Teen Suicides Due To Cyber Bullying, Sexting, Texting: Is It Getting Worse?
by Fran Larson(34)Four years ago, (2006) on March 6 th, Evangelicals got together and named September as Teen Awareness Month. This day was designated to empower and engage teens, according to Lillian Kwan, a Christian Today Correspondent. Ms Kwan also tells us that teens can be empowered to stand firm against the negative influences of our pop culture. Teen awareness month to give wake up call to teen trends. Evangilicals have named September for this timely cause.
As parents, grandparents, teacher, leaders and citizens, we have the honor and responsibility to protect and educate our teens. On a regular basis, people are hearing horror stories about bullying and cyber bullying on programs, such as Oprah and Dr. Phil. It is a growing epidemic. The following is from our book, Character Keys to a Bright Future, copyright, 2004:
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada:
Sixteen months ago, Dawn-Marie Wesley killed herself. The 14-year-old said she had been bullied and threatened. She said she believed death was her only escape.
Two teenage girls from her school were charged with criminal harassment and uttering threats. A judge found one of the two teenage girls guilty on two counts of uttering threats and one of criminal harassment in her death. During their trial, the court heard one accused say she'd beat up Dawn Marie. In a phone call, the other accused teen admitted calling Dawn Marie and saying: "You're dead. " The defense had argued these are common schoolyard threats. The guilty teen will be sentenced at a later date. A third girl still faces trial, also on charges of threatening Dawn Marie.
Cindy Wesley, Dawn Marie's mother, says she hopes people will take bullying much more seriously now. Just six months before Dawn Marie hanged herself, another B.C. teen Hamed Nastoh jumped off a bridge and died in Surrey, leaving a note saying constant bullying made him do it . (Used by permission CBC New Online Staff//cbc.ca)
How has cyber bullying changed?
In 2006, when I co –authored Character Keys to a Bright Future , I don't think I fully realized that cyber bullying would be reaching levels that I hadn't even thought of, such as sexting and - bodysnarking (when someone posts an unflattering photo of an unsuspecting victim on their blog, then invites others to comment on her appearance).
I wish I could tell you that things have changed for the better, as far as cyber bullying goes, but they have not. Every day on the news you hear of children from 9 years old and up taking their own life because of cyber bullying.
The number of kids who have been victims of cyber-bullying is at an all-time high. According to Love Our Children USA, 1 in 4 kids are bullied, and 42 percent are bullied online. Cyber-bullies antagonize kids and teens using tactics including writing hateful blogs, sending nasty Instant Messages, stealing passwords, and posting embarrassing photos of their victims. (momlogic.com)
You can be the best parent in the world, but still when your child is made to feel "different" and is harassed, the deep hurt that she/he feels can lead to suicide.
I found this web site, which can be enormously helpful. It is: www.loveourchildrenusa.org
A look back on the last 4 years is depressing, as far as cyber bullying goes. I ask myself what can I do?
I just have to ask myself, what cruel thing could one teen say to another to make the pain so deep that they would want to leave this world?
Article submitted Sunday, February 21, 2010 & read 326 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Linda DeWitt (191 days 15 hours ago.)
Good article Fran. It seems like suicides are becoming more and more prevalent every day. Scary world we live in. Thanks for sharing.Respond to this comment
» left by Fran Larson(34) (191 days 15 hours ago.)
Yes, it is scary. I think we have to think of a way to help these kids before it is too late. Marie Osmond's son took his own life 4 days ago...so sad.Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (121 days 18 hours ago.)
thaats really sad that someone would do that to someone they dont even know that well and they made her kill her self thats really meanRespond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (121 days 15 hours ago.)
Yes, it is very sad but unfortunately there is a lot of bullying going on. Thanks for reading and responding.
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