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| Rehtaeh Parsons |
When I was a child, if things got to much to deal with out in the world of school etc., I knew I could get a break from it at home. Home was a place of refuge - a place that gave you a break from the strain and stress of living among your peers. It wasn't a place where your enemies could invade. Those days are gone now for most kids. In some cases, the digital world has enhanced their lives. In others, it has not! This is about the enemy that can storm the gates without you knowing.
In 2012 , BC teen Amanda Todd, left a very disturbing video of flash cards, chronicling her fight and decline into despair due to the unrelenting cyber-bullying that plagued her everywhere she went. And, I do mean everywhere! Eventually suicide would take her. I wonder what some of us as adults would do, given the same parameters?
In the spring of 2013 a teen on the opposite coast of Canada, also took her own life due to cyber-bullying. Rehteah Parsons became the catalyst for change in Nova Scotia. This girl at least attempted to gain redress through the police. Unfortunately, for her, either legal constraints or lack of will on the part of the police, left her in more despair.
Several months after Rehteah's suicide, Nova Scotia introduced a bill that would give victims the right to sue their tormentors. If this right is backed up by the legal system, it will create hope for justice. Aside from that, perhaps it will ensure that people must think before they text etc. And parents of minors could be liable for their actions.
What do I want to see for the coming year? Less entitlement! More gratitude! Everyone makes mistakes - those mistakes should not define their whole life, but, in some cases, like Amanda and Rehteah, that life ends too soon.
Do what matters!
In 2012 , BC teen Amanda Todd, left a very disturbing video of flash cards, chronicling her fight and decline into despair due to the unrelenting cyber-bullying that plagued her everywhere she went. And, I do mean everywhere! Eventually suicide would take her. I wonder what some of us as adults would do, given the same parameters?
In the spring of 2013 a teen on the opposite coast of Canada, also took her own life due to cyber-bullying. Rehteah Parsons became the catalyst for change in Nova Scotia. This girl at least attempted to gain redress through the police. Unfortunately, for her, either legal constraints or lack of will on the part of the police, left her in more despair.
Several months after Rehteah's suicide, Nova Scotia introduced a bill that would give victims the right to sue their tormentors. If this right is backed up by the legal system, it will create hope for justice. Aside from that, perhaps it will ensure that people must think before they text etc. And parents of minors could be liable for their actions.
What do I want to see for the coming year? Less entitlement! More gratitude! Everyone makes mistakes - those mistakes should not define their whole life, but, in some cases, like Amanda and Rehteah, that life ends too soon.
Do what matters!
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