While group chats are meant to be shared spaces for participants to engage in level-headed discussions and (sometimes) disagreements, some may instead use it as a platform for their personal vendetta.
A young boy in Shanghai, China hauled his father to court after the latter allegedly aired the family’s dirty laundry in his school group chat, which became a source of embarrassment for him.
Acrimonious relationship
According to South China Morning Post, the man named Lin had a rocky relationship with his estranged wife, leaving his son, Lin Junior, to endure the brunt of it all while living with his mother.
Instead of limiting the fights with his wife within the home, Lin decided to take things further by posting the arguments to multiple group chats.
SCMP reported that since last November, he repeatedly used “extremely emotional and derogatory” language in his son’s class chat group, the parents’ group, and a neighbourhood group.
In those messages, Lin accused his wife and her parents of tearing the family apart and antagonising his son.
Takes dad to court
Deeply ashamed by the arguments posted by his father, Lin Junior sued the latter and requested a court order prohibiting Lin from continuing to post defamatory and threatening messages, as well as harassing and stalking him and other close relatives.
In its ruling, the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Court sided with Lin Junior, saying his father had violated his personal dignity and right to privacy.
It also said Lin’s actions had caused psychological harm to his family and constituted domestic violence.
In addition, the court issued a protection order prohibiting Lin from contacting his son and other close relatives through phone calls, messages, or online posts.
However, it rejected Lin Junior’s request for a “no-contact” order, meaning his father is still free to visit and supervise him from time to time.
Many praised the court’s ruling and said such behaviour from parents leave psychological scars on their children for years to come.
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