Later, Charles Ross posted that video on YouTube, and it has been watched more than 11 million times. Police in Sarasota County charged Ross with a felony last week, saying he dressed up as a police officer for his latest prank. It was Ross’s sixth arrest in Florida, each of which stemmed from stunts he performed in pursuit of viewers on YouTube. Ross’s record is another example of the ways the digital media ecosystem, with its strong incentives for those able to grab attention, encourages certain negative and, in some cases, illegal behaviors. These include: “Killing My Own Kid PRANK!” (56 million views); “Murder PRANK on Girlfriend” (6.6 million views); “Third Story Fall Prank” (26 million views); and “Flashing Children Prank!” (39 million views).

Source: Washington Post April 11, 2019 03:18 UTC