Review of “When Rape Goes Viral: Youth and Sexual Assault in the Digital Age”

Abstract This review explores Anna Gjika’s When Rape Goes Viral (2023), a sociological study of how digital technologies transform the dynamics of sexual violence among youth. Through detailed analysis of high-profile cases like Steubenville and Maryville, Gjika argues that social media not only amplifies rape culture but also shifts how consent, victimhood, and justice are perceived. The book examines the dual role of digital evidence—supporting survivors while sometimes retraumatizing them—and critiques the legal system’s limitations in addressing online forms of harm. The review highlights Gjika’s valuable contributions, including her call for restorative justice and consent education, while noting some limitations regarding intersectionality and global legal perspectives. Overall, the book is praised for its clarity, urgency, and relevance in the digital age.