NEWS: Swiss Girl convicted for Insult on Facebook

A 19-year old girl from St. Gall, Switzerland, was convicted for insulting a man on Facebook.

She called him a "sod" and a "sad person" during a controversial discussion about the local culture center KuGl (Kultur am Gleis - Culture at the Rail track). In Swiss German, the insult is more in the tone rather than the actual words.

Experts called her behavior cyber-mobbing, which was emphasized by her threatening comments on the man's Facebook page. He pressed charges, which landed both of them in court. The girl pleaded not guilty and even apologized to the victim in form of a letter - a noble gesture but too late by the judge's account.

It is "frightening" what kind of insults are hurled about on internet-forums, the judge said. He spoke of a "kind of virtual rout". It wouldn't have taken much more until the victim could've been in serious danger.

The conviction isn't yet through but the 19-year old girl already has to pay the minimum of about 1'250 Francs for court costs.

(Original article in German)
http://www.20min.ch/news/ostschweiz/story/11945806

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On a personal note; I advise everyone to keep their calm on the internet. You can argue with people and have healthy discussions but you should refrain from hurling insults at each other. I understand that many look at the internet as "the interwebz", which is not real life, but once they'll establish laws that make cyber-bullying illegal or a reason to convict someone, the fun and games are over.

I'm quite sure the last time I called someone a SPORE in real life did not get me convicted of anything.

Then again, I've never been to Switzerland.

Didzo wrote:I'm quite sure the last time I called someone a SPORE in real life did not get me convicted of anything.

Then again, I've never been to Switzerland.

Lol

Her fault for having a discussion with a stranger on facebook.

I guess the internet really is serious business.