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04 Dec 2007
The parents of teenager Megan Meier have expressed anger at the news that the adult whom they claim bullied their daughter into suicide will not be prosecuted.
Meier, who was 13, struck up an online relationship with a 'teenager' known as 'Josh' via MySpace, but 'Josh' was in fact the mother of a former friend of Meier's.
'Josh' broke off the online relationship after six weeks and began abusing Meier and posting unpleasant messages. Meier, who suffered from depression, hanged herself the next day.
Her parents went public with the case after local law enforcers told them that there was nothing they could do.
Meier's home town of Dardenne Prairie has since passed a law making online harassment a misdemeanour with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
"Our daughter committed suicide," Meier's mother said. "I still feel what [the adult] did is absolutely criminal."
Jack Banas, prosecuting attorney for St. Charles County, said that there was nothing he could do.
He explained that there was no way of making a positive identification of who had sent the messages, and that the majority of the content was inoffensive.
"People are upset that a parent got involved in something so childish, and that a young girl committed suicide," he said.
"There are a few statements at the end that are a heated argument. That is why you have a hard time making a harassment case."
Banas added that current statutes allow action only when an individual sought to frighten, disturb or harass.
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Do you agree?
Why
Why would the parent just single out Megan in this case what did megan do to piss off this mother and what did she say that was so bad that megan killed herself? In this teenage world its hard not to get wrapped up in boy friends or things like that? Its rediculus that the mother di such a childish thing..AI also think that the mother should be blamed for this not megan or myspace.
Posted by: Cassie 10 Jan 2008
Children are naive.
the words you use have power. adults have the ability to persuade children with their words. this fact must have responsibility attached to it. the complete wastes of dna who helped steer this girl towards self destruction should be held culpable. didnt hillary say it takes a village? personally i think she can get stuffed, but it there is no denying the influence adults have on children. this can be positive, or it can be negative, but it will be one or the other. this is the most despicable story i've heard so far. just when i think a new level of disgust couldn't be achieved....
Posted by: Jeffery Wright 10 Dec 2007
We don't need new laws
Kids commit suicide all the time. Adults commit suicide all the time. That doesn't mean we should criminalize everyone in their lives that did something mean to them. At the end of the day, it's the parents' responsibility to take care of their children and help them through that traumatic time we all went through called "puberty". Megan's parents failed her, and all the blamestorming in the world will not deflect that responsibility. That's all not to mention the fact that we already HAVE laws to deal with cases involving truly criminal behaviour. The Internet is just another communications medium. It doesn't matter if it's the mail, phone calls, notes left in lockers, or posts on MySpace. It's ALREADY COVERED. If there wasn't enough to prosecute, that means it wasn't their fault. Megan was a troubled kid who didn't make it. Learn from it, talk to your kids, and make sure they talk to you. (Yes, I'm a parent with a young daughter.)
Posted by: J 10 Dec 2007
Megan Meier
While the Megan Meier case seems outrageous and unique, it isn't unique. Hundreds of cases of egregious and heinous acts go on every day with the same excuses out of our lawmakers. One such other case....The case of Nikki Catsouras, is a classic example of disgusting, hateful activity against innocent victims, while our lawmakers excuse themselves from enacting laws to prevent this. The excuse lawmakers use to let themselves off the hook stem from the growth of the Internet and how fast it's changing. This is a sham. Chat rooms, message boards, instant messengers and email have been in existence for far over a decade now. While the software used to transmit messages changes slightly, the basic essence of using the Internet to send a message is largely the same. Is a decade or two long enough to establish some basic decency laws in regards to Internet usage? I've posted the Nikki Catsouras story along with many details about the Megan Meier case so the inactivity out of our lawmakers towards these types of cases can be clearly seen. Those who are interested in learning about cases like Megan's and Nikki's case are encouraged to drop by and comment on them if you like. I have a couple of polls set up as well. Danny Vice would like to hear your point of view. Public awareness of the problem and discussions about possible solutions are the best way to pressure elected officials into action instead of excuse making. I invite you to come by and share your opinion. Danny Vice http://weeklyvice.blogspot.com
Posted by: Danny Vice 10 Dec 2007
Know the Truth before you spread Lies
b/c of people like u, yes like u, triggers people like megan and greatly helped her depression. i was there when they teased her and U NEED 2 STOP. especially if u don't know the real story. i was bffs w/megan and she introduced me to my now bff, lori's daughter
Posted by: T 07 Dec 2007
The internet needs laws
Megan Meier was a target and there has to be some accountability for her tragic death. There has to be something done so this does not continue. I dont think the authorities want to touch the case. How about some powerful and smart lawfirm taking on the case and helping Megans family at least bringing a civil suit for wrongful death. this at least would be a start to decrease cyber violence! David
Posted by: David Britton 05 Dec 2007
Cyber bullies
Its so sad that such a beautiful life was so affected by what ever "those people" had sent to her on My Space. Its bad enough when kids do it to each other. Its inconceivable that an adult would resort to such tactics. Even if it was that woman's employee who sent the final message, they were only completimg what the adult had started. My heart goes out to Megan's family. I hope they take solice in their faith and don't give in to the tmptation of copying that woman's action by becoming cyber bullies themselves.
Posted by: Vicki 04 Dec 2007
This is wrong.
That adult should have been prosecuted. Megan's family lost their child, who apparently had depression issues, because of a childish adult. I've been cyber bullied, just like Megan. And in a way, my four year old sister has too. My EX-friend put pictures of my little sister on her page, almost as if it was a slap in my face. What if some sexual predator says, "Hey you have a very cute sister" the hateful girl could easily say "oh thats not my sister, BUT HERES WHERE SHE LIVES." and automatically, my family is in DANGER. Not to mention, I've received DEATH THREATS from not only the girl, but her friend as well. How do you think that made me feel? My emotions are so stable either, I'm not gonna kill myself or anything. But STILL, it's frustrating, and it HURTS. And has anyone even BOTHERED to look at that woman's IP address? To the parent who posed as a "Josh": What if your child took her life like Megan did? What if this went the other way around? How would you feel? Just take that in to consideration. This cyber bullying needs to STOP. There needs to be more rules, and maybe even more supervision to this. Personally, I think why bother trying to protect your privacy, people can hack. Theres so many people in this world who could probably get into your privacy no matter what the heck you do! There needs to be rules, no matter what the privacy issue is. I think SAFETY is over PRIVACY personally.
Posted by: Cate 04 Dec 2007