School + facebook = bad plan

[nibbler]

Not judging, just suggesting that those who were involved think about their own behaviour first before thinking about others behaviour. Suppose Facebook says that the school wasn't allowed to do this - assuming of course the school actually did do it. It doesn't alter the fact that posting abusive messages is still dumb.

Well I don't see the point in this - I wasn't trying to justify cyber bullying I was enquiring as to the legality of the matter - no more no less.

[peterb]

Well I don't see the point in this - I wasn't trying to justify cyber bullying I was enquiring as to the legality of the matter - no more no less.

Certainly nothing illegal in terms of UK law unless measures were used to subvert Facebook's security measures (then you get into the Computer Misuse Act - and then jurisdiction issues depending on where the Facebook servers are located.

But in general, if you voluntarily post something on a social networking site (or any public internet site), you post it for people to look at - and so it is a timely warning to be very careful about what you post in case it comes back to bite you later.

Of course, using sites like Facebook for cyber-stalking or cyber-bullying may be harassment and may be unlawful (or used in evidence in substantiating other unlawful activity) and again there have been well documented instances of such evidence being used in prosecution cases.

[cookie365]

OK, well the legality of it is: there's no law that says it's illegal.

I'm not attacking anyone here, just pointing out that anyone whose explanation for, well pretty much anything, is 'I was just having a joke' is going to get hit by big consequences sooner or later if they don't learn from this experience.

[nibbler]

OK, well the legality of it is: there's no law that says it's illegal.

I'm not attacking anyone here, just pointing out that anyone whose explanation for, well pretty much anything, is 'I was just having a joke' is going to get hit by big consequences sooner or later if they don't learn from this experience.

Not sure who you're adressing here but you are correct I suppose...?

[Mike Fishcake]

Why can't I ask a question without being judged?

Welcome to the Hexus forums.

[steve threlfall]

It's entirely up to Facebook to decide what to allow or not allow.

I'd suggest that those of you who who friended 'her' should just take this as a gentle reminder that you're not quite as bright as you thought you were, and just learn from it without pretending to be outraged about what the school did.

That's a bit harsh. Be mindful of the the drop from your high horse.

[Saracen]

That's a bit harsh. Be mindful of the the drop from your high horse.

And that's starting to get close to our rules about insulting other members. Back it off a notch, please.

[TooNice]

Not illegal, but most likely against the T&C. In terms of breaching the T&C, it's no worse than, as already mentioned, using an alias. Of course, if the school is the one responsible, then it is morally more questionable than someone using a false name to avoid being easily found (you don't really know the privacy settings available until AFTER you sign up - as you can never be sure if the various guide out there - if you take the effort to look them up prior to signing up, is up to date).

Truth is, I have little sympathy for those caught just because they could have avoided the situation by using their head (i.e. not add strangers), as opposed to as treating the list of friend as some sort of popularity contest.

I add people I meet regularly because it is easier to set up future meet ups. I also add people I met regularly before, but no longer do due to geographic to stay in touch. If a person I don't recognise add me, I'll send a message asking who they are (in case it is someone using an alias).

[Lucio]

The stupid part is they probably didn't need to add everyone, a lot of kids don't secure their account more than "friend of friend" anyway.

Best bet is contact your local paper, they'll jump at an "angry parent" story, whether or not any parents are angry now, they will be.

[peterb]

IF (and that hasn't been established) the school did set that up for a teaching point, is it any more morally questionable than (say) the police setting up a false pawnbrokers to catch people trying to 'fence' stolen goods and to recover those goods? (Which IIRC, has been done successfully)

But as Lucio says, I'm sure one of the tabloids would love a screaming headline on the lines of "School spied on my kids" - probably the day after one stating "Cyber bullying ruined my child's life"

But if it was set up by the school, to raise awareness, then it clearly worked!

[nibbler]

Yeah it's probably a good plan, I just find it a little sneaky

[jimbouk]

Or ask the school/police officer what to do if you think an adult is pretending to be a child and friending people on facebook...

[chadders]

it seems remarkably like entrapment

AIUI - Nope, in the same way a copper hiding behind a wall/bush with a speed gun isn't entrapment - unless they actively coerce you into doing something illegal that you otherwise wouldn't.

It's still the Facebook users "choice" to accept friend and subsequently post messages.

edit: I now have the urge to watch Miss Zeta-Jones in her tight outfit navigating the red lasers...

[mikerr]

Sounds to me that the "inept policeman" has highlighted EXACTLY what he wanted to:

• That many people add "friends" on facebook / give away privacy without checking who they are first.
• That many people think it's "a laugh" to abuse other people

Also, now you've all been found out doing the above, instead of heeding the lesson - you post on hexus basically saying "its not fair", "entrapment", "is it allowed?"

..and how many kids are on facebook when the minimum age is 13 ?

[nibbler]

This is actually starting to frustrate me...
I had nothing to do with it - I'm not an idiot thanks. I'm just curious to know what the consequences are. I haven't done anything and more to the point it's not like he named and shamed people or admitted that it was the school who made the account. So he hasn't achieved anything, for all we know it isn't even the school.

[Barakka]

Could be the school has had complaints about bullying on Facebook where a pupil created an account and added lots of people only to get abuse.

So rather than use the pupil in question as an example they created a "fake" student to see the effect for themselves. Also so that when they make a big deal of it attention (thought) doesn't automatically fall to the original complainant as this new "person" is more prominent in their minds.