RM6 Aunty

This incident happened in Raja Uda, Penang, a few days ago. I try to be impartial and stay neutral as I do not know any of the incidents and the story from both parties are going to be defensive and somehow biased, so I'll focus on their individuals acts. It is not my intention to sensationalise the issue, I shall emphasise.

Chiffon cake, the source of the squabble

RM6 aunty, first of all, you have to understand you have no rights to go around and snap a person's photo just because you feel like doing so. That little girl has legal rights to refuse being photographed, even though in this incident she claimed that she was hiding because she was crying. I do not know and do not want to know whether she was deliberately avoiding the camera or actually bent down and cried, but if she fully understood the situation, she still could refuse being photographed.

How could she know that you, after taking the photo, wouldn't abuse it for defamation? How could she know you wouldn't use it for illicit acts? Fake accounts have been created using another person's profile pictures to do illegal trades and offer sex service. Worse, some provide prostitution. Some do it for internet harassment. How could she know you wouldn't do all of this?

She couldn't. So she has the right to deny being photographed.

Whether she actually called her friends to harass you on Facebook, or she treated you like sh*t or whatnot would be something I do not intend to give comments on. But from what I see, you hadn't handled this situation as maturely as your age suggests.

The little girl sounded apologetic. Her friends' attack on you may be inappropriate and reeks of personal attacks but this little girl involved could not be held accountable. She could have told her friends to halt all attacks, but they are teenagers. Rebellion is in their nature. Yes, both sides do not seem to have taken the right actions to avoid sinking deeper into this quagmire. An interference from third parties (the little girl's friends) exacerbated the problem. It is my belief the little girl could not be held accountable for the internet vigilante. Just like you couldn't be responsible for those who stood up for you and attacked the little girl, although from my observation, the number is low.

I understand the frustrations you experience, but this is what happens if you deal with teenagers, and to make it clear it doesn't mean I stand by you. I understand your frustrations but it doesn't mean I approve your subsequent actions. It has grown to become a complicated case, arising from a very simple misunderstanding, and now who should be held responsible and how this case could be solved amicably would be anybody's guess.

If the police has handled the case, here's one thing: even if the police concludes the little girl is responsible and guilty of the mess you're currently in, from the internet vigilante and Court of Facebook, you have lost, and your reputation has been destroyed beyond repair.

I wish both of you all the best in handling this predicament.