Editorial: An extreme case of Internet 'Mean Girls'

Florida case reflects need to talk to kids about cyber-bullying.

Last update: April 11, 2008 - 6:08 PM

It's hard to watch the vicious beating of 16-year-old Victoria Lindsay without cringing. As the now widely broadcast video of the incident shows, last month the Lakeland, Fla., teenager was lured to a house where her head was slammed against a wall until she blacked out. When she woke up, she was repeatedly beaten by several teenaged girls who were supposed to be her friends.

It's even harder to fathom how eight 14- to 18-year-olds could do such a thing without cringing themselves -- and with the intent of posting videotape of the assault on the Internet.

The horrible attack illustrates why parents and other adults must talk with kids and pay close attention to their peer relationships. And it demonstrates that popular teen social networking websites should be better monitored to prevent the transmission, and glorification, of violent acts.

As the teens were beating Victoria, they demonstrated no connection with the consequences. Reportedly, they were mad at Victoria for something she allegedly posted about them on the Internet. To teach her a lesson, they attacked her, then bragged about their actions, fully intending to share video of the assault.

The local sheriff said the teens showed almost no remorse and barely recognized that they had done anything wrong. While in custody, one reportedly asked, "Does this mean I can't go to cheerleading practice?"

Sadly, this was not an isolated incident. According to national reports, camera-wielding attackers, increasingly teen girls, are harassing or beating victims for the attention it brings them on sites such as MySpace and YouTube.

To work against it, adults can use this incident as a teachable moment, a time to discuss basics of right, wrong, compassion and nonviolent ways to respond to conflict. Legal guidelines can help, too. Minnesota law requires school boards to adopt a written policy prohibiting intimidation and bullying -- including electronic forms and the Internet.

As a result of the beating, Victoria has a concussion and damage to her left ear and eye. She plans to be home-schooled rather than return to high school. And her attackers have been charged and could be tried as adults.

Those are life-changing consequences for what should have been just a minor argument between teenage girls.

CORRECTION

A Friday editorial incorrectly described the origins of the Choice Is Yours program. It was created in response to a lawsuit filed against the state of Minnesota.

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