GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL – The words were disturbing.
A central Newfoundland woman was shocked by a message her pre-teen daughter received earlier this week via social media.
The message in part read: “Everyone hates you so much. You just need that little push to suicide… It’s the easiest way out… You’re really ugly inside and out… Do everyone a favour and end it hun.”
These words were contained in a screenshot of a message that had been originally sent to a girl with the same first name as her daughter.
Someone decided to send it to her daughter.
The woman declined to offer detailed comment because she was unsure whether the message was intended to have malicious intent.
The RCMP in Grand Falls-Windsor were notified of the post. When contacted by the Advertiser, Sergeant Rod Gallop said they could not offer further content because the investigation is ongoing.
However, Gallop did have some advice for parents to ensure their children are safe and acting appropriately online.
He suggests parents monitor the social media sites their children are accessing and what they’re doing on those sites.
“Parents need to make sure that they’re monitoring access that their kids have on social media,” he said. “Most of these social media sites have age restrictions and (younger kids) typically, by the policies of these social media sites, aren’t supposed to be even on them.”
A single message that is inappropriate or rude may not constitute criminal harassment, said Gallop.
However, the police officer stressed, “It’s not appropriate. It’s hurtful and could be very harmful.”
