The People's Court Season 25 Episode 115 UnFriending a Friend

In this episode of The People's Court, season 25 episode 115, the case presented is titled "Unfriending a Friend." The plaintiff, Bob, is suing his former friend, Sarah, for emotional distress and damages amounting to $5,000. The plaintiff claims that the defendant unfriended him on social media without any valid reason, thus causing him emotional distress.

Bob alleges that he and Sarah had been close friends for several years, and their friendship strengthened because of their shared interests and opinion on political views. He further claims that they used to discuss their political views and share articles and memes on social media sites like Facebook. However, one day, Sarah, without any explanation, deleted or unfriended him on all her social media accounts, which disrupted their friendship.

Bob claims that he tried to reach out to Sarah, but his messages were ignored. He further adds that he felt hurt and humiliated by Sarah's abrupt action, which caused him suffering. The plaintiff alleges that he has been significantly affected because of the defendant's behavior, as he felt like he had lost a lifelong friend and an essential part of his life.

Sarah denies the allegations made by the plaintiff, stating that her decision to unfriend Bob was personal, and she had specific reasons for doing so. She contends that she had grown apart from Bob, and their views on social and political matters had changed. She asserts that Bob's constant posting of negative comments and memes affected her mental health and well-being. Sarah says that she tried to keep up the friendship but could no longer sustain it, and consequently unfriended him.

While the defendant admits to unfriending Bob, she argues that it was her choice, and it was not intended to cause him any harm. She claims that the plaintiff is reaching out for attention and trying to get back at her for ending their friendship. She adds that she did not block him, and he was free to contact her through other means of communication.

The case brings up questions about friendship in the age of the internet and social media. The presiding Judge, Marilyn Milian, questions both parties about their actions, intent, and understanding of social media friendships. The Judge tries to unpick what constitutes a digital friendship and how it differs from traditional, real-life friends.

The Judge considers the evidence presented by both parties and determines that the defendant did not have valid reasons to unfriend Bob. The Judge acknowledges that the plaintiff may have felt hurt by the defendant's actions, but they do not constitute emotional distress, and therefore, the plaintiff's claim is dismissed. The Judge advises the defendant to be more mindful of her actions when dealing with friends on social media.

The episode of The People's Court, Unfriending a Friend, raises some interesting issues regarding the nature of online friendship and how it can impact individuals. It also highlights the importance of communication and maintaining relationships with friends. While social media platforms allow us to connect with people from different parts of the world, the episode serves as a reminder that we should not take our relationships for granted, whether they are online or offline.