The preliminary relief judge of the Court of Noord-Nederland, location Assen, has imposed a contact ban on a minor who expressed online hate and threats via social media towards another minor. The online dispute ended in physical assault.
Safe environment
The preliminary relief judge emphasizes that young people must be able to grow up in a safe environment. Online conflicts can quickly get out of hand because reactions and consequences are less well assessed. (Online) hate, threats and violence do not belong there.
Contact ban justified
According to the preliminary relief judge, (civil) law must protect young people against online intimidation and violence. Such behavior causes feelings of fear and insecurity and affects the freedoms of those guilty of it. Hate mongers and perpetrators of violence must know that their words and actions have consequences for their own freedoms. For that reason, the court considers a contact ban justified.
Judgments
- ECLI:NL:RBNNE:2025:5704