Ryan Broll, Sociology and Anthropology, examined the most efficient strategies for fighting “revenge porn” in a Toronto Star op-ed column July 24. With increased sharing of consensually or non-consensually obtained intimate images without consent, some people are urging government to make it easier for victims to sue those sharing their images. Broll said researchers have found little evidence that civil remedies or criminal charges, reserved for the most serious cases, will prevent harmful online behaviour.
“The most promising approach to deter revenge porn is to teach young people healthy relationship skills that pertain to on- and offline environments, and to educate youth about the importance of cyber-safety,” he said. Broll studies youth technology use, bullying and cyber-bullying.