The Internet Grows Up?

Authors

Neil M. Richards, Washington University in St. Louis School of LawFollow

Document Type

Essay

Publication Date

2015

Publication Title

Boston University Law Review Annex

Abstract

Danielle Citron’s Hate Crimes in Cyberspace is one of the most important publications to date in the emerging fields of privacy and cyberlaw. In her thoughtful and insightful book, Citron explains the uneven playing field and frequently shocking acts of abuse that women face online, and demonstrates practical steps that we can take to remedy the problem of online hate through law, education, and the development of better, more inclusive norms. Other contributors to this Symposium have examined these contributions in great detail, pointing out important nuances of Citron’s argument, urging her in at least one case to be even bolder in her prescriptions. I agree with much of what has been said, but as the Symposium draws to a close, I would like to take a slightly different tack. I’d like to take a step back from the problems of revenge porn and cyber-harassment, or the extent to which Citron’s remedies comport with what the First Amendment does (or should) provide. When we do that, we see Citron’s efforts (which are far broader than merely this wonderful book) as part of the maturation of digital life. Specifically, Citron’s work is a small but essential part of the larger project of translating our hard-won civil and political rights into the digital sphere—the project, if you will, of helping the Internet grow up.

Keywords

Internet, Digital World, Civil Rights, Political Rights

Publication Citation

Neil M. Richards, The Internet Grows Up?, 95 B.U. L. Rev. Annex 33 (2015)

Repository Citation

Richards, Neil M., "The Internet Grows Up?" (2015). Scholarship@WashULaw. 534.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_scholarship/534