We shall soon have an answer. The Supreme Court is tackling this issue as we speak. In the case up for review, a Pennsylvania man posted threats of domestic violence against his wife after she left him. The court is now reviewing the matter to determine what type of online speech is protected. Does a threat made online, such as on Facebook, count as a threat that can lead to criminal charges?
There is also a case out of Texas in the Texas court system dealing with a man who is awaiting trial on terroristic threats stemming from a comment he made on Facebook. The 18 year old man enjoys playing League of Legends. He ended up in a verbal dispute with another player who said he was dangerous and crazy. The 18 year old responded that he was going to "shoot up a kindergarten [...] and watch the blood of innocent rain down [...] and eat the beating heart of one of them." These online comments landed him in jail with a $500k bail.
What is the line that we draw when it comes to what people write online? How much free speech carries to online comments in a world where events like Sandy Hook continue to happen. We shall soon see.
There is also a case out of Texas in the Texas court system dealing with a man who is awaiting trial on terroristic threats stemming from a comment he made on Facebook. The 18 year old man enjoys playing League of Legends. He ended up in a verbal dispute with another player who said he was dangerous and crazy. The 18 year old responded that he was going to "shoot up a kindergarten [...] and watch the blood of innocent rain down [...] and eat the beating heart of one of them." These online comments landed him in jail with a $500k bail.
What is the line that we draw when it comes to what people write online? How much free speech carries to online comments in a world where events like Sandy Hook continue to happen. We shall soon see.
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