Web Is Not A Babysitter

It's always sad when someone passes away, even more sad when someone commits suicide.  And the recent suicide of the boy who webcast his suicide is extremely sad and concerning.  I'm the first person to say that suicides belong in two classes, the ones who do so out of necessity and the ones who do so for attention  and assistance, but it's hard to see where this boy's death fits.

What I AM sure of, though, is that blaming the Internet is just wrong.  Sorry Mr Biggs Sr - but the people who attempt suicide for attention, that is usually due to not enough attention being paid to them.  And you even say you weren't aware of his "Internet presence" so one can see pretty clearly where the attention shortfall was.  Please don't balme "website operators" - they don't watch the videos, they just run the servers.  Don't blame the people on the other end - they are online for entertainment and socialising, not as counsellors of troubled teens who are lacking the attention of their family.

So please - I know it's easy to strike out and blame the first thing that springs to mind.  But instead, you need to evaluate your own position first, and only when you're really really sure, should you look anywhere but your own backyard.

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