Has anyone any thoughts on this ?

[Workingman]

I am sorry to disagree with a lot of what is being said.

It is possible to be bullied, or to choose not to be bullied. You can either stand and fight, if you are that way out, or you can blank it out and ignore it.

Nobody forces anybody to turn on a device and read what is being said. It is possible to delete anythying before reading. It is possible to not send out your every detail to the whole world. It is possible to only have conversations with those who are your friends.

Just because the technology exists for you to be connected to everyone on the planet, all the time, does not mean that you have to use it.

The big problem is that our teenagers are not told that...... If they cannot handle not being Universally loved, they should go out and get a real life.

Our job should be to help them do that, not give them a big hug and say "There, there, we'll get you a new SIM card tomorrow."

[Diflower]

Not everyone has parents who will teach them that WM - and not all children would tell their parents they were being bullied, so not exposed to the advice, even if their particular parents would handle it like that.
It's great to have an adult's perspective, but at 13 or 14? On your own, would you have worked all that out?

[Workingman]

Parents?

They hardly have any influence any more. Most of the tosh comes from schools, peers, and the media. Between them they have more influence than parents ever have.

We allowed that to happen. We are guilty as sin.

[Kaz]

Some are vulnerable though Frank, not all are tough enough to have that sensible adult perspective!

[Diflower]

Kaz you have The Times, don't you?
Haven't read it yet but there's a big article in the Weekend section on teenage girls and self-esteem, looks really interesting.

[Workingman]

The naturally vulnerable have always been with us and always will be. However, many of today's "vulnerables" are manufactured, pristine, straight off the production line - clones.

Pick up any teen mag or watch any teen show and the pressure to look good, feel good, be good, have a good life, a good job and live in a nice house in a nice area, is relentless. Anybody who doesn't stack up in the "goodness" stakes can easily get there by simply following this week's five hottest tips whilst buying these goods and wearing these clothes. But be warned, if you are not good and loved by all it is your fault. You are not putting enough effort in, not dreaming hard enough, not following the programme........... Next week our experts introduce you to seven secret tips for following the programme. Don't miss out, order your copy of our "Do not fail" special: NOW!

Young people are not vulnerable, in the true sense, they are the prey of the media and big businesses who do not give a damn about any psychological damage they may cause them so long as there is money to be made.

[Kaz]

I'll take a look at that Di xx

[moondancer]

What is so worrying is that these young people don't seem to have anyone to turn to to try and sort out the problems.

I know many of them can't, or won't, talk to their parents or teachers, but to actually jump in front of a train as one girl did recently is totally baffling to me.

I agree with WM to some extent...if these websites distress them so much, then why do they keep going back for more ?

I can't get my head round this at all.

[Workingman]

They do not really have anyone to turn to - Catch 22. Their parents were brought up on a similar, though maybe not so intense, diet. If they turn to their peers (they used to be called "friends") their heads are full of the same nonsense. What do they do? They look for help from the same websites, mags, TV shows and social networks that gave them the problems in the first place. It is a vicious circle.

I am all for closing down the websites, but at the same time we should look very closely at what the print and broadcasting mediums are filling our childrens' heads with.