NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina has changed the School Violence Prevention Act, signed into law July 15, to make it illegal for students to create fake social media profiles mocking school administrators.
The changes prohibit making fake accounts or posting real and doctored photos of school employees with the intent to “intimidate” or “torment,” the Student Press Law Center reports. Students who violate the law can be charged with a class two misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 30 days probation for a first offense.
Critics have questioned the constitutionality of the law. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina opposed the bill, but was only able to get the line “with the intent to embarrass” removed from the original proposal.
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