RALEIGH, N.C. — A 2008 law making it a felony for registered sex offenders to use social media websites in North Carolina was struck down Tuesday after a challenge by a Durham man.
___ ___., a registered sex offender from Durham, appealed to the state after being convicted in May 2012 of accessing a commercial social networking website. ___ alleged that North Carolina General Statute 14-202.5 violated his rights to “free speech, expression, association, assembly and the press under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.” Full Article
Finally…a common sense decision. I hope it sticks.
Now I wish Facebook would be bound to a decision like that. It’s one thing when you’re a private, low-key Website used by few. It’s another thing when you’re a major medium of communications for the entire world. Some Websites won’t even let you comment unless you have a FB account – thus a violation of free speech in my opinion. Plus, FB is now a public company too.
Bottom line: the best source of protection for minors online is THEIR PARENTS!!!
The USA is full of brainless zombies running about like chickens with their heads cut off. Parents actually parenting their children! Not the way it’s done here in the USA.
That would work far too well and make too much sense…that’s not how we do it.
Let big brother look after them…after all, we all know that the government can be trusted. Right…
My comment in many of the threads blasting the judges’ decision: Are these liberal, sex offender-coddling judges? Rick Elmore, from RedState.com (expand story) Judge Elmore has been endorsed by North Carolina’s only elected Republican Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, I. Beverly Lake, Jr. (ret.). He is also endorsed by the only Republican to win four statewide judicial races in North Carolina, Associate Justice Robert Orr (ret.). So, the message is clear:…tell everyone you know in NC to vote for Judge Rick Elmore for NC Court of Appeals on Nov. 2. Because the Court of Appeals is not an entry-level… Read more »
I’d consider becoming a plaintiff against Facebook if needed. I’m an internet/computer expert from the early days, so I can provide technical advice relating to necessity of access to all web sites. In my Calif County I need Facebook for access to the Local News Media and Public Emergency info. We have no better media than Facebook for this info. We have no TV coverage and very limited radio coverage. Public access cable TV is useless here also.
Plus there are Government services I am taxed for but due to Facebook TOS, I am not allowed to access info from these services since I cannot open a Facebook account. Sounds like Government should not post info on web sites that all taxpayers are not allowed to access? Perhaps a good angle on a lawsuit?
I would like to see a (vague) law that says that no local, state government or any taxpayer paid program/service (including non-profits with tax exempt status) can offer services or information on an internet web site that is not accessible to all citizens. On the surface this law might sound non-threatening to politicians and might get good support without directly mentioning the SO issue. Might work?
I seem to recall California investing heavily into the Facebook IPO which in my opinion gives Registrant taxpayers a personal stake in the success of this venture. It seems illogical to deny this states 100k registrants from helping to make this corporation successful when we’re all invested one way or another.
I completely agree. It should be illegal for governments to use Facebook. Governments that I pay for should not be putting content places were I am “forbidden” to go.