Instagram insults get teens convicted

MANILA, Philippines – Two teenage girls from Sweden were found guilty of libel Tuesday, June 25, after the two posted derogatory remarks on the photography sharing service Instagram in December 2012.

Using an anonymous account on Instagram the two girls, one 15 and the other 16 years old, left sexually-charged insults next to pictures of 38 other teens, most of whom were girls as well.

The behavior, in which other teenaged girls and boys were labeled promiscuous or “sluts,” among other things, led to angry protests in Gothenburg, where the two were located.

Two high schools in high-immigration areas of Gothenburg were briefly closed, and teenagers fought with police during attempts to storm one of the schools to seek revenge against another teenage girl suspected of creating the anonymous account.

A video posted to the internet showed a girl being beaten by a large group of teenage boys.

The 15-year old, who confessed to being behind the account, was sentenced to youth detention facility. Her 16 year old friend was sentenced to 45 hours of community service.

During the trial, the older girl denied the charges, and her attorney Claes Ostlund told Swedish Radio said he believed she likely would appeal, citing that the two “lacked means.” Prosecutors said the crime was serious because of the public way the remarks were spread and the number of people affected.

The two were also ordered to pay damages of 15,000 kronor to the 38 victims, totalling 570,000 kronor (approximately 3.7 million pesos) in all. – with reports from Deutsche Presse-Agentur/Rappler.com