Be aware of cyber-bullying danger, says bereaved dad

Ciara Pugsley’s father has spoken for the first time about his daughter’s death following cyber-bullying.

Jonathan Pugsley wants his 15-year-old daughter’s death last week to make other young people and parents aware of cyber-bullying.

He appealed to young people to communicate with each other and their parents.

Ciara, from Killargue, Co Leitrim, was found dead in woodlands near her home on Wednesday last week.

Classmates at St Clare’s Comprehensive in Manor-hamilton later discovered that she had been bullied on a website, Ask.fm.

Mr Pugsley said he wants young people to know that taking their own life “is not the right thing to do”,

“Just don’t do this,” he said. “Your family and your friends need you.”

Mr Pugsley said he never thought his chatty, confident daughter could be “vulnerable” to online bullying. He asked young friends to communicate “face-to-face” with each other.

He likened social media to gambling and said it is addictive.

A family friend, Eugene O’Neill, told the congregation at Ciara’s funeral on Sunday that cyber-bullying was “dangerous” and a “lethal weapon”.

He said sports-loving Ciara did not want to die. “She was driven to it by this appalling evil that has invaded our community,” he said.

Gardaí are investigating some of the last posts to Ciara on Ask.fm and attempting to identify some of the anonymous writers.

Jim Lucey, medical director of St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin, said there is no escape from the effects of cyber-bullying for many young people, and recent tragic cases highlight the need for new strategies to address the problem.

Prof Lucey told the Irish Examiner this week that 80% of young people referred to the hospital’s services, who come to them with a range of issues such as eating and anxiety disorders, had been cyber-bullied in the lead-up to being seen.

Meanwhile, research has found that the internet can be an important aid for people with mental health issues.

Inspire Ireland, the youth mental health charity that runs ReachOut.com, did a study on the usefulness of new technology last year.

“In relation to mental health and wellbeing, the research shows that young people increasingly prefer to access information and support online,” said Inspire Ireland programmes and policy director Derek Chambers. “There is also emerging evidence that such technologies can be used effectively in improving mental health and well-being.”

Efforts are now being made to help those working with young people be more tech-savvy and better able to refer them to helpful websites.

“It’s all about enabling young people to take that first step and find information online,” said Mr Chambers.

Researchers want to hear from those working with young people to assess their needs concerning youth mental health and the use of online resources. The findings will be used to develop online training to help them respond to teenagers’ mental health issues.