Cyberbullying victim's family reaches out
The parents of a teenager bullied into taking her own life are now acting to help other families.
Fourteen-year-old Brianna De Vries ended her life after being tormented on social media.
The New South Wales Education Department insists Brianna's school did what it could to support her but the De Vries family is now taking legal action against the Education Department.
In 2010, Brad and Liz took their children to Queensland for a new beginning that wouldn’t last.
Despite leaving Woolgoolga High near Coffs Harbour, the online abuse followed Brianna.
But Brianna’s parents, Brad and Liz, hope to provide a safe haven through "Stand for the Silent", which offers online help for kids and parents.
Liz Baguley says that if your children have to have an online presence then parents have to be a part of it.
The family still allow their kids online, but only because they're able to check their pages.
Headspace's Chris Tanti says Facebook should be for kids who are 16 and older, but once they are online the key is to keep talking about it.
Tanti says to watch for warning signs like children becoming withdrawn, depressed, anxious.
“You can't stick your head in the sand over this issue in a lot of ways I think the person who's being cyberbullied is in a state of shock,” he says.
Brad and Liz say it's just as important for parents to know if it's their child that's being the bully.
They need to sit there and say this is wrong, that your behaviour is wrong.
If you or someone you know is being bullied online the following organisations can help:
