Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Keywords

Chilling effects, online harassment, cyberbullying, free speech, first amendment, empirical legal research, cyberharassment, women's rights, gender studies

Abstract

Do laws criminalizing online harassment and cyberbullying "chill" online speech? Critics often argue that they do. However, this article discusses findings from a new empirical legal study that suggests, counter-intuitively, that while such legal interventions likely have some dampening effect, they may also facilitate and encourage more speech, expression, and sharing by those who are most often the targets of online harassment: women. Relevant findings on this point from this first-of-its-kind study are set out and discussed along with their implications.

Comments

From the Selected Works of Jonathon Penney

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