Amanda Todd - Scourge of cyberbullying

The tragic case of a Canadian teenager who took her own life following years of cyberbullying sends out a clarion call to parents around the world.

After suffering a shocking litany of online abuse, including psychological torture and blackmail, leading to a descent into alcohol and drugs, Amanda Todd ended her young life last week. Such was her despair that she drank bleach in a botched suicide attempt.

Her heartrending story has particular resonance in Ireland because, as a recent Irish Examiner series showed, bullying in the ‘social media’ is increasing here at an alarming rate, with young girls particularly vulnerable. Thus parents must be constantly on the lookout for telltale signs that could save their child’s life.

Amanda’s case is not confined to any one country. It underlines the urgent need for inter-governmental action to combat the global tsunami of cyberbullying.