Embarrassing others to correct their behavior is nothing new -- stockades and tarring and feathering were favored methods in colonial America, after all. But today, individuals and the media can point out egregious behavior via social media and reach a wide audience. There are countless examples of people who have lost their jobs and received physical threats because of shaming that went viral. Did the punishment fit the crime? Through a multitude of viewpoints and examples, readers will examine the value of public shaming: Is it an effective disciplinary tool or simply a way for people to feel morally superior?

Is public shaming needed in today's society? The digital age amplifies the dangers of public shaming /Kristine Iannelli -- Public shaming erodes free expression / Russell Blackford -- Public shaming disrupts due process / Tauriq Moosa -- Institutions and corporations that do harm should be shamed / Amelia Urry -- Courts using creative forms of punishment should also use caution / Greg Beato -- Is public shaming an effective disciplinary tool? Shaming juvenile offenders does not benefit anyone / Robyn Lincoln -- Online shaming robs people of their humanity / Anne Collier -- Shamed children of color may internalize racist cultural standards / Stacey Patton -- Shame is not an appropriate tool for the classroom / Pernille Ripp -- Kids want discipline, not shame / Jennifer Keys Adair -- Should the media engage in public shaming? Online shaming is a kind of bullying / Laura Hudson -- Public shaming is an abuse of the media's power / Kristy Hess and Lisa Waller -- Online shaming is becoming too widespread / Fruzsina Eordogh -- Insensitive tweets can cause a tremendous backlash / Jesse Singal -- Social media shaming is a good thing / Matt Buchanan -- Is public shaming an appropriate means of punishing criminal offenders? Judges should not use public shaming for publicity's sake / David M. Reutter -- Public shaming might not constitute cruel and unusual punishment / Lyle Denniston -- The public shaming of sensitive offenses violates civil rights / David Rosen -- Social media shaming is a fair and effective punishment / Lauren M. Goldman -- Shaming can reduce recidivism / Wray Herbert -- Humiliation is appropriate in certain circumstances / John Richards.