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When cute becomes criminal: emoji, threats and online grooming

journal contribution
posted on 2019-01-01, 00:00 authored by Marilyn McMahonMarilyn McMahon, Elizabeth Kirley
Emoji are widely used and are frequently perceived as cute or benign adjuncts to online communications. However, they perform a far more sinister role when used to convey threats or to sexually exploit minors. This paper explores the role of emoji in both threats and online grooming, noting the distinctive opportunities and interpretative challenges posed by these stylised visual representations. Through a qualitative review of a sampling of criminal cases primarily from diverse common law jurisdictions, we examine relevant prosecutions and find that emoji are being increasingly recognized as a facilitator or adjunct to criminal threats and unlawful sexual solicitation made on online platforms such as Facebook or through private messaging. The article concludes that while emoji present distinctive interpretative challenges, imposing criminal liability for threats or solicitation conveyed by them is a necessary evolution of the criminal law, demonstrating its adaptation to the digital age.

History

Journal

Minnesota journal of law, science and technology

Volume

20

Article number

3

Pagination

37-92

Location

Minneapolis, Minn.

ISSN

1552-9533

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal, C Journal article

Issue

1

Publisher

University of Minnesota Law School

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