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August 30, 2008 11:45:14 CDT

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Anger Brews Over Cyber Suicide

Posted Nov 17, 07 4:00 PM CST in Technology,  US 

(Newser) – Police fear a "mob mentality" is brewing in a St. Louis suburb after a 13-year-old girl killed herself, and the hoaxers who allegedly prodded her have gone free. Two adults—parents of the girl's friend—badgered Megan Meier online until she hanged herself in her closet last October. Cops say they've been getting angry calls since the story broke last week, but insist that no law can corral the cyber-bullies.

They're protected by a technicality, says one expert, who blames federal law for covering harassing IMs, but not postings. "That's a hole that needs to be closed," she added. Meanwhile, the blogosphere is burning up and Megan's mother, Tina Meier, is pleading for justice. "I can go steal a piece of gum at a convenience store and go to jail, but you don't go to jail for doing this? That's horrendous," she said.

Source Chicago Tribune

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A woman reads an online message in this undated photo.   (Getty Images)
News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who owns the social networking Web site MySpace, speaks at the company's Global Energy Initiative in this May 9, 2007, file photo. The parents of Megan Meier, a Missouri...   (Associated Press)
The MySpace logo is seen in this undated photo.   (KRT Photos)
Computers enable the crime of cyber-bullying, a rising cause of concern for law enforcement.
KRT US NEWS STORY SLUGGED: WKEND-CENSOR KRT PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVE WILLIAMS/WICHITA EAGLE   (KRT Photos)
  (KRT Photos)
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MySpace  • suicide  • Missouri  • St. Louis  • cyberbullying  • Internet hoax


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