On Monday, March 17, Judge Roger L. Lund, a Ventura County Superior Court judge, visited Mr. Michael Self’s Economics class in Room 7-14 from 1:33 to 2:23 p.m. to talk about an important and dangerous issue: doxxing. Doxxing is when someone publishes another person’s private information online, like their home address, phone number, or email, often with the intent to harm, intimidate, or threaten them. Judge Lund started by explaining that doxxing is a serious problem in today’s world.
“Doxxing isn’t just about exposing someone’s personal details,” he said, “It’s about putting them at risk and making them vulnerable to harm.” He explained that while the First Amendment protects free speech, sharing someone’s private information in this way crosses a line. Judge Lund used an example from his own career, where he had to step in to protect someone whose information was being spread online. “If it jeopardizes someone’s safety, that’s where the law steps in,” he added.
Throughout his talk, Judge Lund emphasized that, while we all have the right to free speech, we don’t have the right to harm others by sharing their private information. He explained how doxxing can have serious consequences for both the person being targeted and the person doing the doxxing. “This can lead to people being harassed, threatened, or even physically harmed,” he warned. Mr. Self, also shared his thoughts. “We have to be careful with the information we share, especially online,” Mr. Self said, “Just because something is public doesn’t mean it’s okay to share it, and we should always think about the impact it could have on someone else’s life.”
Mr. Self pointed out that many people don’t realize how their actions can affect others, especially in a world where social media and the internet make it easy to share information without thinking through the consequences. One class member, Noel Silva, a senior, gave his brief thoughts on the topic. “I experienced doxxing before because I play alot of online games, and it’s really scary.”
Judge Lund’s visit to our class made it clear how serious the issue of doxxing is. It was not just a lesson about the law but also about respect for others and the consequences of our actions in the digital age. He encouraged all of us to be more responsible when using the internet. “We need to protect people’s privacy and understand that every piece of information we share has consequences,” Lund said. The discussion also touched on the idea of privacy in a digital world.
Judge Lund mentioned how technologies like social media apps have made it easier than ever to find and share private details about someone’s life. “Even a small detail, like sharing someone’s location on Snapchat or posting about their personal life without their permission, can be harmful,” he said. His visit was a reminder for all of us that while we have the freedom to speak and express our opinions online, there are limits to that freedom, especially when it comes to someone’s safety. “You can express yourself, but don’t use that freedom to hurt or threaten others,” Judge Lund concluded. It was a very eye-opening experience for everyone and we left the lesson with a greater understanding of why privacy matters and how important it is to be cautious with what we share, both online and in person.
