The technical world is moving quickly…
We have access to email on our cell phones, we can connect with old high school friends via facebook, we can “tweet” about our life in 140 characters or less, we can blog about life, love, cooking, sports, family, home designs, etc.
Along with the availability of technology at our fingertips and the ease of which we can publish our thoughts comes and INCREASED risk in libel and slander.
Webster defines libel as:
A written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys and unjustly unfavorable impression; statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt; defamation of a person by written or representational means; the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures; the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel
Webster defines slander as:
To utter slander; defame
Do you post pictures of family and friends on facebook? Do you tweet about work frustrations? Do you blog about your “mean” boss?
You need to use good judgment when utilizing facebook, twitter, blogs, and other forms of social media, otherwise it could come back to haunt you and your family. If the wrong person sees your website, blog, facebook page, twitter account, you could be held liable for what you are posting/writing.
Do your kids use social media? What pictures are they posting? Who are they talking about? If your children are younger than 18 – you can be held responsible for their actions. Recently in Massachusetts there was a young girl who killed herself because of cyber bullying. Make sure you know what your kids are posting and WHO they’re posting pictures of or about…
Does your insurance policy cover libel/slander? You should check with your local insurance agent!