Phoebe Prince Update!! 9 Teenagers Accused of Bullying That Led to Suicide!!

[Smurfysmiles]

"The prosecutor brought charges Monday against nine teenagers, saying their taunting and physical threats were beyond the pale and led the freshman, Phoebe Prince, to hang herself from a stairwell in January.

The charges were an unusually sharp legal response to the problem of adolescent bullying, which is increasingly conducted in cyberspace as well as in the schoolyard and has drawn growing concern from parents, educators and lawmakers. "
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/us/30bully.html?src=me

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Smurfysmiles]

I personally am glad that they are being punished severely. However, I don''t agree that those under 18 should have their names published in newspapers around the US. I thought that was against the law? Or is it under 16?

 

[swingirl]

Since they can be changed as adults I don't see why they should be protected. The school officials who knew about it shouldn't be protected either. They are equally responsible.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''m thrilled with this latest development. This is such a tragic case, but unfortunately it''s one of three or four that we''ve seen here in MA in the past year. Last year two eleven year old kids killed themselves over bullying. I think the problem is widespread though with many facets of responsibility. It''s the perpetrators, the parents AND the schools who are responsible and I think the only way to get the parents (and schools in some instances) to realize how serious this is is to take strict and serious action against the kids. Once the parents see that there are consequences to their children''s actions they''ll take the complaints and accusations more seriously instead of getting belligerent and living in denial about their child''s behavior. Similarly, (hopefully) once these parents understand the magnitude of the situation they''ll put pressure on the school to take care of the problem or escalate it accordingly BEFORE it gets to the point it''s at.

Regardless, these kids need to learn that there are consequences to their actions regardless of their age.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I hope they send those sub-humans away for a good long time. I wish workhouses like the ones Charles Dickens wrote about still existed - a workhouse would be the perfect place for them.

 

[Winks_Elf]

Whatever happened to that woman who posed as a young boy and drove a girl to hanging herself in her closet? I wish I could remember the kid''s name. I thought that was beyond disgusting because it was a MOTHER who did this to someone else''s child.

Whether it be an adult purp or a classmate, bullying is just wrong and cruel.

 

[princesss]

Date: 3/30/2010 1:49:51 AM
Author: swingirl
Since they can be changed as adults I don''t see why they should be protected. The school officials who knew about it shouldn''t be protected either. They are equally responsible.

Completely agreed.

 

[dragonfly411]

It''s sad what teenagers and young adults will do to one another these days. I''m glad they are being punished, and I really think some action should be taken against the administration at the school. Bullying needs to be handled properly, and this apparently was not. I hate to think of what happens at schools and I wish they covered this more thoroughly in training.

 

[Prana]

This is such a sad story. I agree with others that said that the school should somehow be held accountable as well. The ''kids'' responsible for this deserve every ounce of whatever punishment they receive.

 

[stepcutgirl]

I really hope these girls and the adults who knew about this get as much of a punishment as possible. I realize they will never get what they deserve, which in mu opinion is treatment until they break like poor Phoebe got, but I hope they are not let go with a slap on the wrist.

These female bullies are mental terrorists.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 3/30/2010 10:04:10 AM
Author: Winks_Elf
Whatever happened to that woman who posed as a young boy and drove a girl to hanging herself in her closet? I wish I could remember the kid''s name. I thought that was beyond disgusting because it was a MOTHER who did this to someone else''s child.

Whether it be an adult purp or a classmate, bullying is just wrong and cruel.

Winks, I know what you''re referring to, but I don''t know the name of that woman or girl either.

It''s really horrible what kids go through

It really makes me re-think having children .. seems like they''re bound to get hurt one way or another.