Hacker News Reader

If I saw this poll I would assume it was a joke. Does the law have no understanding of irony? Serious question for those who might know (I know this is Malaysia so things are different).

View on HN

Children are still figuring things out, and are extremely sensitive to feedback from peers. I wouldn't assume this was a joke, and, even if it was (or a ploy for attention, or playing with being dramatic, or whatever), negative peer feedback could turn it serious.

Also, it's not like certain social media companies don't know this about children, and they've published research on exploiting that for their own manipulative purposes.

Right, but presumably the people voting on this poll are kids too, so it's hard for them to bring the same attitude to the situation.

Based on her response, do you think it was a joke to her? Can you be absolved of slander or inciting riots if you say you were just kidding?

Obviously not. Can you be absolved if you didn't think you'd be taken seriously? That's the question, isn't it? Many laws use language like "knowingly" and "purposefully" to signify that intention plays a role.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com