I've done alot of thinking about this case - actually, Maureen got me thinking about this quite awhile back. The Megan Meier case was an eye-opener for alot of people...unfortunately, I think, it did not come as a surprise to those of us who watch forums and chat rooms where children are present.

So....I think it starts at home. Listen to your kids. Believe in their concern, believe in their stress about how they are perceived online. A teen's online reputation is more important than their "real" one. Why? Because they have created what they believe is the "perfect" side of themselves. To have that struck down (( In Megan's case it was "You are ugly and hateful and you should just die" )) is too much for these kids. They have built what they thought everyone wanted from them, and then it's destroyed.

By validating their need to be heard, you validate their concern, but you also diminish it by letting them know "You are not alone in this." That is what drives a child to hurt themselves...they feel they have no other recourse.

Of course, some parents cannot do this...for whatever reason (but somehow, I think if a parent is willing to read this board to protect their child, they are willing to listen to him or her). That is where the schools can step in. Programs, counselors, peers...it only takes one person to be there.

But legislation? I don't know. It seems that legislating someone's speech on line (whatever the intention of said speech) is dangerously close to shackling free speech. Also, I think it would be quite hard to draw a line between what is an angry post about someone, and what is a definite attempt causing someone deep and permanent emotional distress.

Again, it all comes down to parenting and peers...and having a support structure in place BEFORE something happens. Larry hit the nail on the head, as usual.

Also, as an offside, a good way to see bullying in action is to visit your local newspaper or television station's website. Most of them have message boards on which you can post about the local newstories. Often most of the posters are regulars. They will crucify each other, and often with great abandon because they are anonynmous. It's a case of "I'm doing this because I won't be caught." Now just imagine your kid being told the same things these nitwits say to each other - it will give you an inkling of what it is to be bullied online.

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Edited by Forgottengargoyle at 01/30/2008 11:18 AM

I saw so many programs about this case, and I must say it was a tragity. If I were Megan's mom and dad I would have taken steps to go after the adults behind this too! What could that mother have been thinking? She helped her daughter sit up this whole profile to bully another child. Real good parenting. As for the daughter, she was anger because Megan wasn't being as friendly with her as she had been. Come on, what are we teaching our kids? As they grow up they are going to have to take on the adult world, and adults are a lot more cruel than that at time. Look at the mom in this case. Sorry just had to say that! This whole matter was so sensely to me!
As far as school monitoring I could go for that! And, if something this tragic and harmful happened again, and you can prove it! Get a law on board. But, no legislation! One thing by the time congress gets finish with it we could be into 3004! And, they would put so many by-laws on it, it would be useless anyway. Let's face it some (and I say that lightly) of them can be bought to make provision to laws so they come out so milked down they really don't do any good. Not that I'm entirely against legislation but I think when it comes down to bully on line it's going to take a whole lot more than a bill being passed by congress to scare these kids, and sometimes parents. And, why can't we get the (and you may not like this one) inter sites involved? Just a thought? This is getting to be a way of life for most kids. And Megan is'nt the only one. I just saw where a little boy hung himself after he had been bully on line. Man, what happened to good old fashion meet me for a knock down drag out? These times at tough for our kids, as parents we have got to be 100 steps ahead of the times. It isn't easy, but then God never said it would be easy! Well, that's kind of my stand.