As teenagers in an increasingly online world, the internet is both a safe haven and a dangerous space. As a member of Gen Z and user of the internet, I can confirm that some of my best and worst life experiences have been online. However, I’m also pretty proud of my internet detective skills, especially when it comes to discerning the real from the too-good-to-be-true.
Throughout my life, I’m pretty fortunate that I’ve never had a true catfish experience. Sure, I’ve fallen for a couple fake headlines, but that’s really the extent of my naivety. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for many other people I know, both young and old. As AI and photo editing become increasingly more common, it’s essential that everyone who uses the internet becomes an expert in recognizing falsities, however convincing they may be. So, there is only one question. What does “catfishing” mean, and how can you avoid being its next victim?
What Is Catfishing?
The term “catfishing,” (when not referring to the literal whiskered fish,) means “[to] lure (someone) into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona.”
According to CNN, “The term is believed to originate from the 2010 documentary “Catfish,” in which a young Nev Schulman starts an online relationship with teenager “Megan”, who turns out to be an older woman.”
Interestingly, the term is somewhat outdated, with its usage peaking in the 2000s and declining steadily after 2019. During the earlier days of the internet, many were far more prone to it, as widespread anonymity made the practice incredibly easy. Typically, those who attempt catfishing do so with the intention of exploiting a relationship, usually a romantic one. However, more recently, the term has become synonymous with scam artistry and general deception.
What’s The Purpose?
Despite the mal-intent associated with the word, catfishes don’t always set out with malicious intent. As the phenomenon has become more widely researched, experts have found that many cases of catfishing stem from lack of self confidence and insecurity. Situations such as the classic “Wow, you look pretty different than your profile picture,” are more realistic than you think, as minor photo tweaking can become problematic in the online dating sphere. (See “How Is It Done” for more detail on this topic.) Those who partake in this kind of catfishing often don’t realize they’re doing it in the first place. For many, a slight tweak to a photo is synonymous with a white lie. Sure, at first it doesn’t seem so harmful, but little things like that tend to have a snowball effect.
Unfortunately, not all online tricksters possess the same naivety. Many online trolls or catfishes actually know their victims in person. This kind of cyber bullying has worsened as younger generations get access to the internet. According to CNN, “more than 6,000 Gen Z teenagers and young people [found] that almost two-thirds of them or their friends had been targeted by catfish or hackers,” and according to CBS, “most victims are boys ages 14 to 17.” Some have blamed this threat on Gen Z’s overconfidence in their scam-detecting abilities, while others chastise lenient parents.
Those who purposely exploit others using catfish tactics tend to do so for financial gain. Some may be convinced that they need the money more than their victim, a kind of twisted self-justification. Others do so as a part of a larger operation, such as scam phone lines or cyber scam centers. The issue is widespread and not just contained to the U.S. For example, romance catfishing scams are one of the top 10 reported in Singapore, and in Australia, a third of romance scams result in financial loss. The issue is expanding, and it’s up to the authorities to crack down on exploitative behavior.
How Is It Done?
Another concerning fact about catfish scams is that they are incredibly successful. This success can be attributed to many things, chief of which being easy-access photo editing software. For most social media users, photo editing is the norm, whether it be something as tame as a filter or as extreme as a full-body photo shop. Photo editing apps are readily available on the App Store, equipped with all the tools to create a brand-new person from scratch. Catfishes employ photo editing and manipulation tactics to make their personas more realistic, which is why becoming familiar with tell-tale signs of editing (warped edges, blurred backgrounds, etc) is crucial for those looking to avoid it.
How Can You Avoid It?
Despite the dangers catfishing poses, it’s absolutely avoidable. In order to protect your internet privacy, here’s a couple tips to stay on top of it.
- Consider putting restrictions on your own social media accounts. It’s worthwhile to turn on private mode, or at least to restrict DMs/comments to close friends and family. As much as it may seem like a burden to do, private mode is one of the most useful features to protect your privacy.
- Regularly check your friends/followers list. It can be easy to let people slip through the cracks, even if you are actively privating your feed. It doesn’t hurt to take a little time to make sure you know and trust who’s viewing your content.
- Make real-world connections. Loneliness is one of the highest contributing factors to internet addiction. I know how hard it is to talk to people sometimes, but someone you know in person will almost always be more trustworthy than a username and profile picture.
- Practice skepticism. The internet is a wonderful place, sure, but it’s also a playground for manipulators. Being savvy and questioning everything is essential to navigating the internet. For an internet catfish, consistency isn’t a top priority. If someone’s story just can’t seem to stay straight, it’s definitely fishy. (Get it? Fishy?)