MySpace Sued for Suicide
There are dangers on the internet. Perhaps the most vulnerable demographic is reflected in the teenage users online. The sense of invulnerability and emotional need is a dangerous combination. In the case of Kristin Helms, the internet lead to a tragic conclusion:
“The family of a 15-year-old girl who committed suicide following a sexual relationship with a 27-year-old man she met online is suing MySpace for allegedly facilitating communication between the two.”
link: MySpace Sued Over 2006 Teen Suicide
Can MySpace be held legally responsible? As heartbreaking as this story is, was MySpace negligent in a legal sense? Indeed, MySpace facilitated communication. However, the internet service provider (ISP) also facilitated communication. The online chats could not have happened without an operating system. If the contact between the two had been via cell phone, would the cell phone manufacturer and cell phone service be responsible?
Social networking sites have cautioned about privacy and secure user practices. Nevertheless, there is a segment of the teenage population that lingers in the ‘invulnerability stage’ and think that ‘this won’t happen to me’. Unfortunately, the dangers are very real.
Catherine Forsythe
Tags: Kristin Helms, lawsuit, MySpace, privacy, security, suicide, teenagers
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