Chapter 1: The Impact of Online Harassment

Have you ever pondered why incidents of stalking and harassment persist for years while law enforcement hesitates to take action? For over 18 months, numerous content creators, both large and small, have voiced their experiences of being targeted by the same individual. Despite their extensive efforts through official channels, including calls, emails, and meetings with authorities, the responses have been minimal.

How much harm must one inflict before law enforcement deems it necessary to intervene? Cybercrime is not a novel concept, yet the legal framework surrounding it is lagging behind the realities of social media.

Let me introduce you to the troubling narrative of ‘Dot,’ a TikTok creator notorious for his relentless campaign of harassment. I first encountered Dot in September 2022, when he reached out under the name Brayden, expressing support for a story I was covering. He quickly became a regular on my livestreams, where he was given a platform to speak on almost a nightly basis.

However, when I altered the format slightly, Brayden perceived the loss of his unrestricted access as a personal attack. Over a year and a half later, he continues to claim that I silenced him. He has publicly declared his vendetta multiple times, creating several accounts to express his intent to undermine me.

To date, Brayden has produced over 100 incendiary videos and has dedicated countless hours to livestreams where he targets me by name.

Brayden has propagated numerous falsehoods about me to thousands. I’ve reached the end of my patience in dealing with this situation, and I find myself wondering what steps to take against Brayden. But I am far from alone in this struggle.

Recently, a dozen of Brayden's victims convened online for a panel discussion led by AK Kodak. It appears that AK was among the first victims. I can only hope she receives the protection she deserves.

AK's ordeal began in December 2021 when she met Brayden through a dating application. At the time, she was a nurse and recalled a particularly alarming night when Brayden became erratic upon realizing she couldn't engage with him during her shift. “Suddenly, he claimed he would harm himself and insisted I call him immediately. The urgency was constant, and he tried to manipulate me at every opportunity.”

In another chilling encounter, Brayden confided in AK about witnessing acts of violence and even spoke of committing murder, which can be heard firsthand on YouTube.

Although she severed ties with him long ago, AK continues to receive threats from Brayden, including ominous messages about “rape, home invasion, tampering with (her) vehicle, and poisoning (her) pets.”

What struck me during last night’s forum was how a single malicious act can inflict significant harm. Amy Boutin shared her experience with Brayden. Unlike many other viewers tuning in from around the g