Blame Social Media For Terrorism? Are we setting a potentially dangerous legal precedent by suing social media for terrorism like this?

2016-06-16T12:26:06-04:00

Aside for bringing up gun control as a reaction to such domestic terrorist attacks, this recent legal move poses a serious question on the limits of responsibility. Do you think this is appropriate or not to basically blame, and find negligent, social media for the spread of terrorism?

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/family-american-killed-paris-attacks-sues-twitter-facebook-google-n593351

Father of American Killed in Paris Attacks Sues Social Media Sites

Nohemi Gonzalez, 23, a student at California State University-Long Beach, was among 130 people who were killed Nov. 13 in the attacks across Paris.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 16 at 2016 12:38 PM

2016-06-16T12:38:06-04:00

Here we go again. Blame guns. Blame social media. Make a dollar or two on a child's death. Tragedy added to injury. The world's gone mad, mad, mad...

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-06-16T13:48:08-04:00

Blaming social media is ridiculous, we may as well blame the internet, satellites that help run the internet, NASA for launching some of the satellites, and gravity for allowing them to orbit Earth in a manner cohesive with the terrorist's efforts.
Maybe if FB, Twitter, and Google were intentionally and actively funding terrorist organizations there would be a legal case, but until that day comes the whole principle of blaming them is absurd. It's human nature to need a scapegoat for everything.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2016 5:44 PM

2016-06-16T17:44:04-04:00

Blame everyone but personal responsibility and hold individuals and groups responsible for their actions. I'm sick and tired of people casting blame on others. The truth is ISLAM hates us!

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jun 17 at 2016 2:01 AM

2016-06-17T02:01:57-04:00

I like the idea of holding these companies liable. People can plot on a phone, I get that but a phone company just provides a conveyance without involvement.
FB et al promotes and supports a variety of groups and associations worldwide. They encourage that use to sell advertising. Let a jury decide.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 17 at 2016 10:08 AM

2016-06-17T10:08:54-04:00

Having instantaneous access to information is not responsible for terrorism. The only thing not having social media would accomplish is a delay when we hear about these events.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Jun 17 at 2016 12:09 PM

2016-06-17T12:09:03-04:00

As with all advances in technology,new balances need to be struck.Sgt.Clish

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Jun 23 at 2016 12:49 PM

2016-06-23T12:49:14-04:00

I know that the news and the politicians both try to pass the blame on anything bad that happens but the truth is it all starts at home. Sure child abuse is bad but spanking your child in my opinion is good for them. its a good tool to teach kids that if you do something bad you will be punished. The sting is something that as an adult you remember were as being put in the corner is quickly forgotten about because there is no sting to remember it by.

As a child I shoplifted at a Safeway store and got caught. Instead of the store manager asking why I did it he called the cops. The police chief came out put me in handcuffs and drove me to my house. Once there he took the handcuffs off and had me explain what I did to my father. My father beat my ass in front of the chief who said good job and left. That spanking told me right away that what I did was wrong and I never did it again.

Another problem is that instead of kids playing with toys they are like my nieces and nephew and are given electronics at an early age, commonly playing games that are violent which they then think is the norm in the world and then go and repeat it. A good example is my 3 year old niece has her moms old phone and while it doesn't let you make calls she watches random YouTube videos all day. My nephew plays games at 7 that the goal is to kill everything. When I was a child it was homework, chores, then go out and play with your friends until grandma yelled that dinner was ready.

I think that if we taught our kids right from wrong and kept them off electronics until they were at least teens, and then talked to them about what is expected of them when they were on them it would be better. The other thing every parent should be doing is teaching their children to respect others. I know as a child I was taught to call all adults Sir or Ma'am, it might be old fashioned and make some people mad because it makes them feel old but it shows respect for their elders.