Abstract

This paper illustrates the authors bold yet humble informal account of a three year observation of several individuals all of whom had a visible presence on social media platforms and exhibited profound observable traits of psychopathy expressed in a distinct systematic pattern as yet undescribed in the literature.

Serial killers come to law enforcement notice because of a body trail, prompting investigations and tracking them down to prevent further deaths. Vast police resources are employed as a serial killer on the loose is probably one of the most intense police operations ever investigated. Serial killers are always psychopaths, but not all psychopaths are violent nor kill their victims. Just as some violent psychopaths are serial killers, other non-violent psychopaths are engaged in serial social media psychopathy (SSMP)-a novel form of social and professional destruction of the victim while an audience watch, as yet undescribed in the literature. Observation of psychopathy on a sub clinical level has been fraught with difficulty until now. Not least of which question the motives for engaging with research while the only available subjects are in the prison system. However, the development of social media may be changing all of that as psychopaths reveal themselves online and more concerning reveal their destructive activities. While witch hunting and public shaming are elements of SSMP the manifestation of the condition in its entirety appears to be novel.

Online platforms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter need to engage measures to sanction perpetrators and combat this phenomena which are explored. Additionally, future recommendations are given for further research going forward to address pathology, manifestation and remedy.

Keywords: Social media psychopathy; Serial killer; Psychopathy; Robert Hare; John Ronson; Caroline Goldsmith; Public shaming; Novel social media phenomena