Police to get tough on internet trolls.

[Blackshep]

The term troll much like racist is thrown around so freely that it's lost much of it's meaning and do any of us have faith that the motley collection of mental deficients in Westminster will make practical and reasoned choices?. Richard you are an example of a growing group who react in a knee jerk fashion dig a hole for themselves and rather then realise you jumped the gun and got thing's wrong double down and keep digging.

Normally in sane times it's not too much of a problem but at times like now where those who shout loudest and act most offended have politician's queuing up to pander to them is when badly thought out and poor legislation is passed and does far more damage then good.

[RichardCoulter]

Well, we shall have to wait and see what the new laws look like and how they work in practice.

Making site owners have a legal duty of care to their users and becoming liable for what their users publish on the internet under the threat of heavy fines should make them act more responsibly to protect vulnerable people.

We simply cannot continue with a situation where people are made ill, have their quality of life affected or are driven to suicide.

These new laws aren't just about dealing with trolls/bullies/bigots whatever you want to call them, it's also about protecting children, those with mental health or disability issues etc. There are actually sites that allow users to encourage suicide, anorexia and self harm, whilst others are failing to comply with the Equality Act eg refusing to make adjustments to help disabled people.

There's a whole host of things out there that need to be dealt with; i'm hoping that scammers will be included too. It cannot be right that popular commercial sites take money from known fraudsters to advertise on their platform.

I'm quietly confident that freedom of speech won't be impacted for the majority of right thinking, decent people.

Unfortunately, it’s who defines "right thinking, decent people" - for a number of lawmakers/politicians/voters, that usually equates to "those who agree with me"…

Originally Posted by Hugh

Unfortunately, it’s who defines "right thinking, decent people" - for a number of lawmakers/politicians/voters, that usually equates to "those who agree with me"…

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Unfortunately, it’s who defines "right thinking, decent people" - for a number of lawmakers/politicians/voters, that usually equates to "those who agree with me"…

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Unfortunately, it’s who defines "right thinking, decent people" - for a number of lawmakers/politicians/voters, that usually equates to "those who agree with me"…

Well said.

[Carth]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Well, we shall have to wait and see what the new laws look like and how they work in practice.

Making site owners have a legal duty of care to their users and becoming liable for what their users publish on the internet under the threat of heavy fines should make them act more responsibly to protect vulnerable people.

We simply cannot continue with a situation where people are made ill, have their quality of life affected or are driven to suicide.

These new laws aren't just about dealing with trolls/bullies/bigots whatever you want to call them, it's also about protecting children, those with mental health or disability issues etc. There are actually sites that allow users to encourage suicide, anorexia and self harm, whilst others are failing to comply with the Equality Act eg refusing to make adjustments to help disabled people.

There's a whole host of things out there that need to be dealt with; i'm hoping that scammers will be included too. It cannot be right that popular commercial sites take money from known fraudsters to advertise on their platform.

I'm quietly confident that freedom of speech won't be impacted for the majority of right thinking, decent people.

Interesting . . . can you name 3 and give examples?

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Carth

Interesting . . . can you name 3 and give examples?

Indeed i would like to know who they are as well so i can keep away from them.

[OLD BOY]

I don't agree with the views expressed by the proponents of this thread - but do we really want to join the 'close' culture?

This is a free country which permits free speech. Close it down at your peril.

People on this forum should stop ridiculing people they disagree with and start trying to have a sensible discussion on the differences between us.

How can closing down a debate on a discussion forum ever be a good idea?

We need to take a good look at ourselves and step up to the plate.

[Itshim]

About time snowflakes moved in to the deep freeze. Could use many more sayings . Head and wall being just an other !

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I don't agree with the views expressed by the proponents of this thread - but do we really want to join the 'close' culture?

This is a free country which permits free speech. Close it down at your peril.

People on this forum should stop ridiculing people they disagree with and start trying to have a sensible discussion on the differences between us.

How can closing down a debate on a discussion forum ever be a good idea?

We need to take a good look at ourselves and step up to the plate.

I ain't ridiculing anyone, I just think that this thread has been done to death, nothing more to add.

[OLD BOY]

I don’t agree with the changes to the legislation as proposed by Richard - this goes much too far. But I agree there is a problem. However, we do not need extreme measures to deal with that problem.

The current position is not acceptable. We need to find a middle way through. This discussion is far from done, but both sides to this debate are polarised. If we keep restating our position without considering alternative ways to resolve the problem, we will continue to go around in circles.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Unfortunately, it’s who defines "right thinking, decent people" - for a number of lawmakers/politicians/voters, that usually equates to "those who agree with me"…

The legislation aims to protect freedom of speech, but stop the abuse of vulnerable (and other) people online, be it financial, inappropriate remarks, questions etc.

This thread in particular has provided some excellent examples of how people feel it appropriate to treat disabled people.

---------- Post added at 22:00 ---------- Previous post was at 21:59 ----------

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I don't agree with the views expressed by the proponents of this thread - but do we really want to join the 'close' culture?

This is a free country which permits free speech. Close it down at your peril.

People on this forum should stop ridiculing people they disagree with and start trying to have a sensible discussion on the differences between us.

How can closing down a debate on a discussion forum ever be a good idea?

We need to take a good look at ourselves and step up to the plate.

Indeed.

[Mythica]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

The legislation aims to protect freedom of speech, but stop the abuse of vulnerable (and other) people online, be it financial, inappropriate remarks, questions etc.

This thread in particular has provided some excellent examples of how people feel it appropriate to treat disabled people.

---------- Post added at 22:00 ---------- Previous post was at 21:59 ----------



Indeed.

You're disabled? Why didn't you tell someone.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

The legislation aims to protect freedom of speech, but stop the abuse of vulnerable (and other) people online, be it financial, inappropriate remarks, questions etc.

This thread in particular has provided some excellent examples of how people feel it appropriate to treat disabled people.

---------- Post added at 22:00 ---------- Previous post was at 21:59 ----------



Indeed.

You’re doing it again - people are disagreeing with you and your propositions, and you conflate these disagreements with the fact you are disabled.

When people on this forum disagree with my views, my default isn’t "they’re only doing it because I’m Scottish"…