Bully Web Site Lands Missouri Teen in Jail
Cyber-bullying has become a major issue around the world. Teens across the U.S. and across the pond in Europe find themselves constantly faced with this new form of harassment. But if we had to pick one place as the epicenter of this disturbing new trend it would be Missouri. The home state of Megan Meier, a girl who committed suicide just before her 14th birthday as a result of being bullied on MySpace, was one of the first to pass anti-cyber-bullying legislation and to expand local harassment laws to cover digital communications. Since the passage of that law, several high-profile cases have come out of the state, including one that involved a 21-year-old woman sending threatening and vulgar text messages to a 17-year-old girl. Now, the state has another cyber-bullying incident garnering national attention. A ninth-grade girl from the town of Troy has been arrested for creating a Web site dedicated to harassing and mocking a fellow student.
The site, which has been taken down, included the victim's name followed by "c**t.com." [Ed. note: Even we won't print that word.] The site featured photos of the target, along with several posts (all made anonymously, of course) disparaging her friends, calling her a slut, and saying she "would be better off if she just died." School district authorities were alarmed by the comments on the site when it was discovered, and quickly involved the local sheriff last Thursday. Lincoln County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Andy Binder told Wired, "The website had very troublesome things posted on it by an individual who obviously had a dislike for the other female in the school."
Investigators were able to track down the creator of the site by talking to other students whose names appeared on it. The girl confessed to creating the page and was sent to a juvenile detention center. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it's not clear whether or not the girl will face any criminal charges, but her school, The Troy Buchanan Ninth Grade Center, has already taken disciplinary measures. Federal law prohibits the disclosure of what the punishment is, but the school does have a strict no-bullying policy. April Huddleston, a spokeswoman for Lincoln County R-III School District, told Wired that possible penalties include expulsion.
Even though such digital torment seems to be growing in popularity, bullies will learn quickly that there is no such thing as true anonymity on the Internet. If you decide to take your harassment online, you will be caught. And, thanks to several high-profile cases, to paraphrase Apple, there's a law for that. [From: Wired and St. Louis Post Dispatch]
Facebook Crime and Punishment
Blackmail
Sending any personal info or incriminating pictures to someone on Facebook is a huge mistake for many reasons. One of the worst possible outcomes is getting blackmailed for money, sex, or, well, anything these sickos dream up. Really, whether they're using a fake profile or not, it's a horrible idea. Read up on the story of an 18-year-old who blackmailed 31 male classmates after he posed as a girl and asked for nude pictures. That's lesson enough.
Impostors
Sure, it can be harmless to impersonate a celeb online or create a fake profile for a movie character. But seriously, there's a definite line you shouldn't cross when pretending to be someone else and it can lead to dire consequences for you. Maybe it's not as extreme as the Moroccan man who was jailed for 43 days after creating a fake Facebook profile of a prince, but you never know. Just steer clear of it.
Self-Incrimination
Do we really have to explain this? Just look up the shoplifter who posed with her stolen merchandise, the many photos of drunk underage teens, and, most recently, the album featuring a couple who killed and ate an endangered iguana in the Bahamas.
Suicide
Social networking sites has been blamed for a lot of things, fairly and unfairly, but in our opinion, the worst offense has been their indirect involvement in suicides. Obviously, there are a lot of factors responsible in each case, but there does seem to be links between social networking and a rash of suicides, and obviously tehre's the case tragic of Megan Meier, who killed herself after a classmate's mom impersonated a teen boy and harassed her over Myspace.
Murder
We've reported on numerous incidents of people getting in trouble because of their online behavior. Now, people are becoming victims because of what they're doing on the Web too. In England, a man was convicted of murdering his estranged wife after she changed her relationship status to "single." So, be careful of who can see your profile and what you're doing, no matter how harmless it seems.
Nigerian Scammers
Oh, you thought this only happened via poorly worded emails, right? WRONG. Once people got wise to their old ways, these con men are turning to social networking sites for new targets. This time, they're hacking into people's accounts and impersonating them to ask for money, usually with some weird sob story. You can check out a transcript of one of these conversations here.
Cooperation
Even if the law isn't on a case, a victim, his friends, or empathetic strangers might be. Since it's easy to get word out for anything online, people are using blogs, forums, and social networking sites to help track down criminals. In one such case, a vehicle thief was tracked down by a bunch of anonymous car enthusiasts after the victim posted his story on a forum. In the end, they identified the guy through his Facebook profile.
Self-Incrimination
Do we really have to explain this? Just look up the shoplifter who posed with her stolen merchandise, the many photos of drunk underage teens, and, most recently, the album featuring a couple who killed and ate an endangered iguana in the Bahamas.





Disney World Scammers Scored Four Years of Free Vacations
Stranger's Kiss Keeps 16-Year-Old From Committing Suicide
Rookie Cop Reportedly Berated, Called 'A Rat' For Arresting Off-Duty Officer
Walmart Ending Membership in Conservative Group
How I Went Bankrupt at 23
Can a New Guy Save Best Buy?
Woman Claims Kangaroo Stalked Her for 2 Days, Then Attacked
Facebook, Week Two: Fortunes Made and Fortunes Lost (Mostly Lost)
Pete Cosey Dead: Chicago Guitar Great and Miles Davis Collaborator Dies at 68
A Journey To The Hottest Place On Earth: Dallol Ethiopia














Comments
228
Subscribe to commentsgregOct 18th 2009 10:39AM
this is a good way to work on your english, but you have a long way to go before english speakers will understand your text.
theateam2Oct 18th 2009 10:43AM
Greg,
Why not you wanna to be President of USA? Too late for you because everyone knows your words arleady threat. That everyone will not vote you for becoming President of USA.
Sorry for your lost of your second thought. Therefore, You should realized how people felt about your words were threat.
End of discussion.
Thanks.
gregOct 18th 2009 10:48AM
there is a rule here in the states about presidency, you must be born wealthy, a male, attend private schools as a kid, and ivy league for college. Honest hard working people need not apply.
Recap55115Oct 18th 2009 10:49AM
Here's how we solve the cyber-bullying dilemma. When someone is convicted of cyber-bullying, they're name and picture go on a "I'm a cyber-bully" website. On the site a place where people can write disparaging things about them. Give the bullies' a taste of their own medicine.
If you're tough enough to dish it out, you're tough enough to take it.
gregOct 18th 2009 10:53AM
There it is, the perfect solution.
nana7Oct 18th 2009 10:52AM
When lies are written on the internet, other people read these posts and form an opinion of you.. There are sites out there that post lies then encourage their "special members" to call and threaten innocent people and children. To go to therir homes and harrass them.. No help from law enforcement or media...they are afraid of these groups..
As far as schools are concerned, go to a teacher you know and trust.. They will help.. Because of this teacher, law enforcement got envolved, they viewed a note, talked to other students, and viewed school video. The student was expelled and possible jail time.. The parents are upset because someone reported their lil angel..
Don't believe when schools say they are bully free.. The guidence councler makes a notation in students file, principle brushes it under the rug..
theateam2Oct 18th 2009 11:24AM
GREG,
I will dare to report police about if you still threat me more. IF you don't care about me and you will realize at the end that I was born deaf. my first language is American Sign Language and my second language is English! There is the law of American Disability Act law that you threat me that my english language aren't perfect and You are broke that law! You didn't realize at the end of that kind of law since 1990. You are not allow to threat deaf people who has problem with English Grammer! You are such worse dang crazy man! Go to hell!
End of Discussion!
Thanks and if you still not cooperation of my words and I will call before too late for you.
KateOct 18th 2009 11:20AM
If an adult did things like this, they'd be arrested for things like harassment, defamination of character, battery and possibly assault. why should we let children do that then? so that they think that they can do whatever they want? no. they should be taught that every action has a consequence. The first amendment was created so people who had an opinion that was different than the majoritys would be able to voice it and express themselves, no so people could make websites and myspaces dedicated to insulting and emotionally hurting someone.
gregOct 18th 2009 10:57AM
sorry, my guess was blind. I didnt know being deaf was such a hinderance to typing. I apologize, you can call whomever you want, but if you cant express yourself properly with english, then how do you claim to understand what I am writing perfectly. Maybe it is you who took my words out of context.
LotteOct 19th 2009 1:48AM
Gred, I think it's time for you to ignore this "theateam2" person. IMOP, this person is jerking everyone's chain, and is deliberately typing in extremely poor english. Allegedly being born deaf and ASL being their "first language" is NOT the reason for the bad english. All good schools for the deaf would have taught correct english for their use in typing/writing, whatever. They would have been taught how to interact with the rest of us (even though there are many deaf who feel they have their own world and do not want to be part of the hearing world).
And now, "theateam2", feel free to start harrassing me also...I'm sure you will. But I am going to ignore you, so be ready for that.
turougeOct 18th 2009 10:57AM
This is a clear example of post modern parenting. If the parents had any control over their child or had instilled any sense of morality or values, the kid would not have done it. Simple as that. Discipline the kid..............discipline the parents. You have to have a license to have a dog......maybe we should start licensing parents too.
nana7Oct 18th 2009 10:58AM
When lies are written on the internet, other people read these posts and form an opinion of you.. There are sites out there that post lies then encourage their "special members" to call and threaten innocent people and children. To go to therir homes and harrass them.. No help from law enforcement or media...they are afraid of these groups..
As far as schools are concerned, go to a teacher you know and trust.. They will help.. Because of this teacher, law enforcement got envolved, they viewed a note, talked to other students, and viewed school video. The student was expelled and possible jail time.. The parents are upset because someone reported their lil angel..
Don't believe when schools say they are bully free.. The guidence councler makes a notation in students file, principle brushes it under the rug..
GreenchileOct 18th 2009 11:01AM
Greg, you are a total unmitigated idiot!!!! I know you think you are a "bad ass" but you really come across as a pathetic loser.
theateam2Oct 18th 2009 11:02AM
Greg,
You go to hell because there is bible book that said in old testament Levitous said that God said, " if you threat(curse) to deaf or blind person." You forgot about that in old testament. God is already witness of your threat words. It's too late for you. I am still not accept your apologize. You just did hurt my feelings so much on this kind threat. I never forget you.
JSDOct 18th 2009 10:28PM
Greg,
It seems you are not looking at the whole picture. This is NOT a case where people are saying things about you online, people you do not see in your everyday life, people you wouldn't know if they where standing right next to you. In that situation no one should care or become upset, it would be ridiculous! This is something totally different. Not only do the people target someone, but that someone has to see them on a daily basis, ie. school, and if you think it stops at the school door, think again. Do you seriously believe that someone who would go to great lengths to create a website in which the main purpose is to make someone else's life miserable would walk by that very same person and say nothing? If so, you are very naive. You can't forget we are talking about kids here, kids that are young, vulnerable, and some still trying to find their way, it is our responsibility to protect them. What they are experiencing is called harassment, which is illegal, and rightfully so! Before you ask, yes I am the mother of two sons. No, neither of them had any problems with bullies. My kids weren't little angels, nor would I want them to be, they did what every kid does..test the limits. Those limits did not include bullying, why? If you look a little deeper you will find most bullies have some major issues of their own. Their bullying is an attempt to put their pain on someone else. Bullying has to be brought to our attention, not only to help the victim, but also the bully. These kinds of things can get ugly real fast, and can lead to some devastating circumstances. As has been noted in the past.
nana7Oct 18th 2009 11:04AM
When lies are written on the internet, other people read these posts and form an opinion of you.. There are sites out there that post lies then encourage their "special members" to call and threaten innocent people and children. To go to therir homes and harrass them.. No help from law enforcement or media...they are afraid of these groups..
As far as schools are concerned, go to a teacher you know and trust.. They will help.. Because of this teacher, law enforcement got envolved, they viewed a note, talked to other students, and viewed school video. The student was expelled and possible jail time.. The parents are upset because someone reported their lil angel..
Don't believe when schools say they are bully free.. The guidence councler makes a notation in students file, principle brushes it under the rug..
christoseOct 18th 2009 11:09AM
Hey.From the postings seems that is a great problem with people understanding what constitutes FREE SPEECH.Most people are confused what words really mean.By the way this is not a joke or trying to be smart.Try it you self.Ask people if the US is a democracy most likely you will be answered yes.Wrong the US is a republic.There is difference there.Now anyone that posts anything UNTRUE with the INTENT to HARM an other person is criminal and IS NOT COVERED under the spirit of free speech.People like most of us that value the Internet and the platform it provides for expressing our selves, have to make sure that these criminals get thrown out of the system and get prosecuted before the authorities step in.
These forums have WAY more power than the main street media had ever had during its long existence.What I'm saying here we the people are in control and we owe it to our selves to keep the HOUSE CLEAN
davidOct 18th 2009 11:09AM
There is a difference between free speach rights and codes of conduct rules. Does your freedom of speech rights allow you to call your boss an asshole and retain your job . NO. Yes you have the right to speak. but be aware that what you say and who you say it to may have consequences. Primarily the right to free speach deals with the rights of citizens to speak out against their government without fear of retaliation. Does not give you the right to be vulgar , demeaning , hateful , or cause harm to others intentionally through speach. Doing so only shows how ignorant and or stupid you are.
patsyOct 18th 2009 11:12AM
Just this past Friday a 12 year old boy in town took his own life. The parents went to school and nothing was done. I hope the kids live a long life of guilt.
browneyes04047Oct 18th 2009 11:14AM
Wow Greg, obviously you have a severe case of egoism. Just because you can spell a few words correctly you think you have the right to demean someone else's intelligence???? I hope you know English is not the only damn language out there, and for bullying you honestly feel that slander and verbal abuse is freedom of speech???? I cannot stand people who are so retarded that they take such a right so literally, you may have the right to voice your opinion but when it interferes and attacks the well being of another human being, you are not only being cruel but ignorant as well, people who bully have little empathy or understanding outside of their tiny little box they call the world, and if less of you existed things such as racism and bigotry would not be as big an issue.