civil harassment restraining order Archives

Social Media & Teenagers – Legal Ramifications of Social Media Posts

If you have an adolescent, chances are, they belong to one of the numerous social media platforms. While today’s technology allows us to instantly share our thoughts, experiences, feelings, moods, and activities, not all sharing is healthy or appropriate. In fact, certain activity on social media can be punishable by law and be considered harassment.

Parents: Have a Frank and Honest Discussion with your Kids about the Ramifications of their Actions on Social Media

While an adolescent may not understand the ramifications of posting a comment, activity, or picture on social media, it’s important for parents to inform the child of the consequences that might occur as a result of what’s being posted. What might seem like a harmless, innocent, or “funny” post can, in fact, be illegal and costly.

In a CNN article, When Posting Online Can Get You Arrested, author Lauren Russell shares several examples of social media postings that resulted in legal action against the poster.

Any illegal behavior on the part of a minor that is captured on social media can be used by police to prosecute. If your adolescent is posting underage drinking, hazing, harassment, lewd or lascivious behavior, or more, he or she can find himself or herself arrested, charged, fined, and with a record.

Posting any comments that appear to harass, intimidate, demoralize, or bully another person can also be used against your child.

But the Postings Have Been Taken Down

A common misconception by teens is that their posts have been taken down and thus, they no longer exist. In reality, posts can be screen shot or shared in such a manner as to keep the post alive and available to prosecute.

Adolescents should also be aware that the government can subpoena any deleted content, dismissing the incorrect belief that social media posts “disappear.”

Should Your Child Have a Social Media Account?

For more information and thoughtful analysis of whether or not your child should have a social media account, consider reading this article in Parent’s Magazine, Should Your Child Have a Social Media Account?

In Need of Legal Advice for Civil Harassment or a Restraining Order Due to Social Media Postings? Contact Mendes Law, PC

If you or someone you know needs protection or advice on Civil Harassment or Restraining Orders, contact Mendes Weed, LLP.

Disclaimer: The tips and materials provided in this email are for informational purposes only, offered as public service. No information in this email should be considered legal advice or used as a substitute for legal advice. For legal advice, you should contact an attorney directly.

Christina Weed - Taxation Law Specialist

Teen Nudity on Social Media: Parents, Talk to Your Children

Civil Harassment

Marketing moguls know that sex sells. Any teen who has access to the internet knows that nude celebrity images go viral and take center stage. Nude, or almost nude, Instagram posts of Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj, the Kardashians, and even males such as Justin Bieber and John Legend create an idea that nudity on social media is ok.

When a teenager, who is highly influenced by peers and society more so than her parents, sees these images, it’s almost a justification for her posting or liking nude photos. Follow up these images with messages and hashtags that read, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH BEING CONFIDENT? #vanityfair #CONFIDENT” (Vanity Fair, Demi Lovato photo shoot) and your teen is now convinced that nude images equate to confidence.

Help for Parents to Combat the Increase of Teen Nudity on Social Media

Parents know that talking to their teen can be difficult on its own, but having a tough discussion on the do’s and don’ts of using social media can be almost impossible. Add the inappropriateness of nudity on social media to the conversation and you’re sure to get a teen whose eye-rolling and body language suggests they are doing anything but listening to you.

The fact is, teens need to hear how dangerous it is to post or like naked pictures on social media. In a Huffington Post article titled, Is Your Child’s App X-Rated? 3 Social Media Sites with Surprising Access to Nudity, author and Detective Sergeant, Thomas Rich, explains that posting or clicking on nude photos is anything but harmless. “Every click, every watched link, every photo liked has a fingerprint and it is theirs. They are creating a digital path of breadcrumbs that will always lead back to them.”

Rich tells parents to have an informative, even scary conversation with your teen about the dangers of nudity on social media. One harmless click on a link with a nude minor could mean jail time. So even if your teen doesn’t post but is looking at nude photos, he or she could be in jeopardy.

Remind Your Teen Social Media is Permanent

As we discussed in our last blog, Social Media and Teenagers-Legal Ramifications of Social Media Posts, an image can be copied and saved by any one. These images can reappear and haunt your teen when she is looking for a job, applying for college, or applying for any position of leadership.

Teens think it’s funny and harmless to post images, which can lead to bullying and even suicide among teens who feel shamed and embarrassed after being teased for posting. This harassment among teens is an epidemic that our society is struggling to get a handle on still.

Mendes Weed, LLP Deals with Harassment

If you or someone you know is being harassed because of nude images on line or any other reason, consider contacting Mendes Weed, LLP. For information on harassment or restraining orders, please visit our website.

Disclaimer: The tips and materials provided in this email are for informational purposes only, offered as public service. No information in this email should be considered legal advice or used as a substitute for legal advice. For legal advice, you should contact an attorney directly.

The Impact of the #MeToo Movement on Incidents of Civil Harassment

Civil Harassment

The #MeToo movement is gaining strong momentum since its inception in the fall of 2017. We’ve witnessed it in the workplace, on social media, on TV, among fellow students, and on the playing field. It is broadening awareness among adolescents, teens, and adults that sexual harassment is not to be tolerated and that victims are not to be silenced.

Our history of hiding or not bringing to light sexual assault and harassment has come to a halting stop, with brave individuals bringing attention to their abuse. Now, more than ever, the #MeToo movement to support victims and stop sexual abuse and harassment, is in full force.

The #MeToo Movement has Gone Viral

Time magazine acknowledged the women who have spoken up about their abuse as their Person of the Year. These “Silence Breakers” created a pivotal movement that has allowed other victims of abuse to come forward.

There are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and websites devoted to supporting victims, many of whom would have continued to remained silent and undergo more suffering without the courage of the women of the #MeToo Movement.

Support for Victims in Need of a Civil Harassment Restraining Order

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual harassment, you do not have to suffer in silence. If you are afraid of retaliation or losing your job or scared about how reporting harassment may affect you, it is best that you contact a lawyer familiar with harassment. He or she can offer support and guidance and help you with a Civil Harassment Restraining Order

Contact Mendes Weed, LLP

Lisa Mendes is an attorney experienced with helping individuals obtain a civil harassment restraining order to protect them against abuse. Please contact us immediately if would like more information about how a civil harassment restraining order may protect you. We are on your side and advocate on the part of our clients to protect your rights.

Disclaimer: The tips and materials provided on this page are for informational purposes only, offered as public service. No information on this website should be considered legal advice or used as a substitute for legal advice. For legal advice, you should contact an attorney directly.