On Thursday, Illinois lawmakers signed a law that bans registered sex offenders from using social networks. The law, of course, aims to prevent offenders from victimizing those they might find on a social network such as Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter.
Interestingly, they define social network as "an Internet website containing profile web pages of the members of the website that include the names or nicknames of such members . . . or any other personal or personally identifying information about such members." You know as well as I do how many websites that defines nowadays, with more sites adding a social aspect to keep up with the times.
The powers-that-be appear to be growing more aware of the impact of social networks, and are responding accordingly — see the US Marines' ban. This law, though, has a different purpose entirely: protection of minors. Do you think it will be effective?
Paul Smith
Rick Owens
Sonia Rykiel
I think this is a great step, I just wonder how it will be enforced.
1Good for them.
2This law is a frosting-covered tire being sold as a donut.
A waste of time. Unfair for the thousands of high schoolers who have been black-balled for smooching their freshman girlfriends. Unfair for those found not guilty of a crime, but have been deemed a threat and therefore must register. Isn't it already a crime to solicit sex from a minor on the net anyway?
There are so many ways around this. Take it from a sex offender with a valid social networking account. I'm also the parent of two so don't start judging me over a 20-year-old crime.
This is a law that can only be enforced if the person is caught. Most likely, after having been caught for something else. After a police forensic investigation of said computer. So the person's charged with two felonies and with the help of a public defender, the lesser of the two (guess which one) will be dropped in exchange for a plea agreement of 5 years.
Myspace started the banning thing, now everyone else is just piggybacking.
From a parent's point of view, I can see the good. From a sex offender's point of view, I can see the fallacy. My life experiences have taught me to look at an issue from all sides. This is just a cheap and quick attempt to gain public favour.
3Are they only doing this in Illinois? I think they should do this in all country. This is a great first step to eliminate those kinds of people. Yes it's their freedom but they also have to think of the people who are offended by what they are doing. They should think of other people feelings. I'm using an Illinois Social Site too but luckily, I have not met people like them.
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