14-year-old girl commits suicide over Myspace drama

[Dodge_Sniper]

I know I'm going to catch some major flak for my opinion on this matter, but I don't really care. This can no longer be ignored.

ARDENNE PRAIRIE, Missouri (AP) -- Megan Meier thought she had made a new friend in cyberspace when a cute teenage boy named Josh contacted her on MySpace and began exchanging messages with her.


Teen's parents say she thought she had made a friend through the social networking web site MySpace.

Megan, a 13-year-old who suffered from depression and attention deficit disorder, corresponded with Josh for more than a month before he abruptly ended their friendship, telling her he had heard she was cruel.

The next day Megan committed suicide. Her family learned later that Josh never actually existed; he was created by members of a neighborhood family that included a former friend of Megan's.

Now Megan's parents hope the people who made the fraudulent profile on the social networking web site will be prosecuted, and they are seeking legal changes to safeguard children on the Internet.

The girl's mother, Tina Meier, said she doesn't think anyone involved intended for her daughter to kill herself.

"But when adults are involved and continue to screw with a 13-year-old, with or without mental problems, it is absolutely vile," she told the Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis, which first reported on the case.

Tina Meier said law enforcement officials told her the case did not fit into any law. But sheriff's officials have not closed the case and pledged to consider new evidence if it emerges.

Megan Meier hanged herself in her bedroom on October 16, 2006, and died the next day. She was described as a "bubbly, goofy" girl who loved spending time with her friends, watching movies and fishing with her dad.

Megan had been on medication, but had been upbeat before her death, her mother said, after striking up a relationship on MySpace with Josh Evans about six weeks before her death.

Josh told her he was born in Florida and had recently moved to the nearby community of O'Fallon. He said he was homeschooled, and didn't yet have a phone number in the area to give her. Watch Megan's parents say she swooned when she received an affectionate note from 'Josh' »

Megan's parents said she received a message from him on October 15 of last year, essentially saying he didn't want to be her friend anymore, that he had heard she wasn't nice to her friends.

The next day, as Megan's mother headed out the door to take another daughter to the orthodontist, she knew Megan was upset about Internet messages. She asked Megan to log off. Users on MySpace must be at least 14, though Megan was not when she opened her account. A MySpace spokeswoman did not return calls seeking comment.

Someone using Josh's account was sending cruel messages. Then, Megan called her mother, saying electronic bulletins were being posted about her, saying things like, "Megan Meier is a slut. Megan Meier is fat."

Megan's mother, who monitored her daughter's online communications, returned home and said she was shocked at the vulgar language her own daughter was sending. She told her daughter how upset she was about it.

Megan ran upstairs, and her father, Ron, tried to tell her everything would be fine. About 20 minutes later, she was found in her bedroom. She died the next day.

Her father said he found a message the next day from Josh, which he said law enforcement authorities have not been able to retrieve. It told the girl she was a bad person and the world would be better without her, he has said.

Another parent, who learned of the MySpace account from her own daughter who had access to the Josh profile, told Megan's parents about the hoax in a counselor's office about six weeks after Megan died. That's when they learned Josh was imaginary, they said.

The woman who created the fake profile has not been charged with a crime. She allegedly told the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department she created Josh's profile because she wanted to gain Megan's confidence to know what Megan was saying about her own child online.

The mother from down the street told police that she, her daughter and another person all typed and monitored the communication between the fictitious boy and Megan.

A person who answered the door at the family's house told an Associated Press reporter on Friday afternoon that they had been advised not to comment.

Megan's parents had been storing a foosball table for the family that created the MySpace character. Six weeks after Megan's death, they learned the other family had created the profile and responded by destroying the foosball table, dumping it on the neighbors' driveway and encouraging them to move away.

Megan's parents are now separated and plan to divorce.


Aldermen in Dardenne Prairie, a community of about 7,000 residents about 35 miles from St. Louis, have proposed a new ordinance related to child endangerment and Internet harassment. It could come before city leaders on Wednesday.

"Is this enough?" Mayor Pam Fogarty said Friday. "No, not by any stretch of the imagination, but it's something, and you have to start somewhere."


Parents say fake online 'friend' led to girl's suicide - CNN.com

The girl sounds like some depressed emo kid. And for the records, I have ADHD/ADD, and I'm by no means depressed. ADD is not even related to depression. ADD causes you to not be able to focus in school.

As for killing herself, I have no respect or sorrow for the kid. Suicide is a lame-ass attempt to escape the pressures of life. She took the pansy way out of her problems. My brother is $2000 in debt, but he isn't going to kill himself. If we have to deal with life's issues, she should too.

Lastly, the legal matter. The parents can't do shit. It says in the article, even the cops said it, the guy broke NO laws. It was a joke that some 14 year old girl took too seriously. And she let it get to her. He said he heard she was cruel, and rather than talking to him about it, she whined, and killed herself.

She was in the wrong as well. She created a Myspace profile under the age allowed. No, we can't prove everybody that says they're older is really of required age, but that rule is there to keep Tom out of trouble. It was her fault. Had she followed Myspace guidelines and not joined underage, she wouldn't have developed a relationship with the guy, and in turn, killed herself.

The kid let dramatic bullshit get under her skin. I've had plenty of people say "You're a faggot, I hate you, go die, you're better off dead". But do I listen to them? No. If I did, I wouldn't be sending you this message.

There are no laws stating you can't prank people. The prank was well within the limits of the law. The girl killed herself because of comments made by some douche. If she was smart, she'd have talked it out to a parent, and blocked the loser.

The short version: This girl was a baby. She let stupid shit get to her, and in fact, SHE was doing something she shouldn't have been. ALL of this could have been prevented in one of two ways:

1. She had followed Myspace guidelines and stayed off of the website.

2. Her irresponsible parents watched what was going on. What parent would let an underage child, BEFORE the age of 14, have a Myspace? Hell, I'm fucking 16, and my mom didn't want me to have a Myspace about 6 months ago, after seeing so many news reports. I had to BEG her and tell her that I'm old enough not only legally, but maturity-wise.

 

[livvy7678]

Thats all a little harsh I think

 

[NicAuf]

*Grabs a soda, sits back, waits for all hell to break loose*

 

[Dodge_Sniper]

Thats all a little harsh I think

Harsh? Maybe. But that's what I think. The girl was a pansy. As I said, rather than talking to her mom, something like, "Mom, this guy said I'm fat and ugly, and it really bothered me", she opted to kill herself. I have NO respect for people that even attempt suicide, because it shows weakness, and shows that you are too scared to go through with life. If we all have to deal with the pressures and problems that life throws at us, why the hell is she different? She killed herself over a BOY. I had a relationship with a girl I really liked last year, and it didn't work out. Should I have killed myself? I mean, according to this girl's logic, relationships are worth killing yourself over if they don't work out. The girl could have avoided all this drama she got herself into by just following the rules of Myspace. She brought it all on herself.

*Grabs a soda, sits back, waits for all hell to break loose*

Eh, I know it'll happen. But I have to give my two cents on the article.

Should be good to see what people think on this one though opcorn2:<----Replace the popcorn with Cheez-Its.

 

[livvy7678]

But you have to remember not everyone is like you. There are people out there who like to hide things. Like they have trouble telling someone whats wrong. She was obviously one of those people. Some people are very emotional and when people say that stuff about you it hurts. Especially if you have a crush on this "guy". Anyway that person who made up that guy was also in the wrong. If that person hadn't made up that account and pretended to be someone they weren't all of this wouldn't have happened.

 

[Dodge_Sniper]

But you have to remember not everyone is like you. There are people out there who like to hide things. Like they have trouble telling someone whats wrong. She was obviously one of those people. Some people are very emotional and when people say that stuff about you it hurts. Especially if you have a crush on this "guy". Anyway that person who made up that guy was also in the wrong. If that person hadn't made up that account and pretended to be someone they weren't all of this wouldn't have happened.

No, the guy was not in the wrong as much as her. She made an account AGAINST the rules of Myspace. If she had followed said rules, she'd have never met the fake guy, and in turn, never killed herself over him. It's a chain reaction. She broke the rules. There is no law that states it's illegal to make a fake profile on Myspace. Without that law, there is no legal action that can be implemented against the people involved. Yes, it was morally wrong for the people to do this simply as a joke, but it's not illegal. I've done it before. I made a profile for an actor, and people thought I was the actor. It's a very common thing, and this girl just took it too hard. She could have shrugged it off as a loss, and not killed herself over a stupid "boy". Like I said, me and a friend ended a close relationship, but I never killed myself over her. This all could have been avoided, but she has irresponsible parents. At that age, her parents should have been somehow monitoring her computer activity. Now, the parents say in the article that they WERE monitoring the girl's computer activity, and even read a few of her messages. If that's the case, the parents should have looked at the guidelines and age restrictions for Myspace, and made her remove the profile. Like I said, I'm 2 years above the age limit, and it took 6 months to convince my mom to let me have a Myspace. This is a case of bad parenting at it's best.

 

[Sneakiecat]

The girl sounds like some depressed emo kid. And for the records, I have ADHD/ADD, and I'm by no means depressed. ADD is not even related to depression. ADD causes you to not be able to focus in school.

She was depressed AND had ADD, not depressed BECAUSE of ADD. That's a huge difference.

 

[jds]

You're right. She shouldn't of taken it so seriously... and, by killing herself over something on MySpace, shows that she wasn't really even mature enough to have one... There is so much wrong with that theres no where to even start? I don't see how "Josh's" parents can be charged or any of the people involved in that considering what all the girl did wrong, too. My friends have made fake accounts just to talk to their boyfriends... I mean sure there is a law against that if you use someone elses photos without their permission but overall, the girl wasnt mature enough by any means to have a MySpace in the first place.
My mom doesnt even know I have a Myspace but I dont take anything seriously anyone does.. if they talk shit, let them. It's going to happen. You dont kill yourself over it.

However, I still think there was probably a lot more wrong with the girl than just MySpace addiction. But I wish people would stop using depression for everything, when nobody is really "depressed" at 13... what do you even have to be depressed over?

Either way you look at it though, she was still THIRTEEN. Which is why she took it so seriously... but the other people shouldn't be blamed because they had no way of knowing she would react this way.

 

[Charmer]

You know, Dodge, I see where you're coming from and it's not out of line. It's not harsh at all. There's basically two main opinions to this story: The people who did it are bad or the girl should have had a stronger spine.

I think it's both. Yes, it's easy to tell someone to not be so sensitive; it's another thing for them to actually carry through and be strong.

But the parents DO have to take some responsibility, also.

 

[Dodge_Sniper]

She was depressed AND had ADD, not depressed BECAUSE of ADD. That's a huge difference.

That's exactly my point though. How can she bee depressed AND have ADD?

Symptoms of ADD include:

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Those don't seem like a depressed person to me. Also, read the bold print. A 14-year-old girl with ADD would not want to spend the time and do the effort it takes to be involved in a serious relationship with a boy.

 

[jds]

That's exactly my point though. How can she bee depressed AND have ADD?

Symptoms of ADD include:

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Those don't seem like a depressed person to me. Also, read the bold print. A 14-year-old girl with ADD would not want to spend the time and do the effort it takes to be involved in a serious relationship with a boy.

How can you be depressed at thirteen?

 

[Dodge_Sniper]

How can you be depressed at thirteen?

That's another thing I was wondering. Sure, you'll have stress at that age, but depression? What the hell do you have to be depressed about at the age of 14?

"Mommy! Tommy stole my glue stick and then broke my barbie! I just wanna die "

Probably some wannabe emo poser girl who took an ONLINE relationship too far and got hurt. Then decided life was less important than the boy that didn't even exist.

 

[livvy7678]

How can you be depressed at thirteen?

I'm 14 and earlier on in the year I was on depression pills. So easily.

 

[dt3]

An adult made the fake profile and knowingly screwed with a mentally ill girl. Even if they can't charge them with anything, that's gonna be one hell of a wrongful death lawsuit.

And Dodge, wtf is your problem? You compare yourself to this girl like you're in the same situation or something. Obviously, you're not. You can't know what she was going through, calm down.

 

[livvy7678]

An adult made the fake profile and knowingly screwed with a mentally ill girl. Even if they can't charge them with anything, that's gonna be one hell of a wrongful death lawsuit.

And Dodge, wtf is your problem? You compare yourself to this girl like you're in the same situation or something. Obviously, you're not. You can't know what she was going through, calm down.

THANK YOU! Thats what I was trying to say

 

[jds]

I'm 14 and earlier on in the year I was on depression pills. So easily.

Nobody at that age is really depressed... I hate to say it like that, but... I mean I understand having stress and stuff like that, because yeah, its hard to be 13, but depression? No.
There's nothing to actually be depressed about unless some majorly tragic event happened, and in this case, it doesnt really seem like anything "bad" was happening to her except somebody was pushing her buttons over the Internet... so basically she was just stupid. I wish people would stop using depression for everything when they're freakin teenagers.

 

[Sneakiecat]

That's exactly my point though. How can she bee depressed AND have ADD?

Symptoms of ADD include:

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Those don't seem like a depressed person to me. Also, read the bold print. A 14-year-old girl with ADD would not want to spend the time and do the effort it takes to be involved in a serious relationship with a boy.

According to DSM-IV, you need six of the nine symptoms to have ADD (which isn't the term they use anymore but it works). So she might not have had that particular symptom. You can have some pretty strange combinations when it comes to psychology. My brother was diagnoised as both depressed and bipolar, two things you wouldn't typically put together.

 

[dt3]

That's exactly my point though. How can she bee depressed AND have ADD?

Symptoms of ADD include:

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Those don't seem like a depressed person to me. Also, read the bold print. A 14-year-old girl with ADD would not want to spend the time and do the effort it takes to be involved in a serious relationship with a boy.

If a doctor diagnosed her with those, I'm gonna give the benefit of a doubt and say she had it. Just because you can look up symptoms on the internet doesn't give you the knowledge to know what was going on with this girl.

 

[Charmer]

To me, ADD and ADHD are made-up "diseases."

When I was younger, we called it being a normal kid.

 

[Sneakiecat]

Nobody at that age is really depressed... I hate to say it like that, but... I mean I understand having stress and stuff like that, because yeah, its hard to be 13, but depression? No.
There's nothing to actually be depressed about unless some majorly tragic event happened, and in this case, it doesnt really seem like anything "bad" was happening to her except somebody was pushing her buttons over the Internet... so basically she was just stupid. I wish people would stop using depression for everything when they're freakin teenagers.

There are a lot of causes to depression and children and teens can have it just as easily as an adult.