Social media can lead to financial consequences for the parents or guardians of their children. Under Georgia law, parents “may be held directly liable for their own negligence in failing to supervise or control their child with regard to conduct which poses an unreasonable risk of harming others;” This parental responsibility includes a child’s bad behavior online, through the use of social media.
Social Media Posts Make Parents Liable
The Georgia Court of Appeals ruling, which set a legal precedent on the issue of parental responsibility over their children’s online activity, says that a parent or guardian can be held liable for their child’s social media postings. The court ruled that even though the parents could not anticipate their child using the computer in a harmful way, once they found out about the “bad behavior,” they had a duty to supervise further computer activities.
Social Media Posts May Result in a Defamation Claim
In Georgia, as in most states, defamation can take one of two forms: libel or slander. Libel is a false, harmful statement that is written down, or published in print or online, including posts in social media or even in the comment section of a web page or post. Slander is a spoken, false and harmful statement, that links the subject of the statement to certain criminal activity, having a certain disease, performing a morally degrading act, or that harms the subject’s trade, profession, or reputation.
Social Media and Cyber Bullying Attorney
Whether your child has been the victim of slander, libel, or cyber-bullying, or they have been involved in online behaviors that have brought emotional distress or harm, posted comments or pictures that defame, publicly embarrass, or result in self-harm to others, you need a lawyer with the experience and background to handle your case. Make the call to attorney Joel Baskin without delay.