Social media has exploded over the last 10 years.
With the invention of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat people’s lives seem to revolve around what they do or don’t post online.
Some people don’t realize that the Internet is not private and what goes online stays there.
And what you and others’ post stays there forever.
There’s always a chance of something being put out there that you do not want.
But if it is put out there by someone other than yourself, you should definitely be able to do something about it.
There are laws, varying from state to state, that do subject people to liability if they were to release anything concerning the private life of another.
For example, if an individual shares a video of themselves that is distasteful and the receiver puts it online with the intent of doing “harm” that is illegal.
The sender had an expectation of privacy and trusted that the other person would keep it to themself.
This video is now online forever and can do numerous things to this individual’s reputation.
Now that it is online it can be searched and shared by whomever stumbles upon it.
Schools and employers now have access to it which can sway their decision on accepting you or hiring you.
Friends, family or even strangers can see it. You have a stigma attached to yourself and become in danger of being judged for something that was only supposed to be between you and one other person.
Some may think, “Well if you never wanted to post it, why would you share it in the first place?”
What about situations where someone does not know they are being photographed or recorded?
Should they be to blame for their misjudgments?
No, they should not.
It’s unfortunate to say but today’s youth can be clueless and not realize that actions have consequences.
That leaves room for people to say, “Well serves them right. They need to learn their lesson.”
This does not, however, give people the right to post someone’s private life online for the world to see.
Bottom line it is the law and a person can, if there is merit, sue someone for posting against them online.
They have every legal right to stand up for themselves and be heard.
A person’s life should never be put on display as a joke.
It is wrong for another person to intentionally bring harm emotionally, physically or mentally whether it be online or not.
In the grand scheme of things, be careful what you post because all actions have consequences.
