True crime has become increasingly popular as crazy, yet tragic stories continue to surface. It could be a podcast, TV show, or documentary, and you can find them on just about every streaming service. So what is the difference between just covering a story, and exploiting it for views and likes?

So what is it that makes these typically gruesome, disturbing stories so amusing? Some like the mystery of it. The truth being revealed periodically over several episodes building up to one big moment. Some say it teaches safety awareness of justice issues, but there is an argument to be made that the interest goes past that.

You can learn safety lessons(essentially from others’ mistakes), of justice system flaws. Many true crime cases highlight investigations handled poorly, often because evidence was handled poorly, or protocol wasn’t followed. An example people can learn is to be cautious of people you meet online.

Vaani Aga enjoys watching true crime documentaries. “It helps us spread awareness of different ways people get exploited,” says Vaani. “I think true crime is okay as long as it has the victim’s permission.”

True crime typically focuses on the crime and the criminal while briefly bringing light to the suspect. What this does is make these people remembered as a victim, and not for the person they are and the things they accomplished. It’s unethical to simply use their photos and names to tell the story without bringing light to who they are aside from their tragedy. 

Many families of victims have spoken out against true crime podcasts or documentaries that cover these traumatic events extensively without their permission. Viewers easily forget the people they hear about through their screens are real humans experiencing real emotions trying to move on with their lives.

“You’re exposing the family, if they want to keep their privacy it’s not getting respected especially when they’re trying to get over it,” says Sydney Freuler who enjoys watching true crime documentaries specifically on Netflix.

The problem starts when true crime steps over the line of respect, compassion, and simply story telling, and becomes blown out of proportion and exploited for entertainment purposes. There is a major difference between informing people and using these cases for profit. This can look like dramatizing events, suspenseful music, shock value, or cliffhangers.