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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think keyboard warrior, virtual mob mentality is STUPID?

11 replies

SmiteYouWithThunderbolts · 16/09/2014 17:24

The arson attack at Manchester Dogs' Home... absolutely heartbreaking and sickening. The fact that a young lad (15yo, I believe) was behind it is equally sickening.

However AIBU to have had a stern word with an old friend for sharing on facebook a photo purporting to be of the culprit, complete with his full name? The facebook page for the dogs' home have asked people NOT to share such images because it could prejudice a jury and ultimately jeopardise legal proceedings.

I get that people are upset by what happened. It was really awful. I also get that people often have little faith in the judicial system. But really, really am I that out of order for thinking it's nothing short of idiotic to post a photo that you don't KNOW is the actual culprit, when the very most that it could achieve is giving his legal defence reason to call a mistrial and end up with him walking away altogether?

I'm not BU, am I?

OP posts:

Username12345 · 16/09/2014 17:26

Is it really him, or do they think it's him?

If it's the latter, that's a very dangerous game to play with someone else life.

SugarSkully · 16/09/2014 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 16/09/2014 17:31

Why on earth would you think you're BU?

Idontseeanysontarans · 16/09/2014 17:31

YANBU. That's the major problem with social media, it give a loud voice to people who should really shut up... Something on a much lesser scale happened locally, supposed adults 'named and shamed' a group of youths who were apparently vandalising cars. Cue threats to them and their families, usual brainless stuff from the mob. Only these kids were innocent. It was proven that they were nowhere near the cars at the time and other youths were arrested. Apologies were pretty noticeable by their absence...

Bulbasaur · 16/09/2014 17:32

If someone threatened me on the internet, I'd laugh. Everyone is brave behind a keyboard. I'd be surprised if someone actually showed up at my house.

Really, all your friend is doing is chanting "fight, fight, fight" in the school yard. It's pathetic.

Personally, everyone posting a picture of him should get slapped with a fine for endangering a minor.

Bigoldsupermoon · 16/09/2014 18:26

Yeah, I've seen estranged family members sharing a photo (apparently) of this kid, plus details of his home address and suggestions that people should go round and set dogs on him.

It's totally ridiculous, and completely lacking in any self-awareness. Arson attacks on animals = BAD. Vigilante justice against children = AWESOME.

ILovePud · 16/09/2014 18:34

YADNBU, Worra did you see any of the thread on this that got pulled a few days back, given some of views expressed on their I'm not questioning why OP might be questioning whether she is out of touch, some utterly rabid posting.

WorraLiberty · 16/09/2014 18:49

I saw one thread that got pulled but it didn't contain a photo purporting to be of the culprit, and potentially jeopardising legal proceedings.

Out of touch or not, I don't think anyone would argue the OP is BU to have a stern word with someone for doing that.

RedToothBrush · 16/09/2014 19:00

Username12345 Tue 16-Sep-14 17:26:35
Is it really him, or do they think it's him?

If it's the latter, that's a very dangerous game to play with someone else life.

Sorry but it doesn't matter either way. The law should deal with someone if they are responsible, not the public. I don't think enough people respect the law as they are obsessed with the idea of justice. The trouble is, if someone commits a crime then justice in a civilised society is something of a mythical thing to the victim; you can only punish within certain limits. And quite rightly so, otherwise you end up in a vicious circle of violence.

KnackeredMuchly · 16/09/2014 19:15

Tell your friend that if it is still up in 2 hours you've no choice but to report it to the police.

Baaaaaaaaaaaa · 16/09/2014 19:56

I had one which a friend had shared and consequently was showing up on my timeline. I traced it back to the original poster and he was gobbing off about someone had reported him and who was it, and uttering threats of what he'd do when he got hold of them. He also acknowledged the photo probably wasn't the youth arrested, but wasn't bothered by it or the other people whose photos had also been bandied about the internet. Oh and as for FB's response, apparently they refused to withdraw the photo.

I understand why people are upset and angry but this bloke's behaviour was disgraceful.

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