http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberstalking_legislationAs the internet's role in society, especially with the youth increases, legislators are adapting to the new opportunities social media allows for torturing the shit out of people for stuff like being gay or different. There is actually a healthy debate going on in congress and with the ACLU and other concerned groups about where the line to protected free speech ends and malicious harassment begins.
Saying my old friend on the internet can be pretty much written off as free speech, but there are boundaries that can be crossed to tip it into illegal harassment.. and things you say or do on the internet CAN come back to haunt you later in life, whether it be legal, looking for jobs, or maybe even just a girlfriend deciding to google you and finding out you have 1000+ posts on an internet horses mod forum, mostly of you trolling, then decides to break up with you over it.