Libel laws should apply to social networks
Kaitlin Laubscher
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Opinion
Social networking site users should be held to the same standards trained journalists are. It doesn't matter if libelous information appears in a reliable media outlet, on Courtney Love's Twitter page or on a middle school student's Facebook profile. If a person knowingly posts false or defamatory information with the intention of hurting someone, it's wrong and should be punishable.
Fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir is suing musician Courtney Love for libel after Love claimed Simorangkir is a cocaine dealer on Twitter. Love was apparently upset about a money dispute over how much she should pay Simorangkir for designing services when she tweeted the post, according to a Nov. 17 CNN.com article.
Anger and frustration is no excuse to post libelous information on the Internet. Facebook and Twitter allow users as young as 13 years old to use their sites, and anyone younger than 13 with the arithmetic skills to fake their birth year can get an account, no questions asked.
A playground argument can turn into online bullying as quickly as a middle-schooler can whip out his or her Blackberry. Immature children shouldn't have profiles on social networking sites to begin with, but the ones who do should be monitored.
Online bullying and all forms of libel can affect anyone. College students are at risk as well. Spreading rumors and untrue gossip is hurtful, and taking it online can spread lies quickly with the help of live feeds and text message Tweet alerts. The law should be able to protect victims, regardless of whether the libelous statements appear in print or in a Tweet. The Internet is a useful tool and shouldn't become a weapon. Make good decisions online.
Fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir is suing musician Courtney Love for libel after Love claimed Simorangkir is a cocaine dealer on Twitter. Love was apparently upset about a money dispute over how much she should pay Simorangkir for designing services when she tweeted the post, according to a Nov. 17 CNN.com article.
Anger and frustration is no excuse to post libelous information on the Internet. Facebook and Twitter allow users as young as 13 years old to use their sites, and anyone younger than 13 with the arithmetic skills to fake their birth year can get an account, no questions asked.
A playground argument can turn into online bullying as quickly as a middle-schooler can whip out his or her Blackberry. Immature children shouldn't have profiles on social networking sites to begin with, but the ones who do should be monitored.
Online bullying and all forms of libel can affect anyone. College students are at risk as well. Spreading rumors and untrue gossip is hurtful, and taking it online can spread lies quickly with the help of live feeds and text message Tweet alerts. The law should be able to protect victims, regardless of whether the libelous statements appear in print or in a Tweet. The Internet is a useful tool and shouldn't become a weapon. Make good decisions online.
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