As was to be expected, the sad episode that culminated in the death of 17-year-old teenager Vitória Regina in Cajamar-SP has dominated the news with many sensationalist details, which inevitably opened space for various – and irresponsible – speculations about suspects, motivations, and how the crime happened. That, in itself, already brings us important reflections on media education. However, I want to highlight another aspect of this extensive discussion, which takes a cue from the most plausible hypothesis so far, according to the authorities investigating the case: that Vitória was a victim of astalker(an "obsessive stalker," to use a more direct definition, who typically gathers information about their targets through the internet).
First of all, it is important to make it very clear that the victim, in this and other cases, is only a victim, having no fault in what happened to them. Victoria has no responsibility whatsoever for "posting too much" or anything of the sort. Meanwhile, the way the alleged perpetrator of the crime claims to have acted and had information about locations, routes, and times raises a warning about how we share sensitive information about our daily lives on social media.
First of all, we need to identify the reasons that lead us to use platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram. "Ordinary people" in these circles – that is, those who are not digital influencers, internet content creators, artists, or others who use their profiles as a way to promote their work – are there to connect with their friends. Of course, it is possible and very common to make friends online, but it is necessary to verify if that person is real and trustworthy. At this point, having friends or acquaintances in common is essential. Searching with the person's name also helps us verify the authenticity of a profile, whether to check the authenticity of photos or to learn about previous situations that the person, if real, has been involved in.
It's not about living a CSI, investigating everything and everyone, but caution is necessary. Unfortunately, the number of crimes committed with the help of or entirely on the internet is vast, with financial scams being the most common.
On the other hand, we should not turn our lives into a Big Brother, where we share everything we do, where we are, or our feelings in real time. A photo at school or at home should not be accompanied by the location of that specific place. If you are in a restaurant that is easily identifiable in a photo, the most cautious approach is to post that content at a different time.
In the case of Vitória Regina, the forensic examination of the main suspect Maicol Sales dos Santos's cell phone showed that he had been monitoring the young woman since 2024 and possessed a large collection of photos of the teenager saved on his device. Apparently, the motivation was a kind of revenge due to an unrequited obsessive interest. Maicol is a resident of the same area as the victim, which reinforces that the crime could have occurred under different circumstances, regardless of what the young woman shared on her personal profile. However, it is impossible not to think about the facilitating aspect that overexposure can offer in this type of situation. For example, knowing the time someone leaves work heading home.
Media literacy is very necessary, therefore, to protect ourselves and also to protect others. Social networks are useful, and good moments should be shared. Achievements, whether small or large, should be celebrated. The good example should always be passed on. Preferably, with those we truly trust and know. Contrary to what has become common sense for many people, the internet is not a perfect place.
