Talking about someone on Facebook

[a!!!!1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My friend made a Facebook group about a girl at our school and she listed the bad qualities of the girl, such as the fact that she is a huge parasite and tries to trick people into paying for everything. Everything she wrote about her is the truth and she says everyone in her sorority and a lot of her friends feel the same way about the girl.

If the girl in question sees this group, does she have a case for defamation or libel? Keep in mind that nothing is made up and the group was created for the purpose of telling our friends to stay away from the girl, not to hurt her reputation or make her feel bad (the girl doesn't even know about the group).

Thanks!

 

[SingleMom81]

If the girl in question sees this group, does she have a case for defamation or libel?

I don't know? How is anyone supposed to tell you that, if we don't know what was said?

Keep in mind that nothing is made up and the group was created for the purpose of telling our friends to stay away from the girl, not to hurt her reputation or make her feel bad (the girl doesn't even know about the group).

Thanks!

Oh c'mon now. You knew this would hurt her reputation and make her feel bad. How would it not?

 

[fairisfair]

Is there anything meaner than a teenage girl...???? anything....at all?????

 

[farmgirl_48732]

In response

You said sorority is this college? It doesn't matter if this stuff is true or not. Would you want someone posting garbage like that about YOU? Your little posse of "friends" are immature, vile, disgusting, little weasels. Real nice friends you got there!

 

[lealea1005]

A sorority does this to one of their own??!?? How about doing something mature, like sitting down with your "sister" and discussing the situation? Now there's a concept!

It's not a matter of IF she'll find out, it's WHEN she finds the group. Hurtful, mean, nasty, immature, cowardly...shall I go on?

 

[quincy]

Defamation requires that what is published be false. Truth and opinion are both free speech, so you can say whatever you want about this girl as long as it is the truth and as long as it is pure opinion that does not state false facts.

Being mean on its own, unfortunately, is not against any law.

 

[a!!!!1]

Oh c'mon now. You knew this would hurt her reputation and make her feel bad. How would it not?

Because I already stated that she doesn't know about it. Read the entire post before you reply.

A sorority does this to one of their own??!?? How about doing something mature, like sitting down with your "sister" and discussing the situation? Now there's a concept!

They already did that, she knows they don't like her and she knows why, but she keeps acting the same way. So it's all on her.

Would you want someone posting garbage like that about YOU?

I don't do things that would make people want to post "garbage" about me.

Defamation requires that what is published be false. Truth and opinion are both free speech, so you can say whatever you want about this girl as long as it is the truth and as long as it is pure opinion that does not state false facts.

Being mean on its own, unfortunately, is not against any law.

Thanks for the help.

 

[quincy]

You're welcome.

By the way, I did want to add that, even if something that is posted is opinion or truth, these facts do not prevent a lawsuit - they are merely defenses to any defamation lawsuit should one be filed against the posters.

In addition, if any private facts about this girl are posted, whether true or not, these could give rise to an invasion of privacy action.

So it is wise to be careful when posting anything, especially anything derogatory, about identifiable people. While free speech allows for insults and derogatory comments, there ARE limits to what can be said safely. Anyone can sue, for any reason whatsoever, even if there is little likelihood of winning such a suit.

 

[fairisfair]

Because I already stated that she doesn't know about it. Read the entire post before you reply.



They already did that, she knows they don't like her and she knows why, but she keeps acting the same way. So it's all on her.



I don't do things that would make people want to post "garbage" about me.



Thanks for the help.

Reallly??? I would say that what you are doing to this girl alone is enough to make me want to post garbage about you.

Oh ,but then, calling you a snotty stuck up gossipy little brat would be .....

true.

 

[Roo]

The OP would be wise to Google Megan Meier before proceeding.

 

[quincy]

It was actually the mother of one of Megan's "friends" who was discovered responsible for opening the Facebook account linked to Megan's suicide. It is not hard to see, in that case, why the young girls involved in tormenting Megan were the way they were.

I believe kids have always been "mean" and I believe kids have always bullied others who were different. One of the problems today is that this bullying is carried out online in front of a wider audience, and the impact, therefore, is much greater.

It is often a fine line between free speech and legally injurious speech. However, you don't want to restrict speech freedom too much.

Unfortunately, restrictions are more likely if the majority of parents do not instruct their children early on that there are limits to this freedom, and then do all that they can to discourage their children from writing harmful communications. This can mean taking full control of the home computer and monitoring their children's online chats and blogs carefully.