything else that is considered
illegal, it is important to remember that you are committing a
crime. Most police departments will not scour the internet
in search of online photographs or videos, but they may come
across your online videos on accident. While you may not be able
to be arrested, most officers are actually required to see you in
the act, you may raise suspicions. If you enjoy participating in
illegal activities, such as underage drinking, there is a good
chance that you will continue to participate in them. With
suspicion arose, there is a good chance that you may be being
watched by your local authorities.
In addition to the authorities, if
you are student, whether you are a college student or a high
school student, there is a good chance that you could be suspended
from school. Across the country, there have been numerous reports
of school officials finding online content, including videos
hosted on online video websites, that document illegal activities.
These activities often included underage drinking, drug use, or
threats against other students. In addition to be spoken to
by your local police department, there is also the chance of
school suspension or suspension for any school related activities,
such as sports.
The possibility of being suspended
from school and talked to by your local police department are
things that could happen right away. Despite what you may
think, your online video could come back to haunt you in a couple
of years. Most online video websites will allow you to
remove your video, if and when you choose to do so. However,
it is likely that a large number of individuals have already seen
it. Although they are not supposed, it is also possible that
your video has been reproduced and redistributed throughout the
internet. If illegal activities were documented in your
online video, there is a good chance that you could be terminated
from your job, especially if your video was viewed by your
employer. Also, there are a large number of employers who
use the internet to research their new applicants. Your
online video, especially if it documented the use or participation
in illegal activities, could prevent you from getting that new job
that you always dreamed about.
As much fun as you may think it
would be to make a video of your next underage drinking party, you
are advised against doing so. Perhaps, it is best to stay
cautious. You can never tell who will be watching your video
and what they will do about it.
