DISQUS

a public defender: Lori Drew indicted in Myspace hoax suicide (updated) | a public defender

  • Karoli · 1 year ago
    Here's what bothers me. An adult, with full knowledge of Megan Meier's ADHD and depression, stalked this child and harassed her with no intention other than to punish her for perceived slights against her daughter.

    Had she done such a thing in real time, or hired someone to do it, she would have been subject to stalking and/or harassment laws, but because she hid behind the curtain of the internet, she was able to play the evil puppeteer with absolutely no accountability.

    It doesn't make me happy to have her brought up on 'technicalities', but it does give me some measure of satisfaction to put idiots on notice about bad internet behavior, particularly with respect to MySpace, which I see as nothing more than a cesspool of teenage drama and angst.
  • Gideon · 1 year ago
    No doubt there's something very wrong with what she did, but the problem is that the use of this law opens several dangerous doors. I mean, how many times have we provided false information while registering? There's a website dedicated to that.

    I think the Meier's best remedy might lie in a civil suit.

    It also goes to show that laws of some states are woefully inadequate in dealing with the internet revolution and problems associated with interaction over the web.
  • A Voice of Sanity · 1 year ago
    I presume that the Meier parents bought the computer and the Internet service. Perhaps it could be argued that they bear more responsibility then the accused. Certainly it appears that the parents failed to teach this unfortunate child the most important lesson about the Internet: "On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog" (http://www.unc.edu/depts/jomc/academics/dri/ido...). No truer words ever spoken.
  • KenS · 1 year ago
    May I ask what you suggest?

    Do you at least feel that people shouldn't be allowed to create false identities online with the intention of harming others? I mean, isn’t that how/why cowboys and “outlaws” and “gangsters” created aliases? I can’t go to the DMV and assume a fake identity, why should I be allowed to online – especially with the intent of harassment.
  • A Voice of Sanity · 1 year ago
    You are walking into very difficult territory here. The police do this, they will even deceive witnesses not just suspects. The state does this, they will create entire identities for actual criminals as a reward for testimony. Many people do this online, no one wants to be 'dooced' for their postings. People who want to discuss sexuality, religion, politics without repercussions do this and with good reason.

    I regard the Internet as a giant bazaar in a foreign country with few rules. You can't make it safe enough for children, and it is as neglectful of parents to let children use it unsupervised as it would be to drop them off in a foreign country unsupervised. It isn't a family friendly TV station, it is the wild west of information, good and bad.

    “On the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog” -- or a predator of any sort.