Shame Deadbeat Dads: Twitter Is Arizona's Latest Method To Shame Delinquent Dads (TWEETS)

Deadbeat dads are being shamed on Twitter in Arizona, but fear not, deadbeat moms are in the same boat, said Arizona's ABC 15. The state's latest one-two punch has the Department of Economic Security (DES) targeting those that owe child support, which according to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey amounts to $1.49 billion dollars.

Ducey made it clear he was not messing around with deadbeats during his State of the State address Monday. To show he means business, the DES tweeted out the names, photos and amount owed by several parents.

How do you avoid being shamed on Twitter? Pay your child support, said Ducey. He isn't talking about those who missed one payment, but those who owe tens of thousands of dollars - or even more than $100K.

"I'm talking to deadbeat dads," said Ducey in Monday's address, according to the Huffington Post. "For too long, you've been able to remain anonymous - able to skirt your financial and legal responsibilities with no shame. Not anymore."

"Too many of our kids find themselves in difficult family situations because their dads aren't being dads," said Ducey, according to Newsmax. "So guys, I've got a message for all of you out there: Wherever the authorities know of a deadbeat dad in Arizona - find him and hold him to his responsibilities with the full force of law. If you are old enough to father a child in Arizona, you're old enough to assume financial responsibility for that child."

Calling the dads "losers," the governor's office discussed the Twitter campaign after the State's address.

"Once a government record is put into the public's hands, it's fully protected under the First Amendment," said ACLU attorney Lee Rowland. "We should be thoughtful about the records we make public because you can't ever rebottle that genie."

Tags

Arizona, Twitter, Child support