[spetznaz]

I disagree. I think cyber bullying is far worse. I grew up in a generation where if someone bullied you they'd be in front of you, and you always had an option of throwing the first punch. That would lead to either the bully walking away, or getting your behind kicked. Either way, you'd get respect. And worst case - when school ended, the bullying ended.

Nowadays it seems that the bullying never ends. Even if someone goes home, the bullies can still get through. Even if someone changes schools. Even if someone changes States! It is absolutely insane, and it appears that even people who don't know the victim join in the bullying.

And what's worse, one cannot just go and punch the bully. They tend to be many, and they are virtual. Often anonymous. And with a lot of homework and class material sent online, one cannot just disconnect from the web.

I am glad I grew up in an era where bullies could be punched, and win or lose that crap remained in school. Nowadays it appears ever present, very persistent, and to be honest - insidious.

[Steelfish]

I agree. This is is broad audience where just about everyone is allowed to join in. This becomes a free for all against one. We are dealing here with victims who lack maturity and or proper parental guidance.

[HonkyTonkMan]

Heartbreaking story. Lot of issues here: family, school, faith, etc. Agree with not being able to get away from social media....a child (really an adult in this case) cannot escape from the stigma created online.

It's really sad people tear down others for pleasure. Nothing to be gained by engaging in this behavior.

[workerbee]

I don't understand people that think "just don't go online" is the answer -- or why giving the perpetrator that kind of power is the answer. Regardless, the pervasiveness of cyberbullying is so all-encompassing; it doesn't get resolved because one screen goes dark.

[bgill]

Get a phone that doesn’t allow internet or texts. Turn off the computer and the bully goes away.

[DesertRhino]

Not to mention that for girls it is even non-punchable. This anonymous app and whoever created her fake FB account was unknown to her. Who does she punch out?
And with girls, think if its your daughter or sister and as she walks through school everyone is laughing about the gang bang she gave the football team last week.
And she isn’t that way at all.

I think face to face bullying is much less stressful.