Have Predatory People Increased, or Are They Just More Visible?

Have Predatory People Increased, or Are They Just More Visible?

Written by Narcissistic Abuse Expert and Recovery Coach Randi Fine

Narcissistic Abuse Awareness and Guidance with Randi Fine

In today’s world, it can feel like predatory people are everywhere. Stories of narcissists, manipulators, and emotional abusers flood our social media feeds and daily conversations. It’s easy to feel disheartened and wonder: Has the world become more dangerous—or are we just seeing more of what has always been there?

The truth is, the actual percentage of predatory people has likely not increased--at least not in any measurable way. What has changed is our awareness of them, the reach they have, and the visibility their behaviors now receive.

Recognizing this subtle difference can open the door to both peace and understanding. You’re not imagining the increase—you’re witnessing more truth than ever before.

Human Nature Hasn’t Changed—But the Data Is Misleading

Traits associated with predatory personalities—such as manipulation, exploitation, and lack of empathy—have existed throughout human history.

Researchers estimate that only a small percentage of the population (roughly 1–6%) meets the criteria for narcissistic, antisocial, or psychopathic personality disorders. But these statistics are deeply unreliable. Few predators ever seek psychological evaluation, and they are often masters at masking who they truly are in public.

Behind closed doors, they can inflict immense emotional, psychological, and financial harm while maintaining a charming, even admirable, public image. Because of this, the real number of predatory individuals is impossible to determine.

What we can say with certainty is this: human nature itself hasn’t changed. What has changed is our growing ability to recognize and name these destructive patterns—a revelation that brings survivors truth, healing, and a renewed sense of power.

The Internet Made Them Visible

Before the internet, predatory behavior was often contained within families, workplaces, or small communities. Victims felt isolated, unsure whether anyone would believe them.

The rise of technology has made the hidden visible. Social media, forums, and news outlets shine a light on actions that once went unnoticed. While this exposure can affect thousands, it also offers survivors the gift of awareness, understanding, and the power to protect themselves.

Technology has amplified the voices of those who manipulate and harm, but it has also given survivors a powerful light—the ability to see clearly, speak out, and unite against injustice.

Social Media Rewards Narcissistic Traits

Social media has a way of shining a spotlight on traits that seek attention—charm, dominance, and self-promotion. While this doesn’t mean everyone online is narcissistic, it can create an environment where such behaviors feel normalized or even rewarded.

For those who value empathy, authenticity, and kindness, this can feel confusing or even discouraging. By recognizing these patterns, we can honor our values, safeguard our energy, establish boundaries, and respond in ways that nurture our well-being.

We’re More Informed—and More Empowered—Than Ever

When I began doing this work over fifteen years ago, few people had heard the terms gaslighting, love bombing, or narcissistic abuse. Today, survivors and advocates have brought these words into public awareness. This new language gives us the power to name what once felt confusing or invisible. It validates the experiences of millions who have suffered in silence, helping them see that what happened was not their fault.

The increase we perceive in predatory behavior is really an increase in understanding, education, and connection. We are finally shining light on the shadows.

Their Reach Has Expanded—and So Has the Risk

While the number of predatory people may not have grown, their access to potential victims has exploded. Technology has removed the natural boundaries that once limited their reach.

In the past, predators operated within small social circles—families, workplaces, neighborhoods. Today, the internet gives them instant access to the global masses. With a few clicks, they can infiltrate lives through dating apps, social media, hacking, or online scams. They can hide behind screens, use fake identities, and manipulate from afar without ever being seen.

This technological reach has made the world feel—and truly become—more dangerous in certain ways. The reach of predators has expanded: they no longer need proximity, only access.

But the story doesn’t end there. As their reach has grown, so has ours—our ability to expose them, share information, and unite in awareness and advocacy. Survivors are connecting across continents. Educators and professionals are raising awareness faster than ever before.

The same technology that gives predators access also gives truth-tellers a voice—and that balance of power is beginning to shift.

The Good News: Awareness Is Protection

Seeing predatory behavior everywhere can be painful, especially for those who have lived through it. But awareness is not a curse—it’s a shield. It gives us the power to spot red flags early, to protect our peace, and to make informed choices about who we let into our lives.

We are not living in a more evil world—we’re living in a more transparent one. And with transparency comes hope: the hope that we can end cycles of abuse, cultivate emotional awareness, and create relationships built on truth and respect.

In Conclusion:

The number of predatory people may not have grown, but our collective consciousness has. We’re no longer turning away from what hurts—we’re facing it, naming it, and healing from it together.

The digital age hasn’t created more predators; it has created more awakened souls, advocates, antoxic d healers determined to bring light where darkness once ruled.

Call to Action

If this message resonated with you, know that you’re not alone. Awareness is the first step toward empowerment, and healing begins with understanding what once confused or hurt you.

If you’d like to learn more about protecting your peace, rebuilding trust, and healing from manipulative or narcissistic relationships, I invite you to subscribe to my website or share this article with someone who might need clarity and comfort today.

Together, we can continue shining light into the shadows—one truth at a time.

Randi Fine is a globally renowned narcissistic abuse expert and recovery coach, and the originator of the term Post-Narcissistic Reality Hangover™—a phrase she coined to describe the disorienting psychological aftermath survivors experience after leaving a narcissist. She is also the creator of the Emotional Hostage Loop™, a groundbreaking trauma-recovery framework that identifies the cyclical pattern of psychological conditioning used to keep survivors emotionally trapped.

She is the author of the best-selling, groundbreaking book Close Encounters of the Worst Kind: The Narcissistic Abuse Survivor’s Guide to Healing and Recovery, Second Edition—the most comprehensive, well-researched, and up-to-date book on this subject. In addition to helping survivors recognize and heal from abuse, this book also guides mental health professionals in identifying and properly treating narcissistic abuse syndrome.

Randi is the author of the official companion workbook Close Encounters of the Worst Kind: A Comprehensive Workbook for Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse, and the powerful memoir Cliffedge Road: A Memoir, the first and only book to illustrate the lifelong impact of narcissistic child abuse.