We always read about strange Second Life stories, but this has to be the most interesting I have come across in a long time. For those of you who don’t know about Second Life, it’s an Internet-based virtual world that was launched back in 2003. Users or “residents” interact with each other with motional avatars, creating an advanced social networking environment. In this particular case, a resident in the virtual world has now become a criminal in the real world.
Kimberly Jernigan, 33, has been arrested for attempting to abduct her virtual ex-boyfriend in real life. She originally met the victim while playing Second Life. According to New Castle County, Del. police, Jernigan hid inside the ex-boyfriend’s home in Claymont, Del. as part of an abduction scheme. Keep in mind, she’s married and her husband also maintains online “relationships” with various Second Life women. She was caught hiding in the home armed with a taser. No mention was made as to how she was caught. The police report that she planned to abduct him and start a new life together.
According to one officer, “she had difficulty distinguishing between the virtual relationship and a real-life relationship”. While this may sound a little out there to people who aren’t on any social sites, I certainly know there are people online who cannot distinguish between the two. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just something you have to watch out for.
Jernigan is currently being held on $65,000 bond. This even will probably bring negative press for Second Life, but I feel as if it’s an individual’s responsibility to keep their personal information private when dealing with these “online” relationships. It’s just a fact that we’re living in strange times…
Via ABC News
August 26th, 2008 at 8:25 am
i’m actually studying about the reciprocity of online communication. this phenomenon is very common and extremely interesting to talk about for the future of our online existence
August 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Like the Black Keys say:
“Strange Times….Here….”