Taylor Lorenz’s Power User The Truth About Child Influencing
Jan 23, 2025
Alyssa Mercante, a video game journalist who faced a severe online harassment campaign after her reporting on industry practices, discusses the dark side of family vlogs and child influencing. She shares insights on the toxic culture in gaming that has resurrected harassment tactics reminiscent of Gamergate. Alyssa highlights the implications of recent laws aimed at protecting children online, while emphasizing the urgent need for industry accountability and support for marginalized voices in journalism.
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Harassment Campaign Structure
- Online harassment campaigns often involve a hierarchy of actors.
- Leaders instigate, smaller creators amplify, and anonymous "foot soldiers" carry out direct threats and doxing.
Alyssa Mercante's Experience
- Alyssa Mercante refused to back down or apologize after her Kotaku article sparked harassment.
- This led to escalating attacks, including threats, doxing, and online scrutiny of her every move.
Media's Cowardice
- Media organizations often avoid covering online harassment campaigns, especially against women.
- This stems from fear of controversy and potential impact on their bottom line, prioritizing profit over journalist safety.