When Sensationalism Ends in Arrest
In April of this year, Katie Sorensen was convicted by a Sonoma County Jury for filing a false police report. For people who do the work I do, this is a win. On the outside, it may not be a big deal to some. People exaggerate things to the police all the time, right? She was just mistaken, right? Wrong.
If you don’t know who Katie is, she was a Multi Level Marketing “Boss Babe” influencer who sold CBD and then one day accused a Hispanic couple of eyeing her two children in the craft store and she thought they were trying to kidnap her children. She made a video on her MLM page that garnered millions of views and thousands of followers. As her trial unfolded, it was discovered she was very much attached to sensationalized posts and conspiracy theories about human trafficking, due to Q Anon.
In 2020 we were all isolated and had a lot of time on our hands. I saw post after post of bizarre “sex trafficking tactics” to be aware of. These posts were getting tons of shares and views, while educational videos from actual survivors and nonprofits who spend every day working against trafficking got half the attention. When I would point out the fact that these “tactics” were never confirmed, I would be told, “Well it can’t hurt to share right?” Actually, it really can.
False stories about sex trafficking tactics can go viral for a number of reasons. First, they can tap into people’s fears and anxieties about the safety of themselves or their loved ones, creating a sense of urgency and importance around the story. Additionally, these stories can be sensationalized or exaggerated, making them more attention-grabbing and shareable on social media.
However, these false stories can be incredibly harmful, both for individuals and for broader efforts to combat human trafficking. For individuals, false stories can create unnecessary fear and anxiety, leading them to take actions that may not be necessary or may even put them in harm’s way. Additionally, false stories can detract from real and pressing issues related to human trafficking, by spreading misinformation or perpetuating harmful stereotypes about victims of trafficking.
False stories about human trafficking tactics can also undermine efforts to combat this issue by detracting resources from evidence-based approaches to prevention and intervention. When attention is focused on sensationalized or exaggerated stories, it can divert resources from programs and organizations that are working to make real and measurable progress in this area.
Katie getting charged wasn’t just about abusing the 911 system and creating a negative image for two known community members of color in Petaluma.
Sorensen’s case is an example of how easy it can be for individuals to fall victim to conspiracy theories and misinformation, particularly in a climate of fear and anxiety. In this case, Sorensen may have been particularly susceptible to false claims of child abduction due to her exposure to sensationalized media coverage of similar incidents.
One lesson we can learn from Sorensen’s experience is the importance of fact-checking and verifying information before sharing or acting on it. This is particularly important when it comes to sensitive topics like child abduction, where false claims can create unnecessary fear and harm. It’s also important to be aware of the ways in which conspiracy theories and misinformation can spread online and to be vigilant in questioning and challenging these narratives when they arise.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making in our personal and public lives. By approaching information with a skeptical and discerning eye, we can help prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that we are making informed and responsible decisions.
