POLICE are warning Facebook users they risk having a permanent criminal record or jail time if they use the social networking site to threaten and intimidate people.
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Canobolas Local Area Command Acting Inspector Brenden Turner said a considerable amount of police time and money is now being used to investigate Facebook incidents.
According to acting inspector Turner it’s not just teenagers who are misusing Facebook and turning to police for help.
“It’s become very common for people to make threats to people on Facebook,” he said.
“We see people from all backgrounds and ages doing it, but of course it’s more prevalent with teenagers.
“There seems to be a disconcert with people not realising the consequences can be quite serious.”
Acting Inspector Turner said people face the same charges when they threaten people using a carriage or an electronic device, as they would if they had made the threat in person.
“A lot of people act on the spur of the moment and just don’t have any self control,” he said.
“What they put on Facebook doesn’t just go into a black hole.
“Everyone can see it, it’s not just you who can see it. They don’t realise how far reaching their words might be.”
Acting Inspector Turner said while young people who misuse Facebook are often dealt with under the young offenders’ act, however once they receive three warnings, the consequences become more serious.
“They can end up with a criminal record,” he said.
Acting Inspector Turner said it’s easier to investigate a verbal threat than one made on a carriage device.
“It’s a time consuming investigation and it costs money to make requests (for records) to providers,” he said.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
