Police warn to be careful what goes on the Net

Caledon OPP is advising people of the importance of all users of the Internet to be aware of their roles regarding information management liabilities, the impacts of their activities and the effect that their decisions have on other people.

They must all take responsibility for managing the rights and obligations of the Internet.

Police point out that social networking sites are public. The information posted is available to the public and is designed to be viewed by more than one person. Thus, it is also considered a publication. To publish means to communicate information to third parties knowing that it will be read, seen or heard.

Once posted, the information belongs to the social networking site.

All users of a social networking site have previously read and accepted a user agreement before becoming a member of the site. They have agreed to a Code of Conduct. Users can be banned if found to be in conflict of the Code of Conduct or User Agreement.

Facebook states that inappropriate content would include, "content that makes threats of any kind or that intimidates, harasses or bullies anyone."

Users have stated that their messages on the Internet are a right under the freedom of speech. Police reported this is no longer the case, as the number of civil actions is on the rise, instigated from postings on the Internet.

Any posting on social networking sites that is in direct contradiction to a court ordered publication ban could result in the authors being held criminal responsible for defying that court order.

Any posting containing threats or causing intimidation or harassing anyone could result in criminal charges against the authors. that is especially the case if the posting directly jeopardize the safety of another person.

Publishing the name of a young person in conflict with the law is an offence under the Youth Criminal justice Act.

Police stress that Internet users, particularly youth, may not truly understand the extent to which they place themselves at risk when becoming involved in social networking sites, such as Facebook and My Space. Their perceptions of parental, police and educators knowledge of the sites are naive. Many believe that the group sites or even their own personal profiles are viewed by only those they choose. This is not the case, as all information on the Internet is public information and can be viewed by anyone, including teachers, the police and the media.