[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

You should actually try reading my posts for once Kizzy instead of getting caught up on one sentence and ignoring the rest, I've not said a single thing all thread to defend the man in question. Everything I've said has been against the fact that the police was bought in to handle on what should have been an admin issue. You would know that if you actually read what I was saying.

The internet isn't a breeding ground for abuse, you're just letting yourself believe that because you are buying into the stories that are highlighting a small minority. The fact that it's a vocal minority doesn't change the fact that it's still a minority. In the long run they affect very little and wasting police time when there's actual crimes to be dealt with is just plain dumb.

I did read it,stop trying to pick me up on things please due to the fact I don't share your view.
I disagree with your admin solving what is a police matter, that's the point.
It may be a small minority but if it stops the rot then that is good in MY eyes. The harassment people suffer in person or over the phone is accepted as abuse why is the internet any different?
My point is not with freedom of speech it's with abuse wherever it occurs.

[Jessica.]

If everything that might offend someone was removed from the internet, then the internet as we know it would not exist. The main point that people have been trying to make is that trolls can be reported to website admin and blocked so that they never bother you again. it's so simple to understand, more saddos will probably use this fake news as a way to gain attention for themselves too, it's an endless cycle, the more attention you give the trolls the worse they get. On that note, my opinion doesn't seem to be getting anywhere in this thread so I'm going to stop now.

[Kizzy]

If you had the same scenario as this but over the phone would you contact your phone provider or the police?

[Jessica.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

If you had the same scenario as this but over the phone would you contact your phone provider or the police?

My father is dead, if someone rang me pretending to be his ghost I would not think it was a crime, I would know it's a desperate person looking for a reaction. I would do the obvious thing and block the number, I'd hear no more from them and all would be well.

[michael21]

Originally Posted by Jessica‪

My father is dead, if someone rang me pretending to be his ghost I would not think it was a crime, I would know it's a desperate person looking for a reaction. I would do the obvious thing and block the number, I'd hear no more from them and all would be well.

what if there send you letters

[GypsyGoth]

Maybe if this guy receives a prison sentence it might stop the next few internet trolls who think it might be a good idea to harass a bereaved family member.

I do hope he gets locked up and I'm glad the police have taken it seriously.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Jessica‪

My father is dead, if someone rang me pretending to be his ghost I would not think it was a crime, I would know it's a desperate person looking for a reaction. I would do the obvious thing and block the number, I'd hear no more from them and all would be well.

my point was it's against the law (Malicious Communications Act 1993) nobody should have to put up with it.

[Marsh.]

It's not really freedom of speech.

If he was sending hateful letters through the post or shouting abuse at her in the street, would that be classed as freedom of speech? No, he'd be done for harassment.

Harassment on the internet should be taken just as seriously.

It's not about removing everything offensive from the internet but prosecuting those who are deliberately targeting people to the point it is having an effect.

[Kizzy]

it's got nothing to do with 'freedom of speech' at all either really, you can't argue that a person has more right to abuse someone than another has to be protected from abuse.

[Kizzy]

It is a crime, that's my point, whether or not you think it's not as important as other crimes is irrelevant.

[Firewire]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

It is a crime, that's my point, whether or not you think it's not as important as other crimes is irrelevant.

Calling someone a tart is a punishable crime?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Firewire

Calling someone a tart is a punishable crime?

I'm discussing the issue raised by the OP not the scenario dezzy described.

[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

It is a crime, that's my point, whether or not you think it's not as important as other crimes is irrelevant.

It's barely a crime, the 'laws' regarding online abuse are defined loosely and are rarely enforced outside of the occasional high profile case that's essentially a performance by the justice system for the media.

It's impossible to enforce properly which is why it isn't enforced on a typical basis and why (I'm repeating myself AGAIN) Admins should take care of online abuse problems since it'll get taken care of faster without wasting taxpayer money.

You can't really fix the flawed online laws without potentially opening them up for abuse by the powers that be and it's not practical to enforce them on a regular basis so they are pointless. A better law would be that websites like Twitter must have an Admin team that's up to snuff to deal with Abuse issues. It would allow websites to police themselves without wasting Police time.

[Kizzy]

There's no barely about it it is a crime, if twitter was capable of policing itself then why isn't it? There have been 100s of cases of teen suicide, death and rape threats to women, racial abuse and attacks on the families of deceased children as highlighted here by kazanne.
In my opinion regulation is well overdue.

[Ninastar]

after a really really tough week at home here, I can give an honest and real response to this.

My sister has been cyber bullied over the past few days and has gotten very down because of it. We're having her sectioned at a hospital down south because she's been very effected by what they said. They mentioned things like finding out about where she lives and killing her/her family, mentioning and making fun of our dead cat (like another member on here did to me...) and so much worse. We are all exhausted. It's been so tough seeing someone so distressed.

Now I read an article like this and honestly? You shouldn't get arrested for saying what you 'think'

These people do it to cause a big fuss. They absolutely love the attention of upsetting/pissing people off. We have a few of them here on tibb. My ignore list has never been so full...

Do I think there is a difference between cyberbulling and trolling on twitter?

Yes, a massive one. We are getting the police involved with our issue because threats are being made. Just like if they were in real life.

If this twitter was making death threats or something similar, then I could totally understand the arrest. He's just a loser with no life trying to stir up trouble.

I do think there should be more regulation and there should be classes given to all schools/colleges/youth clubs whatever and kids need to be told about what these people are really trying to do (cause a reaction).

Ignoring is the way forward.

So many people don't realise until they actually grow up that if someone is constantly harassing you, you just need to totally ignore it. Especially on the internet where it's even more possible to block someone from contacting you.

I can totally understand if James' mum was upset by the twitter account. But I'm sure she's learnt by now to ignore it. Whatever this total **** may be, he shouldn't get arrested for being a dick.

[Ammi]

..I'm so sorry to hear about your sister Caitlin...it is being covered more at schools now and starting at primary school level with parents included...unfortunately we ourselves don't get a very good response/participation from parents but I hope that will change in the future...

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I'm so sorry to hear about your sister Caitlin...it is being covered more at schools now and starting at primary school level with parents included...unfortunately we ourselves don't get a very good response/participation from parents but I hope that will change in the future...

Thanks ammi

But yeah I think that is exactly one of the problems. Parents should care about protecting their kids from the Internet. I remember when I wasn't allowed on the computer unless a parent was in the room. I hardly ever see that now.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

after a really really tough week at home here, I can give an honest and real response to this.

My sister has been cyber bullied over the past few days and has gotten very down because of it. We're having her sectioned at a hospital down south because she's been very effected by what they said. They mentioned things like finding out about where she lives and killing her/her family, mentioning and making fun of our dead cat (like another member on here did to me...) and so much worse. We are all exhausted. It's been so tough seeing someone so distressed.

Now I read an article like this and honestly? You shouldn't get arrested for saying what you 'think'

These people do it to cause a big fuss. They absolutely love the attention of upsetting/pissing people off. We have a few of them here on tibb. My ignore list has never been so full...

Do I think there is a difference between cyberbulling and trolling on twitter?

Yes, a massive one. We are getting the police involved with our issue because threats are being made. Just like if they were in real life.

If this twitter was making death threats or something similar, then I could totally understand the arrest. He's just a loser with no life trying to stir up trouble.

I do think there should be more regulation and there should be classes given to all schools/colleges/youth clubs whatever and kids need to be told about what these people are really trying to do (cause a reaction).

Ignoring is the way forward.

So many people don't realise until they actually grow up that if someone is constantly harassing you, you just need to totally ignore it. Especially on the internet where it's even more possible to block someone from contacting you.

I can totally understand if James' mum was upset by the twitter account. But I'm sure she's learnt by now to ignore it. Whatever this total **** may be, he shouldn't get arrested for being a dick.

I hope she can move on from this, and I hope the cyberbully is exposed and convicted in your case and in the case in the OP too.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Josy

I disagree that what this man done was 'Freedom of Speech' he intentionally created that twitter account with the sole purpose of inflicting abuse on this family.

If anything what this idiot done would be described in law as nearer to a 'hate' speech which is speech, gesture, conduct or writing, that disparages or intimidates or incites violence etc

But even calling it any kind of speech is reaching IMO, he set out to do one thing and that was to deliberately cause distress to the child's mother and family.

I don't see how censorship comes into at all, if he was giving his opinion on something then fair enough I could understand the freedom of speech/censorship argument but no he was just being a 100% nasty git for the sake of causing hurt to others.

Absolutely right, I am not in favour of internet censorship but when people are found to be doing things like this,they should face the consequences for their deliberate actions.
I try to imagine these things in the context of what if it was my child or nephew or niece had been taken,tortured and murdered and left to rot,then some daft cracker comes along and sets up something saying it is the ghost/spirit of the murdered child.
I would really be going off it and demanding action.

How sick is that,it should be a crime and he should be punished,in fact he shouldn't be allowed on the internet again.
The worst part of this he is over 60, we are not even talking about a child/teen here.

If something is reported to the police, they generally have to investigate, if they can find something to charge someone with then so be it and I hope they do in this case.
This person is vile to prey on peoples grief and the torment they have already suffered since little Jamie's horrific and despicable murder.

I would have not an ounce of sympathy for this idiot that set out deliberately to bring more distress to James family.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

after a really really tough week at home here, I can give an honest and real response to this.

My sister has been cyber bullied over the past few days and has gotten very down because of it. We're having her sectioned at a hospital down south because she's been very effected by what they said. They mentioned things like finding out about where she lives and killing her/her family, mentioning and making fun of our dead cat (like another member on here did to me...) and so much worse. We are all exhausted. It's been so tough seeing someone so distressed.

Now I read an article like this and honestly? You shouldn't get arrested for saying what you 'think'

These people do it to cause a big fuss. They absolutely love the attention of upsetting/pissing people off. We have a few of them here on tibb. My ignore list has never been so full...

Do I think there is a difference between cyberbulling and trolling on twitter?

Yes, a massive one. We are getting the police involved with our issue because threats are being made. Just like if they were in real life.

If this twitter was making death threats or something similar, then I could totally understand the arrest. He's just a loser with no life trying to stir up trouble.

I do think there should be more regulation and there should be classes given to all schools/colleges/youth clubs whatever and kids need to be told about what these people are really trying to do (cause a reaction).

Ignoring is the way forward.

So many people don't realise until they actually grow up that if someone is constantly harassing you, you just need to totally ignore it. Especially on the internet where it's even more possible to block someone from contacting you.

I can totally understand if James' mum was upset by the twitter account. But I'm sure she's learnt by now to ignore it. Whatever this total **** may be, he shouldn't get arrested for being a dick.

you might as well say your sister should of ignored it!

abuse on the internet is abuse, regardless of what site it is on.

[Cherie]

I really don't understand the whole idea of blocking someone like this, it's fine to block someone if they annoy you, and you can't bear to read their posts, but blocking someone who has intentionally gone out of their way to harass you by making an account that purports to be your dead child deserves reporting, blocking them is akin to putting your hands over your ears and singing la la la, hoping it will all go away.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I really don't understand the whole idea of blocking someone like this, it's fine to block someone if they annoy you, and you can't bear to read their posts, but blocking someone who has intentionally gone out of their way to harass you by making an account that purports to be your dead child deserves reporting, blocking them is akin to putting your hands over your ears and singing la la la, hoping it will all go away.

Great post and the strongest points too.

[Kate!]

As someone who's suffered internet 'bullying' or abuse (and I'm not raking stuff up, I thought hard about whether to even reply to this thread) or whatever label you want to put on it, it's completely unacceptable and as Ninastar said it can have long term effects. I've managed to put what happened in my case to the back of my mind but it'll always be there and for those who say oh for gods sake blah blah blah, just stop and take a step back and think.... Would I like it if it happened to me? Maybe it would just roll off your back, everyone's emotional makeup is different and if anything someone does or says online affects you then it's unacceptable and holding people to account for their actions is necessary, it might just make people think twice

However I don't think realistically there are the resources to deal with everything, so regulation should be much tighter IMO. It'll never be completely stamped out but this world is a bad enough place as it is, due to all the crazy free speech bollocks and do gooding etc etc. I'd have put Jamie Bulgers killers down like animals never mind giving the bastards new identities! This particular case is disgusting, appalls me.

But not every little thing (there's so much it would be impossible) can be dealt with by the police, I do think it should be btw, but realistically it can't happen. Hence my point earlier that the internet should be censored. And strictly. Every little helps.

Finally, I'll just say it's the people who are made to feel any level of distress as a result of this sort of behaviour who are most important and the message needs to be sent out that it's just not on. The level of punishment should fit the crime though to be fair, if someone gets called a slag or dickhead for example then it is a bit crazy to even think of trying to stamp all that out. Impossible. It's a case of 'where do we draw the line? At what level SHOULD there be police involvement?' That's a matter of personal opinion and something we are all going to feel differently on just like anything really, some people will say live and let live, some will say stamp it out at all costs, and other schools of thought.

I don't like the world we live in today, not all 'progress' is good, in a lot of ways the simple life seems a better way to live. Everything is about the pursuit of pleasure and fun, old fashioned values have disappeared down the drain. There's an 'I'm alright Jack' mentality these days, but there are still an awful lot of good people out there so hope is not lost.

Wow lol, I've wrote a flipping essay. I'll stop.

Peace and love tibbers

#hippychick

[Nedusa]

I am torn on this issue as part of me would like to see this deranged idiot arrested and prosecuted maybe even given a custodial sentence to act as a deterrent to stop this kind of vicious internet trolling.

On the other hand we cannot use the Police force to police the internet it simply isn't practicable. The sheer number of loonies and nutcases out there who will say the most hateful and nasty things make it nigh on impossible for all of them to be prosecuted in the normal manner.

We have to develop ways to stop this type of trolling by clever use of technology with better filters and early detection of this type of abuse.

So much as I hate to admit it No I would not want precious Police resources used to investigate this type of crime.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Wow calling someone a ridiculous human being and their point of view moronic, not to mention calling another member a guard dog earllier in the thread, you really do love your freedom of speech don't you!

It is a crime to take or use someone elses identity however,it should be in all cases,of those living and dead this person set out to deliberately use a dead childs identity for some really twisted sick purpose.

Were someone say to claim benefits in the name and identity of a dead person, they would be prosecuted,why should this be any different.
To create something and use someone elses name/identity to do so and then harrass and cause intentional distress to the persons family.

This person is beneath contempt for me, to prey on the dead and cause any extra torment to their loved ones living.
I tell you, if that is not a crime then it should be.