Jail Time for Online Trolls

[Aureity 3,055]

Sigh...although some trolls do go too far, I daresay the majority of internet trolls don't cross the line into "cyber bullying". The intent of trolling is to provoke and enrage someone, not threaten or bully them.

[Strafe 594]

This is taking it too far. Trolls wouldn't exist if people didn't cry about them.

[Dark Qiviut 22,392]

There are a couple of big problems with Arizona's new bill:

 

1. The ambiguity. The purpose for this bill is to severely cut down on the cyberbullying, one of the biggest dangers of the Internet. However, the way they worded it can mean this law can become easily abused and infringing on the 1st Amendment of the Constitution should the user live in the U.S. at the time of the trolling.

 

2. The anonymity. IP addresses can be altered, thereby masking where the user is really coming from.

 

I'm definitely all for cutting down on cyber-bullying, but the wording is terribly vague and can really do more harm than good. The lawmakers showed a lack of understanding the Internet/social media "culture" via the bull's poor writing.

 

As for the video in the OP, that man deserves jail time; he crossed the line into harassing and making the dead girl's parents' lives miserable. A shame the maximum sentence, if convicted, will only be one-third of a calendar year, because he should go to jail for at least half of a year if not longer.

[M14Brony 92]

Actually, members of the Westboro Baptist Church face jail time if they contact the members of the deceased soldiers or go anywhere near the actual funerals.

 

I see. Nevertheless, their hate filled messages can still be seen by the bereaved at the funeral. Of course, I will reiterate that I disagree with WBC being able to spread such hatred, but at the same time, from a legal point of view, if they can get away with doing that, an internet troll targeted by such legislation could, in theory, easily file an appeal and get a favorable result. I don't see how anypony can expect such legislation to stand and go unchallenged.

 

I am also irritated by Asperger's Syndrome being used as a crutch, as it fuels negative stereotypes about people with Asperger's Syndrome (myself included). The autism spectrum is wide and has so many variations that it quite frankly is not fair to lump us all together in one group at times.

Edited May 14, 2012 by M14Brony

[Proctra Music 335]

LMAO "Fell asleep on the tracks."

[Croaks 251]

Not sure if serious law,

 

or master troll scheme...

[Nah 3,182]

Oh, I love how they said Asperger's syndrome is a "mental disorder", first off, it is not! (I have asperger's myself) Pretty soon everybody will assume all Aspies are trolls. Nice evidence to plea to insanity!

[Mr. Wobbels 664]

One word:

[Starshine 16,333]

Not really. If you can at least trace the ISP the troll used, you can still get his location, no matter what kind of proxies and browser he used.

 

Eh. Good thing I never stayed in one location for more than six months. Nomad life ftw

[NavelColt 22,879]

Welcome to Arizona, the home of laws that have been crazy since forever.

[Love4discord18 269]

That's stupid. That's almost like saying you'll be sent to jail for watching porn online.

[goldenHoof 49]

Aaaaah

 

I think that's to much .

 

No I don't like it

[willinilly 134]

seriously, they just attempt to get a rise out of people and that's exactly what they've done...

Edited May 14, 2012 by willinilly

[Chill Mists (Chilly) 801]

Ppfffffffffffffff hahahahaha! That actually made me laugh. Oh wow. That's stupid.

[Evilshy 5,090]

Oh Arizona, you so silly.

This is going to be hilarious when absolutely nothing happens.

[Deidre Asada 163]

[Jokuc 8,173]

Meh, old news are old...

 

Anyways I think they have done the right thing. I could pay money if this law was applied for the whole world. It's one of the best laws ever! *trollface*

[NavelColt 22,879]

Responding to this only because I remember seeing this as a topic on another forum, back when this wasn't such old news.

 

As has been said before, this is Arizona. Practically everything they do law-wise has some degree of face-palm to it.

 

Trolling (usually) is utterly anonymous, and they're just trying to get you worked up online, that's all. Harassing (often) has in-person variables as well. Not to say you can't be harassed purely online by a complete stranger, of course, but that's basically the difference. Trolling is usually more widespread and non-personal, while harassing is often personal. That said, I can see the good intent in this law, but like basically all things Governments seem to do, the idea is good, but the execution and practice of the idea is horrible.

Edited May 18, 2012 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[Finesthour 7,287]

The American Government- Trying to control our way of life for years.

[ScottishUnicorn 284]

Hah that's cute, any smart troll would use a proxy or something to cover his path. Besides what's the point, wow he made someone over the internet angry, deal with it.

[Anachronous 682]

haha No, by no means should this be a law. If it takes a law to prevent people from being shitty to one another, medium notwithstanding, then there's something terribly wrong somewhere.

 

The American Government- Trying to control our way of life for years.

 

haha oh wow

 

None of these bills would be passed if people voted correctly. We live under a representative democracy... ergo, again, none of these bills would be suggested - let alone passed - if not for people voting those representatives, who then suggest and ratify these laws, into office.

 

The issue is with shitty people, not a shitty legislature. Not enough of us are educated.

Edited May 20, 2012 by Veecèiri