Cyber bullying is the flipside of cyber celebrity. There is no excuse for arbitrary cruelty to others. There are also risks associated with gaining attention through a medium where many are anonymous and virtually everything is permitted. A virtual mob is the sociopath's natural camouflage and the worst place to go to get help or memorialize a loved one.

Agree with both posters. The lack of civility (perhaps better stated as the pervasiveness of barbarity) in our society today is truly shocking and dismaying. But I have a question - what does it say about our society that so many are not taught to stand up to bullies? I think I know...we are a nation of injured people due to the breakup of the nuclear family, abuse, etc., and then bullies perceive that and move in for the kill (so to speak). The solution to such - on both ends - is not to be found without God and a lot of hard work.

Here are the facts about bullying.

About 10% of kids are total, uncaring, sociopathic scum. They barely function, most will be jailed, killed, or die of drugs early in life. Good.

About another 20% of kids get off on the bullying, find bullying guys attractive (the bad boy image) and happily go along for the ride, as long as they don't get hurt.

About 60% of the kids will stand by and watch and do nothing. They are curious what will happen, but don't want to get involved. They are glad that it is happening to someone else but not them. They do find the whole thing exciting on some level.

The other 10% are actually good hearted souls who reject all types of bullying, and would try to help by at least getting a teacher or sticking up for the student.

Unfortunately, these percentages pretty much stay intact until adult hood.

I was the only person, the ONLY person that called 9/11 and helped a child who had fallen off his bike and bashed his head on my curb and was already showing signs of brain damage. Everyone else stood around and gawked and chit chatted. They probably thought the blood coming out of the boy's mouth was cool. I was the ONLY one that told the paramedics what happened, and the ONLY one to help the boy's brother who was pretty much in shock.

Sorry, but the reality is that most people stink one degree or another.

...and in the last days, people will be lovers of self.

I hear stories of compassion less frequently these days. When I do, I breathe a sigh of relief...until I realize how rare it is.
I want to understand how the human heart can be so hard at such a young age. All those young people wishing her death; mobbing and pecking like animals...and not a single voice or hand reaching out to help her.
Are they a product of public school? Social media? Entertainment? Obama?

I fear for young people. They are invisible, but they are not anonymous. What a frightening life to live.
RIP poor girl. Pray the Lord's arms surround you now.

This, unfortunately, is a by-product of internet anonymity. While many of us appreciate the ability to post what we think without personal retribution, uncivil posts come with the territory. A parallel is the way some people drive under the illusion of anonymity. It's not necessarily good or bad, it just is. We would all be more careful in both circumstances if our real names were displayed on our tag lines or on our license plates.

I have to agree with #5. The internet is a curse as well as a blessing. There are a lot of really nasty people out there who love the fact they can remain totally anonymous and say whatever is on their ''minds.''

#5, sounds like you have not been to high school lately. Many Facebook profiles ARE real names and pictures, with absolutely no shame or attempt to be anonymous. My son, before he got on independent study, told me that saying "f-you" to a teachers face was common. Saturday detention is so common at his school that there are several rooms filled each Saturday.

Many kids today could care less, have no shame. 7 girls in his senior class are pregnant, and they all have Facebook profiles showing off their bellies and their babies.