Katie Couric's Notebook: Internet Suicide
It's a landmark case in Internet law. You may remember the Missouri woman accused of posing as a teenage boy on MySpace. Using the fake identity, she allegedly began taunting a 13-year-old neighborhood girl who eventually committed suicide.
Video: Lori Drew was called a monster, a predator, a cyber bully ... but she's not charged in the girl's death. Missouri prosecutors said no laws were broken. Instead, Drew is now on trial in Los Angeles for allegedly violating her MySpace agreement. Some say it's a legal stretch, while others can't understand why she isn't being tried for a much more serious offense.
It's a reminder that our laws don't always keep up with ever-changing technology. Every day people post things on-line they would never say in person. But those digital words matter, a lesson Lori Drew found out the hard way, and a 13-year-old girl is dead.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
Granted, the child may have been teetering at the edge, albeit there''s no denying that Lori Drews immature actions were the nudge that sent her over.
As the mother of a teenage daughter, I can''t imagine a mother taking part in such a cruel head game.... shame on her.
This case was a tragedy, and the woman who said these terrible things to this girl has to live forever with the aftermath on her conscience.
Yet major depression is what killed that poor girl. She needed professional help. It is probable she was on the road to such a desperate act long before she struck up the online relationship with this fake "boyfriend".
It is a pitiful situation. You can''t help but feel for the parents. But to say that this woman "killed" this poor creature is not accurate.
Major depression is the killer, and until our society breaks down the barriers of stigma and ignorance that surround this terrible disease, the fallen from this "war" will continue to mount up.
Legislate money toward treatment. Legislate money toward research. Legislate money toward education for parents and youths. Break the stigma!
It will save many more than the mere legislation of internet speech.
Eric