Ep 8. Selfie 2.0

In "Selfie 2.0," the eighth episode of CSI: Cyber's first season, the cyber crimes division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tackles a case of online identity theft and bullying. The episode follows Special Agent Avery Ryan (Patricia Arquette) and her team as they investigate the death of a teenager named Lisa, whose social media accounts have been hacked and used to spread damaging content about her online.

At the start of the episode, Ryan and her team are called to the scene of a supposed suicide. Lisa, a high school student, has jumped from the roof of her school after being the victim of cyberbullying. Upon investigating, Ryan discovers that Lisa's social media accounts have been hacked and used to post suggestive and damaging content, leading to a downward spiral of harassment and bullying online.

The investigation reveals that the hacker used Lisa's phone to take selfies that were then altered to make it seem like she was taking provocative pictures. These images were then posted on social media accounts created by the hacker with the intent to bully and harass Lisa. The team soon realizes that this is not a one-off case, as several other teenagers have also been victims of similar hacks.

As they continue to investigate, the team discovers that the hacker is using a sophisticated algorithm to create bots that are capable of creating fake social media accounts in seconds. The bots then flood the accounts of the victim, amplifying the hurtful messages and images that were posted. The hacker has also been able to falsify location data to make it appear as if the victim is posting the content themselves.

Meanwhile, Ryan's colleague Elijah Mundo (James Van Der Beek) enlists the help of a teenage hacker, Brody Nelson (Hayley Kiyoko), to try and track down the identity of the hacker. As the team races against the clock to find the hacker, cyberbullying continues to escalate, with more teenagers suffering from the same fate as Lisa.

Throughout the episode, the team grapples with the ramifications of social media and the impact it can have on young people. Ryan, who has a troubled relationship with her own teenage daughter, feels particularly connected to the case. At one point, Ryan tells her daughter that social media is more dangerous than guns, a sentiment that is echoed throughout the episode.

"Selfie 2.0" is a poignant episode that highlights the dangers of cyberbullying and the challenges of policing social media. It sheds light on the desperate need for teenagers to be more mindful of their online activity, and for parents to be more vigilant in monitoring their children's social media interactions. The episode is a powerful reminder that actions online have very real consequences.

Overall, episode 8 of CSI: Cyber's first season is a thought-provoking and important contribution to the conversation surrounding cyberbullying and online safety. The team's pursuit of justice for Lisa and the other victims of cyberbullying is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as they strive to make a positive impact in a world that is increasingly dominated by technology.