Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sexting-related bullying cited in Hillsborough teen's suicide - St. Petersburg Times





Sexting-related bullying cited in Hillsborough teen's suicide - St. Petersburg Times

This is the background story that was published in the St. Petersburg Times prior to the story on federal lawsuit filing announcement, April 13, 2011. Sexting can be dangerous.  One click of the send button can mean thousands of unintended recipients.It is imperative that children and adults  realize  nothing you send electronically is sacred.  The words cut, paste, copy, reply, forward, reply to all,  are perpetually virulent mechanisms all used to encourage users to share information worldwide.  In the case of Hope Witsell, her intended recipient turned out to be hundreds
. In the mind of a 13 year old, they don't think of the possible consequences of sending an email, text or picture through electronic means. The danger is overwhelming not only for criminal  masterminds on the other side but for the innocent on the sending side whose intention was the message to be private.  Bullying is not about scribblings on the bathroom wall.  Those can be painted over.  Bullying is not about passing a mean note. Those can be thrown in the trash. Bullying through  cyberspace is forever haunting and disturbing, especially for a young person who intended to do nothing wrong. Now a young life has been lost!

Photo: My Philly lawyer Blog

No comments:

Post a Comment