So someone can really be prosecuted over facebook...:)

There is going to come a day when internet laws will be possible, involving fines and possible jail time for breaking these 'laws'. But yet, as a people who know right from wrong, and can judge independently without being told to, we do know how to handle and promote ourselves online and avoid hurting anyone or taking offense to it. Problem is, too many people are not like that, and a majority of it seem to be those who are younger and those who are first time comers to the internet. For example, I met this young woman in her twenties, and she is a fan of Naruto. But she gets upset and angry if you tell her you don't care nor like the show. Worse yet, she insults the things you may like by calling it dumb. And though she has a mental condition, verified by a friend of mine who knows her in real life, her attitude can still be a bother to others. I've also heard about the girl on MySpace who was taken advantage of like that. It is a shame when young people like are mislead with lives cut so short.

No, I don't believe that anyone should go to jail for writing something about someone on facebook but, in the U.S., you can be sued for damages if you do and it's a lie. It's against the law to publish something negative about another person or company that you claim to be factual when you know it's not. It's called libel, among other things.

Its not just facebook but over the internet. If it is about crime and violence and illegal activities, you are breaking the law. You should be prosecuted because its about security and crime. Teaching people make destructive material is dangerous and police can and should bring these people to court. Children are also using the internet and Facebook, they should be prevented from seeing these "immoral" activities. Not all activities are acceptable to some countries. Some find eating rats or worms disgusting but National Geographic showed some countries doing these. Its always " The moaral of the story is ....." , if you know what I mean.

it depends if it is covered by their laws. in some countries, no laws have been implemented yet pertaining to the internet. since people nowadays tend to use internet as a means of communication and information, other countries were prompted to enact such law. personally, the carelessness of the student in posting such comment against his professor should not be a ground for sending him to prison. they must have at least dealt with the parents or imposed some disciplinary action like community service that doesn't involve imprisonment. or a public apology may do for causing damage to teh said professor. :)

There should be due process. The account owner can always cancel his or her account if it leads to that and it is going to be very hard to establish proof. However, if the other party has already copied the info as proof,and there is reason to file a lawsuit, then so be it, provided that the other person is given fair trial and not just locked up in jail without undergoing due process.

That's a very sad thing. I think we have the privilege to express how we feel. There is certain limitation for us on what we say or do. It did insult that teacher but facebook is an online community you can say what you want. The student doesn't have to go to jail. That student just needs to understand that some things are worth not saying.

daintykane. Say what you like, but every country will just have their own laws and how they do things. I think I have seen and heard enough about freedom of speech and if I might add here that social networking site is in the first place not for us to rant or ramble or grumble or most of all, speak irresponsibly especially flouting the law and then challenging it. Tsk! Tsk! I just cannot understand what is it with these undergrads who is regarded as the nation's future - honestly, what is this undergrad doing, insulting a celebrity instead of getting himself graduated. He may think he is justified there, but think again - is it his job, in the first place? Isn't it the job for the tabloids to write about celebrities misdemeanors? So, his music mentor is a corrupted scoundrel, isn't it a better good to report him to the country's anti-corruption bureau then write insinuating insults in his Facebook account? Say what you like or don't like - but look before you leap! It is a fact that Asian culture is conservative and the legal system is a reflection of it. Harsh as it may seem but this is a case whereby the "if other countries can do it, why can't mine" rule does not apply. As an intellect, he should be fully aware of the consequences and perhaps practice his antics within his own confines. On the hindsight, let me say this - place yourself in that music mentor's shoes and that the remarks on your protege's facebook account is nothing but a smearing campaign. Then, please ask yourself how will you feel? Wouldn't you appreciate the fact that the law is on your side here?

it could be a libel suit because internet is considered medium of publication. so whenever insulting words could be used as evidence. but i am not for the restriction of the site or any site. the only thing we can do to avoid such prosecution is to secure our profile or account.

It's really funny. But i guess, there are enough evidence you can find if you post it somewhere in your Facebook accounts. But i think getting jailed because of an insult is too much. But then again saying something against somebody with malice should not be tolerated.

To express my view about any thing is my right. There should not be any such law which violate this right.

If parents were busy being parents, I don't believe any country would have to make laws against facebook or myspace or mylot or whatever. What the child did was rude and brash and gives me the opinion the child was raised without manners. This particular story seems so trivial, and it appears the teacher is acting a bit childish by bringing up charges against the boy. Then, to bring charges up against someone for writing something negative seems a bit odd to me, unless of course it is threatening in nature and could put someone's safety in danger.