Should convicted sex offenders have to post their criminal status on Facebook?

1. 75

   Marisaupaposted 11 years ago

   Should convicted sex offenders have to post their criminal status on Facebook?
   
   A new law in Louisiana slated to go into effect in August will require all convicted sex offenders and child predators with a social networking account to post their criminal status on their profiles.  How do you feel about this?

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2. 68

   Ellana317posted 11 years ago

   Wow... I'm conflicted about this.  As a parent I'm rooting the justice system on because I want my child protected by any means neccessary but as a citizen it seems rather intrusive, even for a sex offender.  (Insert confused emoticon here)  Hummmm...?

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3. 94

   Marketing Meritposted 11 years ago

   There are some crimes which are particularly heinous. Sex offences, especially where children are concerned, is one of them.
   
   In principle, I personally don't object to the proposal. If you violate another person/child then I believe you have a limited right to claim "civil rights" regardless of time served.
   
   However, I am intrigued to see how this is going to be enforced. There are so many bogus accounts out there already and proxies which can be used to conceal the location/identity of an individual.
   
   Also, don't forget that there are many sex offenders, who haven't been caught and convicted. This may generate a false sense of security amongst social network users.

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4. 61

   kayecandlesposted 11 years ago

   yes-many offenders do the same thing 2 or more times, and it is almost like an addiction. It is a risk not to have the offender do so.

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   1. 78

      junksellerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Recidivism is actually pretty low (about 5%). The vast majority of sex crimes are by first-time offenders or those yet to be caught.

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   2. 62

      beadreamer247posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Please inform yourself a bit more about sex offenders and they already live a life with so many obligations and restrictions, once you would realize how their life is after prison, you would think twice if we should burden them with even more.

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5. 87

   prospectboyposted 11 years ago

   I think it's kinda a bit over the top having to put it on Facebook, but I guess I don't have much of a problem with it. When a person does something as dirty and low as some of these people do, there are often life long consequences that come with it. I guess this would be an added form of punishment.

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6. 71

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   That would be amazing! I love it! Of course it was a southern state that came up with this.

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7. 86

   kschangposted 11 years ago

   Public shame is a long-observed control by society on individuals.

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8. 78

   junksellerposted 11 years ago

   No. This is simply a feel-good law. Statistically there isn't conclusive evidence that sex offender registration does any good in terms of deterring sexual assaults or reducing recidivism and public notification rules don't seem to work either and might potentially make things worse.
   
   If these people are deemed safe to be in society than it is better to promote integration, not segregation. Isolation and shame exacerbate the anti-social mental state which leads to crime.
   
   Children should not be befriending strangers on their social networking accounts period, whether a giant sexual predator flag pops up or not. It's alright for parents to actually do a little parenting once in awhile.

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   1. 62

      beadreamer247posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      junkseller, thanks for your comments. Society is going over the top with sex offenders, as if they need someone to point the finger at. Murderers are being treated so much nicer and have fewer restrictions for life etc....

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9. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   I'm not sure it would be effective.  Anyone can open a Facebook account with false information so why we think a person inclined in that way would be honest  maybe be naive - I just don't see it as being effective.

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10. 63

    blessed365posted 11 years ago

    If they have to do that, every criminal who has been convicted should also have to do the same.

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11. 77

    Janine Huldieposted 11 years ago

    As a parent of 2 little girls and an educator, I would have to answer yes to this question.

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12. 60

    Tonyx35posted 11 years ago

    There are already websites with such information:
    National Sex Offender Public Website (Entire US)
    
    For people who live in Illinois we, have the Illinois Sex Offender information site. You can also check your town/village website for possible information.
    
    The only thing I could see this being useful for is if Parents could somehow access/view their  own child's friends list and see that they're not communicating with an offender. Facbook sets it up so that Minors can not add sex offenders to their friends list or vice versa.

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13. 55

    Fordaddictposted 10 years ago

    According to facebook policy. No person with a conviction for a sex offense is permitted to use their service. If you know of a sex offender on Facebook report that person. These people are sick and may be using the service to talk to children.

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