Comments on: Cyber Bullies: Former High School Student Sues Other Students, Parents, and Facebook for Trash Talk

By: A.

A. — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:26:28 +0000

Any idiot who is bullying is probably the biggest coward. This person needs to display physical strength because internally he is a quivering fool and feels unsure of himself inside. So really it is sort of humiliating for the bullies because they’re letting everyone know that they have to compensate somehow for the little “pe–s” between their legs. If he was a true confident guy, he wouldn’t need to prove anything at all.

By: Mike Appleton

Mike Appleton — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:39:13 +0000

The claim against Facebook will fail, and rightly so. The claims against the students and their parents can be pursued under traditional common law tort theories of libel, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress. I believe that a few well-publicized lawsuits based on good facts is one of the best ways to deal with tortious behavior over the internet.

By: ncacblog

ncacblog — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:31:47 +0000

It seems unlikely that Finkel will be able to hold Facebook responsible for the content Facebook users created.

There’s a legal analysis of this case at the National Coalition Against Censorship blog:

http://ncacblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/woman-sues-facebook-over-user-generated-content/

By: Mike Spindell

Mike Spindell — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:37:15 +0000

With a red-face I must admit to being on Facebook. I joined because of a movement to make Sam Seder the host of MSNBC’s 10:00pm time slot. Last night I spent 15 minutes there looking up old acquaintances and lovers that I had no wish to communicate with. I can see how people could become caught up in it, but frankly it bores me silly.

In truth I think that all these sites represent the infant stage of our culture to be, for better or worse. I admit that it is a cultural revolution that I have no wish to take part in any more than I’d have a Blackberry or IPhone. This is more a comment on my age and sensibility rather than on those who use them, like Buddha. I don’t want THAT much contact with my friends, loved ones and financial state. My cellphone is for emergencies, not palaver.

With the case at hand on its’ face the conduct of the four former students is reprehensible. However, isn’t this an example of libel and is that, or can that be the basis of the law suit? Cases like this are going to assume more importance as our future of total communication takes hold. Guidelines need to be established, but as an admitted non-participant in the total IT revolution I have no idea what they should be.

M.Spindell, curmudgeon in training.

By: Gyges

Gyges — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:25:55 +0000

As a brief defense of Facebook and Myspace: both get used by musicians as free starter web pages. Most of the groups I play with have a regular web page, and one on either of those two sites. These are professional groups, one of which (a big band) specializes in society gigs. You just can never have enough publicity.

I do think that JT hit the nail on the head, this kind of vicious gossip went on long before the internet was around, but has mutated into something worse. I think that web-pages tend to lengthen the rumors shelf life, also seeing something in writing seems to add validity to it that might not otherwise exist.

By: Sally

Sally — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:30:40 +0000

They are rather silly.
My niece is constantly updating her facebook and myspace status from her cell phone. I just want to chuck her phone out the window and run over the darn thing

By: Buddha Is Laughing

Buddha Is Laughing — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:24:12 +0000

lol

Not only “no”, but “never”. And MySpace? Fuggedaboudit! No one is interested, least of all me, about my status on changing the cat liter. Well . . . the cats are interested but they don’t need a computer to tell me when the box is dirty. Besides, without thumbs, their typing skills are pretty deficient.

By: Sally

Sally — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:53:54 +0000

Sure Buddha…that’s why you sent me a request to be your friend the other day!! It’s okay to admit that you have a Facebook page!!

By: Buddha Is Laughing

Buddha Is Laughing — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:41:21 +0000

Facebook is ridiculous.

That is all I have to say about that.