Chapter 36 resources for the Cyberlaw bookResources and Links for the book Cyberlaw: Law for Digital Spaces and Information Systems, by John Bandler

By John Bandler

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Chapter 36 Cyber Speech and the Battle for our Minds

This chapter culminates our coverage of law, speech, expression, and society and explores the reasons why so many groups want to influence -- and even manipulate us -- online. Now that we understand the laws about speech and expression we can see where those laws end and explore what personal and societal duties should exist. We also cover the Communications Decency Act and other issues arising from speech and expression online, including a second look at the "Cannibal Cop" case.

Chapter references, resources, and additional reading

Chapter questions

  • What do you think about the speech categories laid out in the chapter, including the addition of "influencing speech"?
  • To what extent are individuals subject to being influenced? How much of this influence comes from cyberspace?
  • How often are we influenced to believe in facts, or to do things that are generally beneficial for ourselves or society?
  • How often are we influenced to believe falsehoods, or to do things that are generally harmful for ourselves or society?
  • If powerful or wealthy individuals or groups are able to influence others through cyberspace, how do we know how to detect those attempts, and then decide whether we should follow that influence or not?
  • Is it concerning if a foreign power attempts to influence individuals within our country? Should it matter whether we agree with their position or not?
  • Why do you think the CDA was named the way it was, and what do you think of that name?
  • Are there conspiracy theories that you think are ridiculous, but that other people genuinely believe in?
  • Are there beliefs that you think are true, but other people think they are ridiculous conspiracy theories?
  • Is it generally ok to believe something is true, when it is false? Are there some false beliefs that are more dangerous or more harmful than others?
  • How does one draw the line between "cyberbullying" and "free speech"? Do we need more precision with those terms?
  • Are there age groups (generations) that are more or less likely to be duped online? Does this change by education level? By profession?

Links and information

This page is hosted at https://johnbandler.com/cyberlawbook-resources-ch36, copyright John Bandler, all rights reserved.

Originally posted 11/23/2024.  Updated 12/20/2025.