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Abstract: 

In the last issue of SLR, we reported on an emerging trend among state legislatures to restrict sex offenders’ access to various forms of social media, including social networks, Internet chats, and instant messaging. We reviewed the evolution, scope, and characteristics of state laws regulating sex offenders’ online activities, and discussed several legal challenges to these laws. Building on our prior presentation of the basic legislative and legal landscape, this article attempts to place the issues at stake into their broader context and to present some practical considerations that may help to guide the development of effective laws and policies in this area.

Keywords: Doe, et al. v. Nebraska, 734 F. Supp. 2d 882, 937, Doe v. Jindal, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1984, Doe v. Prosecutor of Marion County, Social Media

Affiliations:  1: University of Massachusetts Lowell.