Felony: Sex Offenders Using Social Networks

[exfileme]

Illinois is kicking registered sex offenders off social networks.

Felony: Sex Offenders Using Social Networks : Read more

 

[d_kuhn]

As always... Parents... WATCH YOUR KID'S ONLINE ACTIVITY!

There are predators everywhere, it's our job to protect our young children. Checking out their Facebook pages on occasion is not THAT difficult.

 

[Guest]

I wonder if the senator who lobbied for this was inept at computers as John McCain as he wrote a somewhat similar piece of legislation. Surely no one could go to a website and post under a different name. Wholesale bans will ultimately be ruled unconstitutional, as many people use "social networks" for purposes OTHER than committing crimes, such as selling books, finding jobs, or keeping up with mom and dad. The internet is integral to our society these days for many jobs. The term "social networking site" is not defined, either. Does this include places like www.sosen.us, which offers support forums for those dealing with things like trying to figure out how this law actually works? More truths about *ex offenders can be found @ www.oncefallen.com

PS: Studies have shown internet predation is far less common than you think.

 

[Guest]

One step closer to the Big Brother state police. But, hey! It's for the kids.

 

[Guest]

Will this include people convicted of public urination?

 

[Wayoffbase]

[citation][nom]krasno[/nom]One step closer to the Big Brother state police. But, hey! It's for the kids.[/citation]
Yea, it seems like a good idea until you realize that the government will have to monitor EVERYONE'S internet activity to make it work. Without that, it's just an unenforceable law. I can't remember the specifics, but I think some higher court overturned an internet pornography law in the last year or so for being unenforceable.

 

[Guest]

These people did the time, and now another law to prohibit them from enjoying all the rights that other free citizens have. Wake up and get rid of all these unconstitutional laws.

 

[Maxor127]

It's not just to protect kids. It's any sort of sex offender, like a nice guy who might lure a woman on Facebook to rape her. I'm torn between whether this is a good idea or not since I know there are freaks out there, but on the other hand, it seems like a restriction of what should be a basic right for anyone.

 

[Guest]

Here's my question: If a sex offender is such a big threat to society that you have to basically pass laws to imprison them in society, why not just keep them in prison away from society? Whatever happened to once you pay your dues, you leave prison paid in full?

 

[mavroxur]

[citation][nom]Maxor127[/nom]I'm torn between whether this is a good idea or not since I know there are freaks out there, but on the other hand, it seems like a restriction of what should be a basic right for anyone.[/citation]

Access to social networking sites is a "basic right" for everyone? Wow, I feel dumber having read that. Internet isn't a "basic right" it's a privilege. When you break laws, then you lose privileges. If Tommy Touch-a-lot loses access to Myspace, i'm freakin glad.

 

[sceen311]

I vote we spend less time "protecting" people, and more time educating them... would seem a better use of money, imo.

 

[bpogdowz]

I like it, it keeps a nice outgoing personality for these offenders. Keep up the good work.

 

[enewmen]

I hear about sex offenders and sex predators every day. Where is this defined anyway? Does Governor Pat Quinn and other politicians understand the diffinitions?
So, if I'm cought peeing on the wall, I'll be forced to live under a bridge in Florida with a GPS locator on my leg for life and banned from using hotmail to contact anyone.

 

[nonxcarbonx]

That's an absolutely ridiculous intrusion on people's freedom. Another intrusion from big brother, and having people live in a permanent state of punishment. Perhaps they should refer back to The Rights of Man.

 

[chikara]

Good enough idea in practice, but in reality how on earth can they ever enforce it. It's so easy to create a new e-mail address, use a fake name and then register. That's probably what they do at the moment.
Making it a felony or not, is unlikely to stop them.

The only way they could ever enforce it, is to have the sites force people to give real identification before they can register and set up new accounts - and I can't see any way that will *ever* happen.

 

[megamanx00]

Not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand it's a big rights violation, but on the other I can see why it would protect the children from certain individuals. Still, it's the parents job to watch and educate their children and it's no reason to punish the many for the misdeeds that a few may commit. I don't like sex offenders, but I hate having peoples rights chipped away by an over zealous government even more.

 

[Guest]

Isn't it about time someone tell Senators and Congress people that you can't monitor what people do online if they know ANYTHING about computers and the internet! These worthless laws are costing money for 0 effect.

Here's a tip to the White house. You can't control what people do on the internet w/o violating their constitutional rights.

 

[dmwright]

As for whether we are pro or against, I'm wondering what implications this will have.

Will more people be lured into such crimes, "Thinking" that such registered offenders are not online and the internet is safer, while in reality we all know how easy it is to go around said laws. How many kids register themselves as over 18, and the likes.

 

[anamaniac]

Social Networking + rapists/pedohpiles = nothing new.

 

[Montezuma]

Forget the pedo freaks, the internet itself keeps eating children. NOM NOM NOM NOM