I have a strong memory from my high school science class, in which I overheard my teacher ask another student who her favorite serial killer was. As I sat there in disbelief, I couldn’t understand how someone could have a “favorite” serial killer. These were violent, abhorrent criminals who committed horrific acts.
Upon reflecting on this situation, I realized that this fascination with serial killers comes from the glamorization that the media gives them. But with this fascination, when does the consumption of true crime media become unethical? When does it get to the point where true crime content re-traumatizes victims and their families?
Platforms such as TikTok and YouTube have allowed people to base their entire career on talking about gruesome cases. These channels generate loads of followers and money for the hosts of these podcasts and video channels. With most hosts lacking proper journalistic training, they gear their channels more toward entertainment rather than education and reporting.
As a magazine, news and digital journalism student at Syracuse University, Helena Chernosky said she has always had a love for good storytelling. This was extremely apparent when it came to how she consumed some true crime media.
While trying to find something to listen to while working, Chernosky stumbled upon the channel “Rotten Mango.” This channel covers true crime stories as well as acting as a podcast.
Chernosky said that she was immediately enthralled by the storytelling and production quality of the stories.
As I watched more of her videos, I found myself attracted to more of the videos about crimes in history, rather than videos about murderers. I would rather learn about the stories of groups of people than focus on murders.
Chernosky
Consuming unethically
True crime is a popular topic that has attracted millions of avid consumers. Between TV shows, documentaries, and podcasts, the true crime genre has a plethora of options for people who are interested in hearing about a case.
According to a study conducted in 2024 by Edison Research, 84% of the U.S. population aged 13 and above consume true crime media. The most popular topics include murder cases, serial killers, cold cases and unexplained mysteries. Consumers also reported that they enjoy true crime for the suspense and thrill factor.
Some people may consume true crime for reasons to educate themselves about a certain case. But there are severe ethical implications when it comes to turning true crime into entertainment.
Mental health concerns
Some YouTubers have dedicated their channels to talking about violent crimes while doing their makeup at the same time. The videos are flooded with light-hearted humor and quips. While this may seem harmless, it can hurt victims and families who have to relive their trauma.
Licensed mental health counselor Sarah McGregor said that losing a loved one to a violent crime can create a complex relationship between healing and the justice system, as they can become entwined.
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder also occur due to becoming hyper-vigilant of their surroundings, intense fear and nightmares. It compounds grief because not only are they experiencing normal grief responses, but they are also having to process that violence was inflicted with purpose by another person.
McGregor
The 2021 documentary “Dead Asleep” covered the case of Brooke Preston, who was murdered by her childhood friend and roommate. This documentary received extreme backlash when Preston’s sister revealed that the family didn’t consent to the documentary or want to be interviewed for it, as it focused more on the murderer rather than the victim.
The desire to mass-produce true crime content for easy money is an unethical and insulting way to cover devastating cases.
Hurtful content
Some cases aren’t handled with care or understanding by hosts of podcasts or movie producers. As making the case “entertaining” clouds judgment, some stories get twisted or gain attention in the wrong way.
The 2019 movie “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” covers the crimes of serial killer Ted Bundy. The intention of the movie should have been to inform audiences of the terrible crimes and honor the victims. However, the movie left out important details of Bundy’s crimes and more atrocities he committed. Instead, the movie presented him as a kind, handsome and loving man who was being wrongly accused. Casting popular, attractive actors encourages viewers to look past the true story and find reasons to empathize with the killer.
Some people glamorize serial killers and create TikTok edits of them, as well as sell merch with their faces on it. Imagine being the family of a person killed and seeing audiences applaud and lust over the murderer.
Insulting responses
Kaylie DeShane, a school social worker and previous addiction counselor, said that she believes that true crime is popular because of the fascination with the “human mind” and the desire to learn how to prevent a violent crime. For families of victims, she said that permission is key to retelling the story.
The shows could help by ensuring families are on board. Some of the crimes that are unsolved finish with ‘call this number if you have information,’ and I think that helps too. It’s a little more proactive.
DeShane
Some avid consumers visit the sites of crimes and document it as if it were a vacation spot. Other cities offer tours of crime scene locations, such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is home to a Jeffrey Dahmer tour in which you visit the spots he lured his victims.
This tone-deaf response to murders is a tremendous insult to the people who were killed or lost a loved one. When consuming true crime content, it’s important to consider the real people behind the story.
Better approaches
For journalists who want to tell the stories of these crimes, there needs to be boundaries in place to ensure that families and victims are shown the respect that they deserve in the media.
I think it’s important as a journalist to understand trauma, understand what a trauma survivor is experiencing before you show up and understand how your actions will impact them after you leave.
McGregor
Victims should be remembered, and their killers should be left in the past. The more people talk about criminals, the more they receive attention and erase the victims’ memories. Treating true crime like a favorite form of entertainment only glorifies monsters.
This, itself, makes us just as complicit.
