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Social media was overwhelmed in July 2020 with allegations against the furniture retailer, Wayfair, for human trafficking through its online store. The allegations claimed that Wayfair was using overpriced storage cabinets on its website as a front for trafficking children.
Using this example, we want to share how vital it is that consumers research where claims originate and if there is substantial evidence behind them. When claims like this go viral, trafficking hotlines get a surge in calls forcing them to stretch their resources and potentially get in the way for providing timely service to survivors who are in crisis.
The allegation was based on the prices and names of certain items. At the time, Wayfair issued a statement about the allegations, writing in an email, “There is, of course, no truth to these claims. The products in question are industrial grade cabinets that are accurately priced.”
Mentions of Wayfair and “trafficking” exploded on Facebook and Instagram in the summer of 2020. As we have seen in the past, we know there are many websites capable of human trafficking. It has not been uncommon to find an underlying meaning hidden within product descriptions of an item. The idea that a known furniture company could be selling children is entirely understandable that people would hear these allegations and become upset.
However, as consumers it is crucial that we look deeper into allegations and theories on the internet before posting or re-posting said claims. It is important to check sources because there are so many which are unreliable online, as seen with what happened to Wayfair in 2020. Claims were investigated and later proved to be untrue, but the damage of overwhelming real survivor resources was done. Due diligence is vital to ensure that false allegations do not persist and strain survivor resources.
The ultimate goal in sharing well researched stories is to highlight the evil that is being done in the realm of sex trafficking so that we can take action to end it. But when not fully investigating a claim before sharing and reposting false reports, can damage the safety for the very people social media users say they’re trying to help.