Idaho Professor Fears for Children's Safety After False TikTok Accusations

A University of Idaho professor who was falsely accused of involvement in the 2022 murders of four students by a TikTok psychic has described the profound fear she experienced for her children's safety, including sleepless nights spent guarding them. Rebecca Scofield, a historian, became aware of the unfounded accusations made by TikTok influencer Ashley Guillard on Thanksgiving, less than two weeks after the murders occurred.

In a New York Times op-ed, Scofield detailed how Guillard posted over a hundred videos, gaining millions of views, falsely alleging Scofield had orchestrated the quadruple homicide and was having an affair with one of the victims. Despite Moscow police publicly stating Scofield was not a suspect and the subsequent arrest of Bryan Kohberger in connection with the crimes, the accusations persisted.

Scofield described the overwhelming number of disturbing and threatening messages she received. The ordeal impacted her daily life, causing her to sleep less and stay home from teaching, instead conducting classes remotely. She testified about sitting in her son's bedroom at night, fearing for his safety.

"I saw up close how the online world can come to feel more real than the physical one," Scofield wrote. "Even after the actual murderer was arrested and convicted, the accusations against me continued." She noted that these claims were amplified by algorithms and unsuspecting viewers, causing harm that permeated every aspect of her life.

Scofield's experience has led her to question the accountability of social media platforms. She highlighted Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from many defamation lawsuits, allowing only individuals to be held liable for misinformation, even when spread by a platform. Scofield suggested reforms to Section 230, ranging from exceptions for extreme cases to revoking immunity for social media companies.

"We can try to hold platforms accountable for the harmful content they spread," Scofield stated. "If the companies making billions of dollars off these platforms won’t protect us, what other recourse do we have?"

Scofield pursued legal action, and a federal jury awarded her $10 million in her defamation lawsuit against Guillard. Guillard has appealed the decision.

Scofield also drew historical parallels, noting how technological advances like the printing press and radio have profoundly impacted society. She argued that digital platforms now rewrite reality in a more immediate and potent way, bypassing traditional historical analysis and professional standards.

Bryan Kohberger was convicted of the murders of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The attack occurred on November 13, 2022. Kohberger had previously attempted to withdraw his plea and was due to attend a virtual court hearing regarding a motion to disqualify the judge.