Internet begging is a cyber or e-version of traditional begging, asking strangers for money to meet immediate and other needs (money, food, and shelter). It is also referred to as cyber begging and internet panhandling. Internet begging has the clear advantage to street panhandling in that it can be practiced with relative anonymity, thereby eliminating or reducing the shame and disgrace apparent of begging in public.

A cause website is a term for a cyber begging site that presents a personal appeal for funds or help.

History

During the early days of the Internet, cyber begging was evident in the form of personal advertisements for help on local bulletin board systems (BBS). As personal websites became more popular, individuals began advertising their needs using the features available through website authoring. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) offered a free homepage along with the basic dial-up connection service to the Internet. For many people, this was an opportunity to create an inexpensive website to host and share their personal experience and need.

As non-profit organizations began moving their fundraising efforts from snail mail (postal mail) to the World Wide Web, individuals began to create more elaborate forms of personal 'fundraising' by utilizing many of the same Internet techniques.

During the late 1990s, as the Internet became more sophisticated, resources became available allowing any individual to create an attractive website without requiring the knowledge of HTML or other web authoring systems. These free-to-inexpensive web hosting services remain a constant on the Internet making it easy for the public to access, create and advertise an Internet begging website.

Internet begging gained notoriety and momentum after June of 2002 when Karyn Bosnak started SaveKaryn.com as an attempt to have the Internet public help pay her credit card debt. For Bosnak, the results led to traditional media attention, appearances on popular television programs and a book. Her website was probably the first Internet begging site to gain wide exposure and it became the example for many to follow.

Internet begging sites

With hundreds of Internet begging sites on-line, it has become common practice for web beggars to register and own the domain name of their websites. Using free to inexpensive hosting services, Internet begging websites ask the public for help with many needs including breast augmentation surgery, cancer treatments, new cars, preventing personal homelessness, and medical bills to suggest a few. Websites with names reflecting their needs directly or indirectly are panhandling for help with a variety of human needs and conditions, from deeply personal to very humorous.

Many 'cause websites' accept contributions via clickable hyperlinks. Internet services like PayPal and the Amazon.com Honor system offer free to inexpensive credit card and payment acceptance services making it easy for cyber beggars to collect donations directly from their websites.

Many of the Internet begging websites appear to be the result of an individual's legitimate desire for attention and help. However, a new trend is emerging in 'Mega' begging sites that are ostensibly offering would be Internet beggars help with the details of website design, hosting and advertising.

Internet begging websites are essentially as transient as traditional off-line panhandlers with respect to territory and accessibility. Many Internet begging websites are not long lived.

Begging in online poker rooms

Sometimes beggars use the chat facility in online poker rooms to beg for money. This practice often occurs at high stakes tables, where the beggars may believe they have a better chance of being paid by people who play for high stakes. However, this practice is typically frowned upon, and most online poker rooms employ countermeasures to prevent it. These countermeasures include revoking offenders' chat privileges, limiting chat to seated players only, and placing boundaries on who may chat as an observer.

Laws against internet begging

Some countries and other jurisdictions have passed laws prohibiting or restricting internet begging, though enforcement has been minimal, and there have been no major reports of anyone being prosecuted for the practice in itself.

The United Kingdom has outlawed all internet begging, but has not actively tried to crack down on the practice .

Mexico has a law requiring those engaging in internet begging to positively indentify themselves and to accurately specify why they need money.

In virtually all places, those receiving money through internet begging are required to pay taxes in accordance with all national, state, and local laws.

District attorneys in all places where such laws exist agree that enforcement is difficult, given that the internet is worldwide, and since funds are typically solicited across jurisdiction lines, such prosecution is difficult.