Cyberbullying and e-vigilantes: The tragic Megan Meier case

By now you have probably heard or read something about the cyber-bullying mom who caused a young girl down the street to commit suicide.  13-year-old Megan Meier took her own life in October 2006 after being befriended and then rejected by a “cute guy” she met online.  The guy turned out to be a fictitious account set up and monitored by an area woman who wanted to find out what Megan was saying about her daughter.  Prosecutors say that no crime has been committed and no charges will be filed.

A clear case for vigilante cyber-justice, right?  Not so fast…

First, consider the easily-forgotten truth that the reported facts can be miles off target.  Whenever I have seen a news story written or taped about something I’m involved in, I am usually amazed at the inaccuracy. 

Second, think about the dangers of mob justice, especially the internet variety where we can all throw rocks from safely behind our firewalls.  Wired has an excellent article on this very topic, which includes some chilling stories of past cyber-mobs-gone-bad as well as a few recent efforts to shame this meddling mother. 

Megan Meier’s tragic end makes my blood steam.  Her death is one of a thousand illustrations you could find today of our vital social need for justice.  And yet…

The things Jesus said about loving our enemies, treating others as we want to be treated, and refusing to cast stones - they don’t seem to make sense at first.  But dig deeper and see that his ways are best.

November 24, 2007 · Filed Under Culture, Web

Comments

One Response to “Cyberbullying and e-vigilantes: The tragic Megan Meier case”

  1. JEFFREY BUTLER on November 24th, 2007 3:47 pm

    Create an e-annoyance, go to jail” makes it clear that anonymous blogging about another person is now a Felony if it annoys them:

    “In other words, it’s OK to flame someone on a mailing list or in a blog as long as you do it under your real name.”

    This new legislation heralds the end of the anonymous blogger, who hides behind their anonymity to post false and defamatory statements about individuals. Diffinetion of

    Cyberstalking laws in the USA have made it clear that internet harassment and defamation are serious offenses. Here are some US laws that are being used to prosecute internet harassment, invasion of privacy and defamation:

    *

    “It is the policy of the United States — to ensure vigorous enforcement of Federal criminal laws to deter and punish trafficking in obscenity, stalking, and harassment by means of computer”. (see 47 U.S.C. § 230(b)(5))

    *

    “Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person’s family or household with the intent to abuse, annoy, threaten, terrify, harass, or embarrass.” (see North Carolina Code §14-169.3(b)(3))

    *

    Federal law 47 U.S.C. § 223(a)(1)(C) penalizes whoever:

    (1) in interstate or foreign communications-

    (C) makes a telephone call or utilizes a telecommunications device, whether or not conversation or communication ensues, without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number or who receives the communications.

    definetion of annoyance
    # irritation: the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
    # anger produced by some annoying irritation
    # aggravator: an unpleasant person who is annoying or exasperating
    # something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness; “washing dishes was a nuisance before we got a dish washer”; “a bit of a bother”; “he’s not a friend, he’s an infliction”
    # the act of troubling or annoying someone .
    My agency has cases pending in federal court in Oklahoma. One of my agents told me that the law is exactly as it is wriiten and the term annoy is taken as it is written in the dictionary to me just that by the FBI.

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