# Suicide by Text girl convicted. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 17, 2017, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166 "2017-06-17T05:14:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/141 "2017-08-11T14:40:38Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Cool! So only if you “wish death on someone” is it considered bullying? What about repeatedly calling someone “BigTard”? Is THAT bullying? Again, do you really think these sorts of questions are clever? I mean, has anyone ever said to you, either online or in real life, that you just nailed them with your rhetorical questions? Of course, by your standards, it doesn’t count if it was done online, so maybe you should restrict your answers to meatspace experiences only. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/142 "2017-08-11T16:23:42Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Again, do you really think these sorts of questions are clever? I mean, has anyone ever said to you, either online or in real life, that you just nailed them with your rhetorical questions? > > Of course, by your standards, it doesn’t count if it was done online, so maybe you should restrict your answers to meatspace experiences only. I am asking you what your opinion is on people repeatedly calling someone “BigTard” on this message board and whether or not you consider it “bullying” I honestly want to know what your opinion is. If you don’t want to own your opinion, then feel free not to answer. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/143 "2017-08-11T16:51:00Z")
My opinion on the Pit is that I’ve seen people go too far, and I seem to vaguely recall a few times in which venting/insults directed at a specific poster crossed a certain line, and bannings resulted. But just because someone is frequently insulted in the Pit does not mean that they are being harassed; it also does not mean it is impossible to harass someone on a message board. Notice I don’t tend to use the vague word “bullying.” ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/144 "2017-08-11T17:12:32Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > My opinion on the Pit is that I’ve seen people go too far, and I seem to vaguely recall a few times in which venting/insults directed at a specific poster crossed a certain line, and bannings resulted Thank you for stating what you have seen. I do not remember seeing anyone banned for insults in the Pit. > [@](#): > > But just because someone is frequently insulted in the Pit does not mean that they are being harassed Sure it does. It means they are being cyber bullied in accordance with the law that someone linked to. Repeated use of an electronic medium that causes emotional harm to the victim. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/145 "2017-08-11T17:23:57Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Thank you for stating what you have seen. I do not remember seeing anyone banned for insults in the Pit. The things I’m referring to, and which again are pretty vague in my memory, had to do with doxxing other posters. > [@](#): > > Sure it does. It means they are being cyber bullied in accordance with the law that someone linked to. Repeated use of an electronic medium that causes emotional harm to the victim. Jesus Christ, talk about selective quoting of what I said. Is there a reason that you deleted half of my statement? Which was, “But just because someone is frequently insulted in the Pit does not mean that they are being harassed; **it also does not mean it is impossible to harass someone on a message board**.” If a poster says that things posted in the Pit has caused them emotional harm, I would say that the mods of this board should take a serious look at what was going on. I have zero knowledge one way or another if any member of this board is claiming that the Pit is inflicting emotional harm. And by the way, just what the hell is your position anymore? You argued over the course of probably a dozen posts or so that it is impossible to harass someone electronically, because the victim can simply ignore the texts or whatnot; and now you’re saying that we all have an obligation to stop anyone from insulting anyone in the Pit. It sure sounds like you have no coherent position anymore, and your current position is being taken just because you’re annoyed that a few posters here and the law doesn’t agree with you, so you want to tweak someone or turn the tables on us. Are you just trying to annoy people with your 180 degree turn on this matter? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/146 "2017-08-11T17:37:51Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > If a poster says that things posted in the Pit has caused them emotional harm, I would say that the mods of this board should take a serious look at what was going on I see. So in your view, the charge of bullying requires the victim to state that he/she is/has been emotionally harmed? > [@](#): > > And by the way, just what the hell is your position anymore? You argued over the course of probably a dozen posts or so that it is impossible to harass someone electronically, because the victim can simply ignore the texts or whatnot; and now you’re saying that we all have an obligation to stop anyone from insulting anyone in the Pit Really? I’m not going to ask the usual question I would ask here of someone who twists words around as a way to escape posting their own opinions on the matter. My position is thus: Bully requires the actions be unwanted by the victim Continually reading electronic communications by a so-called bully shows that the actions are not unwanted, or else the “victim” would just not read the communications Thus, it’s not bullying People who THINK that is bullying somehow refuse to see the same exact thing on this message board against some posters in some forums (or fora, whatever). I don’t understand how people who think that a person can be bullied via Facebook, or Text Messages, or a Message Board can remain silent on some of the threads on this board which, in their eyes, is the exact same thing. Laws that make “cyber-bullying” a crime result from people who want to have laws to protect the feelings of people that result from unforced viewing of messages, posts, web sites. I disagree with that. I disagree that we should legislate against “Hurting someone’s feelings” That clear it up for you? Now what’s your position? Can someone be bullied on a message board? If you believe that, then go into the Pit and tell people to stop bullying others. If you don’t believe it, then we agree. If you believe it, and you don’t try to stop the “bullying” that you think is going on here, then you are a hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/147 "2017-08-11T18:39:44Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Now what’s your position? Can someone be bullied on a message board? If you believe that, then go into the Pit and tell people to stop bullying others. If you don’t believe it, then we agree. If you believe it, and you don’t try to stop the “bullying” that you think is going on here, then you are a hypocrite. Or they just don’t feel it’s their job to go out there and be like Spider-Man or Batman, enforcing the law without being paid agents of law enforcement. But this provides a good opportunity to delineate an area where you and I disagree, despite our mutual opposition to this prosecution and conviction. I believe someone can be bullied on a message board. I just don’t believe those non-“sticks and stones” forms of bullying should be illegal (in a criminal sense; certainly they can be against school rules and such). Another area where we may disagree is that you seem to believe it would be legitimate to pass a law that made urging someone to take their own life illegal. I believe that would be unconstitutional based on _W. Virginia v. Barnette_ (excerpts of which opinion I posted upthread) and probably other precedents as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/148 "2017-08-11T18:49:26Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I see. So in your view, the charge of bullying requires the victim to state that he/she is/has been emotionally harmed? It requires they BE emotionally harmed. Stating it is not proof of harm, but it is a starting point. Like saying “I’ve been robbed!” is not proof of a felony but a good starting point for an investigation. > [@](#): > > People who THINK that is bullying somehow refuse to see the same exact thing on this message board against some posters in some forums (or fora, whatever). I don’t understand how people who think that a person can be bullied via Facebook, or Text Messages, or a Message Board can remain silent on some of the threads on this board which, in their eyes, is the exact same thing. Because not all insults constitute bullying or harassment. Just like how not all fucking is rape. > [@](#): > > Now what’s your position? Can someone be bullied on a message board? If you believe that, then go into the Pit and tell people to stop bullying others. If you don’t believe it, then we agree. Yes, someone can be bullied on a message board. But not all insults are bullying. I think the mods here do a fine job in keeping things clear of that line. If there are incidents of bullying that I’m not aware of that are going on, then I plead ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/149 "2017-08-11T18:51:49Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I didn’t say it wasn’t a “thing” I think it’s a stupid thing. Laws that are designed protect peoples feelings from things they can easily ignore are stupid. Sue me. Making some real god damn progress in this thread now. You, earlier: > [@Slash1972](#): > > Of course bullying is a thing. Bullying by text message isn’t a thing. Bullying by Facebook isn’t a thing. Bullying by message board CAN’T be a thing, or else you can go to the Omnibus Trolls R Us Thread and look at all that bullying. > [@](#): > > There are always threads in the Pit that are “bullying” Why don’t you go into them and tell people to stop? Cuz I’m not the fucking internet police. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/150 "2017-08-12T00:13:26Z")
I’m not sure what point you think you made there. Of course, physical bullying is a thing that should be controlled. Words on a message board that can be ignored? No. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/151 "2017-08-12T00:14:27Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > It requires they BE emotionally harmed. Stating it is not proof of harm, but it is a starting point. Like saying “I’ve been robbed!” is not proof of a felony but a good starting point for an investigation How would you know they were emotionally harmed unless they stated it? Guessing? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/152 "2017-08-12T00:15:46Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Cuz I’m not the fucking internet police. I see. So you don’t actually care about what you consider bullying, you just want to argue a point that you think other people on this message board want to hear. Good for you! ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/153 "2017-08-12T00:21:37Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > How would you know they were emotionally harmed unless they stated it? Guessing? I’m a billionaire with an IQ of 267. I stated it, so now you know. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/154 "2017-08-12T00:23:23Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m a billionaire with an IQ of 267. I stated it, so now you know. That’s great! Strange that a billionaire with an IQ of 267 would be hanging around the Straight Dope message boards instead of doing hookers and blow or whatever. Thanks for educating the teeming millions! ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/155 "2017-08-12T00:32:54Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Or they just don’t feel it’s their job to go out there and be like Spider-Man or Batman, enforcing the law without being paid agents of law enforcement Not so much “enforcing” the law, but at least calling it out when they see it. > [@](#): > > But this provides a good opportunity to delineate an area where you and I disagree, despite our mutual opposition to this prosecution and conviction. I believe someone can be bullied on a message board. I just don’t believe those non-“sticks and stones” forms of bullying should be illegal (in a criminal sense; certainly they can be against school rules and such) Then we must have different definitions of “bullying” I tried to get people to state what they thought bullying was. That is why. Hard to have a conversation about bullying without agreeing on what bullying is. > [@](#): > > Another area where we may disagree is that you seem to believe it would be legitimate to pass a law that made urging someone to take their own life illegal. I believe that would be unconstitutional based on _W. Virginia v. Barnette_ (excerpts of which opinion I posted upthread) and probably other precedents as well. I don’t think that would be legitimate, actually. It was my response to a poster who thought someone who only sent text messages to someone deserved the death penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/156 "2017-08-12T00:34:15Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That’s great! Strange that a billionaire with an IQ of 267 would be hanging around the Straight Dope message boards instead of doing hookers and blow or whatever. Thanks for educating the teeming millions! Yeah, you really got ripped off with that $10 donation I promised. Coulda held out for more. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/157 "2017-08-12T00:35:42Z")
So back to the nonsense, who on the Straight Dope has claimed that they have suffered emotional harm as a result of the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/158 "2017-08-12T00:39:38Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > So back to the nonsense, who on the Straight Dope has claimed that they have suffered emotional harm as a result of the Pit? Who knows? I don’t care. But it seems you do. Did the kid from the original story claim he suffered emotional harm? Is that a requirement in your eyes for something to be considered bullying? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/159 "2017-08-12T00:40:43Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Yeah, you really got ripped off with that $10 donation I promised. Coulda held out for more. (aside from the discussion) If you actually did that (and I am not accusing you of NOT doing it), then you are a pretty good person. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166/160 "2017-08-12T00:49:09Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > So back to the nonsense, who on the Straight Dope has claimed that they have suffered emotional harm as a result of the Pit? I will claim it right now. But obviously I don’t think anyone should be prosecuted for it. They have, I strongly believe, the constitutional right to inflict emotional pain on me with their repeated electronic messages. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-text-girl-convicted/789166.md?page=9)