Bullying cases are back in the news—and they're more intense than ever. Texting and social media have opened new doors to bullies. Recently, msnbc.com published an article in the wake of a Massachusetts teenager's suicide that shared bullying stories from readers. Some were parents reflecting on their own experiences, and some were parents sharing their challenges concerning their children. One message was consistent—all authors wondered why the school's administration wasn't more involved in protecting the victims.
In the most recent bullying case to make national headlines, the school administration is not being held responsible by authorities. However, 11 classmates of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince have had charges brought against them.
Phoebe Prince's family moved to Massachusetts this past year from Ireland. From September until January 14, when Phoebe committed suicide, she was relentlessly bullied. Charges brought against defendants include statutory rape, assault, violation of civil rights resulting in injury, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly, and stalking.
Although this story is getting a lot of media attention, this is not the only case currently in the news about teen suicide related to bullying.
Another heart-wrenching story involves 17-year-old Eric Mohat of Mentor, Ohio. He was bullied so mercilessly in high school that when a classmate suggested he go home and shoot himself, that no one would miss him, he did. His parents have filed a federal lawsuit claiming that their son endured teasing and constant physical abuse in front of school officials who should have protected him.
Eric was involved in theater and was often called such names as "gay," "fag," and "homo" by peers. Reports claim that the majority of teasing took place in math class and the teacher, an athletic coach, failed to protect him.
Three other students from Eric's class have also been reported to have taken their own lives in 2007. The Mohats are claiming that bullying is a significant factor within Mentor High School, and that these cases prove that the district should be held responsible.
Back in the fall, yet another story, this one involving sexting (defined as sharing naked pictures and sexual messages over the Internet or via text message) took the nation by surprise when a 13-year-old girl hanged herself after being harassed in school. Sexting suicides are being tracked the same as cyber suicides—and both of these types of bullying are challenges for schools to prevent and manage.
According to teensuicide.us, teen suicides are the third leading cause of teen death. This site also reports that teen males are more likely to commit suicide than girls. Teen girls are more prone to attempt suicide, but boys are more likely to go through with the act.
Common risk factors for teenage suicide include:
- Aggressive behavior
- Disruptive behavior
- Substance abuse
- Depression
