The Escalating Series of Harmful Text Messages

Advancement of Harmful Text Communication Leading to Fatal Consequences

In the digital age, abuse can take on new forms, and one such form is through text messaging. A recent case involving 21-year-old Ingoung You serves as a stark reminder of this.

You was convicted of encouraging her boyfriend to commit suicide through a series of text messages. This tragic event occurred shortly before his commencement. The higher court upheld her conviction in 2019, following a similar case in 2017 involving Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in her boyfriend's suicide.

Text messaging can be a powerful tool for control, manipulation, and harm. In this case, You sent messages encouraging her boyfriend to take his life, a form of manipulation that requires immediate attention. Threatening to hurt oneself via text is a manipulative tactic that can be particularly insidious.

The progressive order of an abusive person's tactics in text messaging often begins with love bombing, where the abuser showers the other person with affection and attention. This is followed by gaslighting, where the abuser may claim that a text was never sent. Refusing to answer questions is another manipulative tactic, as is making false accusations. Sending multiple text messages to irritate, interrupt, and control is also common.

Threatening to hurt someone via text is a form of manipulation, as is sending photos of potential threats or self-harm. Abusive text messages can have potentially deadly consequences, as demonstrated by the cases of both You and Carter.

In the case of You and her boyfriend, the two exchanged over 75,000 text messages in a two-month period, highlighting the frequency and intensity of their communication. The tone of a text message is impossible to discern, making it easy to draw multiple meanings from one message. This ambiguity can make it difficult for the recipient to understand the true intent of the message, and can contribute to feelings of confusion and fear.

It is important to remember that abuse can occur through text messaging, and it can be manipulative and deadly. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse through text messages, seek help immediately. Resources are available to support you.