Blurred Line Trends in True Crime: Reporting or Exploiting?

For the past two decades, the rise of social media has blurred crime reporting and entertainment into a fluid, ever-emerging genre that muddles the lines between fact, speculation, and spectacle. Platforms like X, TikTok, and YouTube have democratized the genre, allowing anyone—from amateur sleuths to influencers—to weigh in on unsolved cases, high-profile trials, or mysterious disappearances. This fluidity stems, in part, from the rapid dissemination of information, the melding of journalistic reporting with entertainment value, and the interactive nature of these platforms, where users contribute theories, evidence, and commentary in real time. While a democratization of information can positively raise awareness about unsolved cases or miscarriages of justice, it also introduces a risk of harm to crime victims and their families; in fact, according to the work we have done so far at F.A.C.E.S, it frequently does cause harm.

In this fluid space, true crime frequently shifts from an informative journalistic endeavor to entertainment. Just one post or video can spark a trend, turning a case into an online true crime obsession overnight. Creators often prioritize sensationalism—dramatic titles, disturbing, often AI-generated images, or conspiratorial angles—to hook audiences, often at the expense of facts. For instance, a grainy, dark, and shadowy photo or unverified rumor is easily spun into a definitive "clue," amplifying misinformation as it circulates among the community. Additionally, in a rush to be first to release any sort of new alleged, unconfirmed detail, many creators fail to vet the source of their information, let alone bothering to read it in its entirety before racing to appear first online to read it to their audience as “breaking” news. Often, these creators’ viewers trust the creator or assume they can trust the veracity and ethics of the creator, simply because of the creator’s past work experience or prestigious titles. In doing so, the audience may inadvertently rely upon and share a rushed, distorted, or misinformed perception of events they otherwise would not be so quick to lean into. Sadly, these convoluted and distorted tales get repeated, sometimes for months or even years on end. In fact, lately it seems that the more irrational, conspiratorial and exploitative the so-called "true" crime storytelling, the more traction the story gets among online audiences.

Recently, we have noticed several “trending” online true crime cases appear to reflect inaccurate, incomplete, biased, or gossip-based narratives; it is anything BUT “true” crime. These stories typically include bold allegations against innocent people, conspicuously lacking in facts. The audience, likely caught up in the emotional pull of anger, outrage and concern often go along with these false narratives, not appearing to notice there is limited information or misinformation underpinning the allegations.

Moreover, it appears that there is an increase in true crime channels that publish content that implicates innocent people and may even lead to or encourage harassment of the family and loved ones of a crime victim or missing person. In one recent instance, the family of a missing child successfully sought orders of protection against a content creator on the basis of stalking. In another missing child case, law enforcement urged the public to stop flooding tip lines with baseless theories circulating online. Clearly, these examples showcase the real life harmful impact of unethical true crime content that leads to harm not just on families, but also in how it can disrupt legitimate inquiries and divert law enforcement resources.

Additionally, there appears to be an overall trend towards the “gamification” of true crime in

online content—where audiences attempt to "solve" cases like a puzzle with the creator serving as puzzle master. But instead of fitting facts together, the group relies on incomplete information, speculation and opinion that encourages false allegations. This melding of crime with entertainment creates potential and real harm, while also desensitizing audiences to the true human suffering at the core of "true" crime stories.

While social media offers a platform to spotlight underreported cases and help victims, the fusion of reporting and entertainment demands caution and a profound recognition of the potential harm caused to the victims whose lives are being covered as content. The victims and victims' families that F.A.C.E.S. has interviewed in recent months consistently reveal substantial physical, emotional and psychological impacts that stem not just from the trauma of a criminal act or the pain of not knowing what happened to their missing loved one, but also from the fallout of unethical true crime content that leads to false accusation, exploitation and abuse.

Ultimately, without ethical boundaries or accountability, true crime creators risk turning true justice into a popularity contest, and truth into a casualty of clout. To mitigate harm, creators and consumers alike must prioritize and demand accuracy and respect over sensationalism, recognizing that behind every case are real lives, not just stories. While creators and viewers can easily just turn off the content on their screens and go on with their daily lives, the people who are the content cannot. Their pain, suffering and grief does not just go away by hitting pause or swiping it away- it lingers deep; it is a heavy weight that no one can silence, and one that lasts a lifetime. It is up to the true crime online community- not to eliminate true crime content, but to pay attention to facts and boundaries. Without an awareness and acceptance of responsibility and ethical true crime storytelling, we risk turning tragedy into a free-for-all of distortion and exploitation of victims and their loved ones, who are already suffering and in dire need of community support.