Teen Suicide Is Sad Testament

The story this teen’s suicide must be one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard, and an even worse testament on the state of our society.  A teenage boy committed suicide on a live webcam, broadcast on Justin.tv.  According to news reports, the boy wrote a suicide note, and blogged about his impending suicide between 3 and 4 am on Wednesday morning about his suicide attempt.  He apparently had live viewers of his suicide, and it took them about 10 hours before they decided that maybe he had actually committed suicide.  At that point, they decided to contact the webmaster and, eventually, authorities arrived.  By then of course, it was too late.

This teen’s suicide speaks poorly about every witness involved, most of which are teens themselves.  The comments made by viewers watching this tragedy unfold bordered on obscene.  How can we, as a society, have fallen to a point as to be so insensitive and unconcerned about others?  There are, of course, many documented tragedies like this.  Sadly though, it sounds as if the witnesses to this event were primarily kids.  Insensitive kids.  Kids that have no sense of empathy or concern for others.

Why didn’t anyone get emergency help?

What happened to these kids that so totally desensitized them to the plight that was unfolding before them?  I guess there’s a question that we must find a way to address.  The question is — did the observers have a moral responsibility to try to help that boy?  It’s not like no one was watching.  And, more importantly, what needs to happen to change that callousness?  I don’t know the answer, but its something we need to seriously think about.

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