CASE STUDY 1 ICT Ethical and Moral Issues

CASE STUDY 1 ICT Ethical and Moral Issues Trolling Case Study

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' Background The young girl was only 17 when she died from a deep vein thrombosis. An internet "troll" posted offensive comments on her Facebook memorial site a year after the death of the 17 -year-old from Maidstone.

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' Background The family viewpoint Her parents say her memory has been destroyed by abusive online messages. What was posted? "Things like 'come and join me here in hell in my swanky new pad'. It just carried on and on. “ Her Mother said: "He's destroyed our memories. "

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' Background The Police. Kent Police said it investigated the sending of abusive messages. The police said "In September 2011, following an investigation by another police force, a young man was sentenced to an 18 -week prison term for posting malicious messages on an internet forum and admitted targeting the Porter family. ”

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' Background The Official Position. A government spokesman said: "So called 'trolls' who send abusive messages are breaking the law. “ The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for policies aimed at preventing cyber bullying and trolling.

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' Background (continued) The spokesman said: "The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) brought over 2, 000 prosecutions under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 last year and two individuals were jailed for "trolling" in 2011. ” "The fundamental principle for internet hosted material is that what is illegal off-line is also illegal on-line. “ This figure is rising as police are now identifying more trollers.

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' So what do YOU think? Were the girl’s parents overreacting or do you think they did the right thing by getting the police to investigate? Do you think the sentence was too long or just right, or should he have been given a different punishment? How do you think the police tracked him down?

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' Look at the comment sheet and fill in the comments on your computer or on the printed sheet – Case Study 1 Comments Debate allowed – if you are unsure discuss the points with your peers or with the teacher. The following slides can be used to fill in some of the possible answers. It’s not all black and white…. or grey.

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' So what do YOU think? Were the girl’s parents overreacting or do you think they did the right thing by getting the police to investigate? There is never clear right or wrong answer to this type of question. We never know how others might react – we all have different experiences of life events so it hurt them far more than we might think.

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' So what do YOU think? Do you think the sentence was too long or just right, or should he have been given a different punishment? The sentence was given as a deterrent to others, and reflects a sentence that would have been given to someone if the abuse had happened on the street. The judge followed the government guidelines for this sort of offence.

'FACEBOOK TROLL RUINED MEMORIES OF A YOUNG GIRL' So what do YOU think? How do you think the police tracked him down? Everyone who uses the Internet leaves a digital trail. In other words everything you do online CAN be tracked and monitored. The police have specialist software and also access to service and web page providers, who are happy to cooperate with the police in the UK if they suspect a crime has been committed.