Tech | January 23, 2008 | 10 comments

Seven dead in Bebo 'suicide cult'

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mattbrawn
Social networking site Bebo is rumoured to be linked to a spout of suicides in the small Welsh town of Bridgend. So far seven deaths have been reported to police, who are now investigating the relationships of the victims and the social networking site.

Police fears are growing after many of the victims may have used Bebo to not only become involved in the supposed 'suicide cult,' but also used the site as a means of 'gaining prestige among their friends.'

Following the spate of suicides, friends of the victims have posted 'memorial websites' in remembrance, but these have also come under fire from the authorities after two friends of the most recent victim, 15 year-old Natasha Randall, also attempted to join Bridgend's most worrying trend by committing suicide within 24 hours of her death. Reports say one remains on life support with another still recovering after slashing her wrists.

Can this be put down to the users themselves or should supposed 'social networks' take an active role in eliminating such content on their sites?

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10 comments // Seven dead in Bebo 'suicide cult'

  • hotdogwheel
  • 6ryder6
    • 0
      6ryder6  
    • sorry yh nt sposed to offend bt i use bebo n dnt wana kill myself da dumb fuks did it demselves cnt blame a fkin site u twats

    • 4 years ago
  • Day2Day1nSociety
    • 0
      Day2Day1nSociety  
    • In A world intuned to perfection and looks and how much money you make,it's hard for lot's of people to try to make it within those Stupid fucked up standards,MORRISEY OF THE BAND The SMITH'S Said''LOVE IS NATURAL,LOVE IS REAL IT TAKE WIT AND STRENGTH TO BE GENTLE AND KIND",People Please start being kinder to people and stop worshiping bullshit standard's,HELP those who are in need,NO MATTER if it's finacially or Mentally(Emotionally)..WAKE THE FUCK UP ASSHOLES...(not intended those who understand this meaning)...Help the Helpless instead of kicking the helpless in the face when the helpless is already DOWN....... = )

    • 4 years ago
  • phukna
    • 0
      phukna  
    • what ever happened to playing xbox and getting high,
      phk i guess the cult is more interactive.
      i have to get my boss to associate with bebo.

    • 4 years ago
  • huntre
  • VoyagerFilms
    • 0
      VoyagerFilms  
    • You hit the nail on the head jennabean.

      What so many parents seem not to understand is how much they gain by being involved in their children's lives. There is a entire growth stage adults undergo raising their children - provided they are involved and devoted to them.

      I haven't studied it at any length, but it appears to me a large percentage of teen suicides stem from years of uninvolved parenting. This leads the child to feel alone, even abandon, without a support system or group. These kids most likely find other kids just like themselves as they have this single significant characteristic in common - each unable to meaningfully provide or make up for what's lacking, lacking it themselves.

      To you parents and future parents: your job, your house, your car, whatever you place a high value on is nothing compared to your children. The pain and guilt of loosing a child is way beyond any of those things, and it stays with you forever.

      Boy does that girl look familiar.

    • 4 years ago
  • jennabean
    • 0
      jennabean  
    • Again, the peer pressure of suicide during these years are high. Lack of social experience, isolation, hormonal changes can really make this an easy cocktail to drink.

      I wouldn't shut the site down. At least these people know where these kids are going. I say hire counselors to go on these sites and actively participate in discussions, gain trust. If I were a parent, if it meant for me to be on a website all day long involving myself in my child's life - then that is what I need to do.

      So many parents today are not participating in their child's life. Teens don't want the attention, you need to give it to them anyway. Seems parents are thinking they will learn about the world through osmosis.

      Reminds me why I do not want to be a kid again.

    • 4 years ago
  • hotdogwheel
  • huntre
    • 0
      huntre  
    • The official site should be shut down immediately until this is resolved. For God's sake, if there's actually teens offing themselves for peer prestige, then what? You're gone! Now, no one will know your true potential as a person. What good is that to anyone? I hate this.

    • 4 years ago
  • phillyharper
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