Editorial: Latest child suicide lends urgency to social media ban
The latest Queensland schoolchild driven to suicide by relentless cyber-bullying is an all-too-familiar story, writes the editor.
Opinion
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Many times over the past few days – in this very column – we have spoken about the expectation of better times ahead for the new year.
In many ways it is part of our national character to be optimistic. But occasionally news breaks that is as heartbreaking for our journalists to report on as it is to read. It instantly shatters that optimism and fills us with a sense of dread.
Today in the newspaper and yesterday online we tell the tragic story of 12-year-old Adiel Boyd, a beautiful girl with a life of boundless potential in front of her, driven to suicide by the modern scourge of cyber bullying.
The youngest of four and a student at Aitkenvale State School in Townsville, Adiel was “close to perfection”, her mother Victoria Boyd said, excelling at school, playing multiple musical instruments and speaking three languages.
“She was very bright, very intelligent, and she was very loving. She loved everyone. Adiel was such a bright girl and everyone that she knew in her life had a big impact on both parties, on Adiel and the person she interacted with,” Ms Boyd said.
“It’s very shocking, none of us can believe this has happened. Not Adiel.”
Sadly, this is an all-too-familiar story.
Brisbane Lourdes Hill student Ella Catley-Crawford died in November after she became the victim of an online catfishing scheme orchestrated by other girls who shared her photos across social media.
In October, Bundaberg Shalom Catholic College student Isla Marschke, 14, took her own life after years of online torment.
Late last year, on the back of The Courier-Mail’s Let Them Be Kids campaign, the Albanese government confirmed it would ban children under 16 from social media. However it may be another year before the laws are enacted.
As well as rare bipartisan support, the new laws were backed by 72 per cent of adults, according to a DemoAu poll.
Our campaign was backed up by some truly shocking statistics – data from the Queensland Family and Child Commission showed 11 kids – aged 10 to 14 – died from suicide in the 2022-23 financial year compared with five in 2021-22 and six in both 2020-21 and 2019-20.
Eating disorders are also on the rise, with experts pointing to cyber bullying as a key factor.
To stand by and do nothing when there is a definitive link between social media access and terrible outcomes would have been unconscionable, but that doesn’t mean the new laws will be perfect.
Many children, as they do now, will try to find ways to get around the laws. The onus will be put on the social media giants to stop this happening.
At the very least it will send a message to our kids that social media can be a dangerous place that they are not emotionally ready for. Unfortunately Adiel’s mum knows that fact only too well.
“Children are lost in social media, it’s the most dangerous tool for a parent because there is a closed space there that I really, really try hard to get into but it’s a closed space, social media,” Ms Boyd said.
“That is where it was all occurring, in the school grounds, on social media. She was being bullied by her friends. She was just too beautiful and she just couldn’t comprehend.”
AN UNFORGETTABLE SERIES
Over the nearly 150-year history of Test cricket, one contest has always reigned supreme.
Australia v England. The Ashes.
The showdown for the little urn somehow seemed more important. As much a moment in history as a sporting contest.
But things, as they like to do, are changing.
This summer two great nations have been transfixed by a sporting contest that will come to a head over the next five days or so in Sydney.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has now taken on a status once reserved for The Ashes. To lose could be a career killer, as Indian skipper Rohit Sharma may be about to find out.
Australia leads the five-Test series 2-1 going into the decider, but an India win in Sydney would see it retain the trophy. Record crowds have watched the action around the nation, culminating in the 373,691 people who watched the five days in Melbourne.
To put that figure into perspective, it beat the Test attendance record that has stood since 350,000 saw Don Bradman in his pomp at the height of the Great Depression.
India’s new-found prosperity has seen tens of thousands make the trip down under, only adding to the atmosphere.
The Aussies have done all the hard work, standing up to Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah to find a way to win. Now they just need to finish the job.
C’mon Aussies!
Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here
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