Computer Safety - Why should I take the time to read this websites Terms of Service Agreement?

The MySpace Suicide Case is getting heat from both sides of the aisle; those who think its right and those thinking it’s a waste of the taxpayers’ money. For those of you who aren’t up on the why’s and how’s but want to why accessing MySpace ends up a federal criminal case let me enlighten you. The Wall Street Journal has done a pretty good job of covering the story. And the New Yorker wrote a piece on this same case.

MySpace Suicide Trial Delayed As Judge Struggles With Legal Issues

Friend Game - Behind the online hoax that led to a girl’s suicide.

Allow me to cut to the chase about what this is all about. You know those little boxes called Terms of Service that most websites require you to agree to; well it has to do with that agreement that chances are you’ve never took the time to read. We all have seen them. They are a small box that you can scroll through the text or you can just go directly to the check box and check that you agree to the terms of service. Most people don’t read or print the terms of service, instead they check the agreement box and move on to the next page that gives them access to the web site. Well, if you agree to the terms of service, which may include your agreement to be truthful and not to harass another user, and then violate those terms you could get in hot water.

The criminal case involves the indictment against Lori Drew by the United States of America in the California courts via a grand jury from February 2008.  She was charged with several computer related crimes after her alleged use of the MySpace website.

In this MySpace suicide case the United States is alleging the defendant violated the terms of service agreement and by doing so she violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. ( The specific section of federal law is Title 18, Part I, Chapter 47, § 1030. Fraud and related activity in connection with computers. )

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’ve gained access to any website by checking the box that you’re agreeing to following their terms of service rules, then you’d better do it. In the case of bullying, and we’ve covered this area before on the InjuryBoard site, an alarm should go off in your head that society isn’t tolerating bullying. Probably because there have been so many people who in the past were picked on in some school yard corner. So a word to the wise, read a few of those agreements you’re agreeing to abide by and see exactly what it is you’re agreeing to do. Ignoring it doesn’t make it void.

School Safety – School Bully Packs Big Punch, Megan Roth, Sept. 6, 2008.

So what, exactly, are the implications a bully can have on his ‘prey‘? How serious are the consequences of bullying another student and what damages do children around the nation face in result of one high-on-his-horse individual?

In this instance, one in which we can all perceive us or our children doing something similar, obey the light that is going off in your head. The neon one saying, “STOP”.