Scott Stone had just set his morning coffee and a bowl of yogurt on his desk on Thursday, March 13, 2025, when a notification popped up. An email arrived through his business website, where he promotes wildlife photography and bear viewing tours in Alaska. He initially assumed it was from a potential client. However, he was taken aback when he noticed that the subject line read “Pos” (short for “piece of shit”) and the message simply threatened, “Faggot we are gonna dox you and your family.”
Bewildered, Scott turned to his wife and business partner, Jackie, and asked, “Did you see our email?” What followed next was a shocking revelation: their Instagram page, sstone_images, was embroiled in a vicious attack orchestrated by a zealous social media mob. Strangely, the assailants didn’t pause to verify facts, inaccurately connecting Scott’s photography business with an outrageous incident occurring thousands of miles away in Australia.
The catalyst for this chaos was a viral video posted the week before by a 20-something influencer named Sam Jones. In the clip, Jones showcased her scooping up a wombat joey, joyfully carrying the distressed animal across a road to separate it from its mother. The backlash against Jones was immediate and severe, drawing condemnation from diverse communities, including the American hunting and conservation community and even Australia’s Prime Minister. Yet, amidst all this anger, the social media horde turned their ire toward Scott Stone’s photography business, mistakenly believing he had some connection to the incident.
The Stones found themselves facing a full-scale social media attack that took nearly four hours to quell. "We know what we do is not loved by everyone," said Scott. "There are people who like to troll on social media, and they think we’re going to get the bears killed by being there in the first place.” Despite having no ties to the baby wombat incident, the couple received hateful comments, threats, and personal attacks as the mob aimed their fury without any semblance of accuracy.
It was a reminder of the pernicious nature of online mobs. With the anonymity the internet provides, accusations can spread like wildfire, leaving behind a trail of collateral damage. Most tragically, it was not just Scott and Jackie Stone who became victims. Another Sam Jones, a creative director at Comedy Central, also fell victim to this online fury, being harassed and threatened simply because she shared a name with the influencer.
The creative director recounted, “The amount of hate I’m STILL receiving from hundreds of people who, with a little research, would realize I’m not the ‘influencer’ who stole a baby animal, is astounding.” She expressed frustration at how the online community would not even acknowledge their errors, saying, “Even when I hand them the correct person’s profile on a silver platter, they don’t apologize. They just… move on.” Her plight typifies the danger of swift social media justice that lacks accountability.
The chaotic online environment highlights broader conversations about anti-hunting sentiments, particularly how they manifest across social media platforms. As someone who helps educate the public about wildlife behavior and conservation through his photography, Scott was astounded at how quickly misinformation could erode not only his business reputation but attack lives. “In the blink of an eye, you could literally ruin someone’s life,” he reflected, acknowledging the irrational anger stemming from a misunderstanding.
Drawing from their experience, the Stones swiftly mobilized to defend their name, replying to aggressive comments and reaching out to friends in the conservation community who helped vouch for their integrity. Eventually, with great effort, they managed to get the post that started the ordeal updated and had an apology issued by the original poster. Some commenters would ultimately retract their statements and apologize, yet many remained steadfastly unrepentant.
As Scott reflected on the harsh lessons learned, he noted how close they came to losing their Instagram account, which drives nearly all their business. "If that page got shut down, we wouldn’t have gotten it back," he stated grimly. Events of this nature do not only threaten livelihoods; they can lead to lasting psychological impact due to online harassment.
The international anti-hunting community, particularly vocal in places like Australia, actively pursues hunters, documenting their actions to undermine their credibility and safety. Investigating such sentiments can yield insights into the paranoia faced by those in the wildlife community. Scott explained that many anti-hunting activists in Australia have resorted to similar tactics online, hoping to catch hunters making mistakes. This strategy seeks to vilify not just individuals but the entire hunting community.
Scott Stone's story reflects a microcosm of the larger issues prevalent in today’s social media landscape. The rapid dissemination of misinformation without proper fact-checking has emboldened a culture of cancellation, risking the spoiling of countless innocent lives. As we continue to grapple with the complexities surrounding wildlife preservation and conservation, it is critical to nurture more responsible social media practices and promote accountability amongst influencers and their followers alike.
The aftermath of the Sam Jones incident is a stark reminder of how much pressure social media can place on individuals and businesses. It also illustrates the vital importance of stopping to verify facts before unleashing vitriol against perceived offenders. People must ask themselves: what repercussions might stem from such rash actions?
