Social Networking as a Communications Weapon to Harm Victims: Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter Demonstrate a Need to Amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 26 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 415 (2009)

The article discusses how social networking sites can pose a danger to victims of online offensive content. Part II provides an overall analysis of the dangers the Internet, especially social networking, poses to victims. Part III reviews Section 230 of the CDA, including the “Good Samaritan” provisions for social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook. Part IV analyzes three recent court cases that demonstrate how these social networking tools are used as weapons to harm victims.

Part V concludes with a discussion of how the growing number of online incidents stem from social networking sites. It recommends that Congress should amend the CDA to clarify the penalty for individuals who post offensive content on the Internet, including social networking sites.