Last week, 2PM’s Taecyeon was involved in a harassment issue, where he ended up threatening to sue two twitter users on basis of sexual harassment. This is the second time in a short while, where a JYP artist has taken action against these comments from Twitter, as seen by Miss A Suzy’s case back in December. This may seem like netizens getting only what they deserve, but have you considered your own twitter activities and how they may be seen by others? Are you aware of the laws we have in the UK to bring justice towards those who post malicious content on social media?
As a Journalism student, I am aware of these laws and how they are used in cases like Taecyeons lawsuit. Twitter is an amazing tool, easy access, instant sharing of news and comments, and it is wonderful for interaction. However, many are not aware of the consequences their personal thoughts may have once published as a tweet.
I am sure that you and I both are very much appreciative and loving towards our favourite idols. We tweet them our love, our appreciation for their music, how pretty they are, how sexy they looked in their last performance. Perhaps we joke with our social media friends about “breathing difficulties” or “xxx needs to stop before I jump him/her”. All fun and games. I for one, never before considered the fact I was publishing these things just as officially as I will be publishing this post. In my words, putting my identity and my name with it.
Of course there is rarely any damage done. I have at most had about 300 followers on my Twitter, and the most re-tweets I get are less than 3. However, do stop to consider what it is you put out there, because you will never know when someone could stumble upon your tweet and suddenly everyone has seen it. Including your biggest idol, who may not see this as much as a joke as what it was when you published it to make your friend laugh.
Although these cases are mostly angled towards to haters, who quite frankly deserve nothing less than getting smacked with a lawsuit to teach them a lesson, it is valuable knowledge to hold. Many of us are prone to doing stupid things when angry, and certain things are just not ok to say. I won’t tell you to not think ugly thoughts about someone, that is up to you entirely and maybe they deserve it. But it is always worth it to think twice about the consequences it might have to publish it where anyone are able to see it.
“The relevant netizen persistently harassed Taecyeon sexually through the use of unspeakable words. Up until now, we were patient, but as the artist himself declared his intent to sue, the company plans on assisting him.
Just like the strong action we took regarding the malicious comments about Suzy in the past, we will take the course of strong action not only in relation to Taecyeon but also in in relation to other artists with similar cases in the future.”
It is good to see artists like Taecyeon standing up for themselves, and have their agencies supporting them. There are so many tasteless remarks towards idols, especially those who use their bodies to aid with marketing, and it is refreshing to see them not simply standing by and letting it go.
I am sure the two netizens in question did not imagine that their tweets would cause this kind of backlash, and I assume they are quite frankly scared. JYP is a powerful company, and I believe they can afford their lawyers. However, I also hope this will serve as a warning to future tweeters, and encourage them to think twice before simply publishing just anything. Idols are humans too. And as stated by JYP in the case of Suzy: “Before she is a celebrity, she is a woman and a minor.“
