Facebook profiles can be set up within minutes to catch up with old friends, but they can also be used to spread rumors and maliciously hurt people.Starting Saturday, however, using a fake online profile or e-mail address to harm others can lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail. The law that creates the new penalties is one of hundreds in California that is taking effect in the new year
Introduced by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, the Facebook law is in reaction to the growing problems surrounding cyberbullying and e-impersonation that are affecting children and adults nationwide.
Cyberbullying has garnered nationwide attention in the past year, with at least three teens committing suicide last fall because of harsh teasing online by their peers.
Simitian listed examples of suicides by teens who were bullied — 18-year-old Tyler Clementi of New Jersey, who was outed as gay by his roommate on the Internet; 15-year-old Billy Lucas of Indiana, who hanged himself after continued bullying from his peers about his sexuality; and 13-year-old Asher Brown of Texas, who shot himself after years of abuse online.
But youths are not the only victims.
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