Mom wants cyber bullies punished

Be strong Beth and keep fighting, these kids get their behavior directly from the parents. You have more support then you realize. Start reading the blogs. Everyone is appalled by the Bethel School district and the Peirce County Sheriff's department.

Yeah, have had this happen to me years ago.

School won't do the right thing unless bad publicity gets them by the short and curlies. Then they run around acting like they're doing something.

Of course, in my case, it was teachers who were trying to nail me.

May my previously nasty teachers get what's due to them before the grave catches up with them.

Here's what I don't get, my daughter was so badly bullied at school, she took a knife to school to end her life, thank God! It was all stopped before she could harm herself! SHE is the victim yet, she has to go to counseling, has to be searched everyday, has to be put under a microscope... all of which I have no issue with, it ensures this won't happen again.

What gets me is the boys that did this to her, what do they get? Suspended maybe and a slap on the wrist basically but, do THEY have to go to counseling to understand why bullying is wrong? NOPE! They are allowed to go to school freely... why are they not deemed a "risk to re-offend" and sent to counseling, cause some of these kids have been out of school more then they have been IN school!! And like the story above, the parents don't give a squat!

My daughter will be fine, we love her, we are active in her life and are building her up again after these group, "The Fatal 5" have torn her down. EVERYONE, the teachers, principal, counselors in the city where I live ALL know this group by that name... time to stand up! and I will be shouting loudly!
♥♪♥♫♥

Good for you Beth and Piper. Please bring more attention to this issue because kids are falling victim to this all over the country- and we need laws to punish bullies and their parents. Sombody needs to take responsibility- especially the school districts.

As a victim of bullying for my entire 12-year grade/high school career I can identify with Piper and Beth. We do need to have some courage to protect our children these days when "only the offenders" have any rights. If our school districts will not take the appropriate measures then we need to go to our legislatures in order to see if funding said district could be cut back!

I think the teenagers involved should also be required to go through therapy with their parents who obviously are not raising them properly.

Should those children be punished? Absolutely. By their *parents*, not the judicial system. I'm sorry, but being mean is not against the law. Take it up with the children's parents, and if they are not responding to your satisfaction you'll just have to suck it up. Trying to get the authorities involved in something of this nature is a waste of my taxes.

Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for the child. Being bullied is no fun. However, there are many ways to handle the situation that doesn't revolve around drawing attention to yourself via the media while crusading to make being mean against the law.

This is just another example of bad parenting, where children are left unattended to do as they please while on the web. The computer and television are not babysitters, and there's content on both that needs to be, at the very least, monitored (if not outright restricted) from young impressionable minds. I've heard and read about countless stories like this one that would have never taken place to begin with if parents took the time to find out what their children were doing.

Bullying is becoming more and more public these days. I found this great article on how to prevent bullying, or at least reduce it significantly; http://hyde.typepad.com/parenting_experts/2009/05/bullying-there-is-a-solution.html

It is not just cyber bullying but pure harassment. A couple of years ago I found someone was ordering stuff for me giving private personal data to people and just harrassing.
I found a friendly State Police Officer and the person plead guilty to a
lessor crime. Now the same is starting with the same person and getting data is near impossible because of "privacy laws", "freedom of speech, etc.
The harrases have more protection than the victim. But, isn't that the
way our laws are being directed by activist judges.
Thanks

Beth, I've been through stuff like this myself in school. These other kids aren't going to stop. It's in their DNA to be bullies and slaps on the wrist change nothing. Take Piper to kick boxing lessons. It will boost her confidence and she'll kick any bully's butt.

Thats a convient answer, blame the parents. Everyone likes to fall back on that.

The only problem is thats probably not the case. More and more I am seeing kids out of control not because of the parents but because of outside influences the parents can not control.

Hang in there Beth and Piper.

The school beurocracy won't do anything to help unless forced. You may as well file a lawsuit against the parents and the school district. Without it they will not pay attention to you.

Been there Done that!

Good luck

The girls should be punished, if we keep over looking the problem the kids will continue the next victim. some parents fail to realize that their children can do mean things to other childre. If we the adults allow these kids not to take responsiblity for their actions it's likesaying go ahead there will be no consequences for your actions. As these kids grown up they will not even think twice about taking someone's life.

Wow. This is all non-sense. No one cares, I had worse threats to my face when I was a little boy. This girl needs to stick up for herself and handle things the way Republicans do. Go to War.

i have bullied other kids in the past not going to lie i know howe it affects there mind set i would never do something this cruel though it is hortrible what they did i just would like to appologize and u have support

and another thing dont give in to thge government conspiracy Civil rights bull shyt there jsut trying to save there skiltake them to court put em away

Kim, I have to strongly disagree that all children get their behavior directly from their parents. There are children that have horible parents that turn out to be wonderful functioning people. And there are children who have good parents who turn out to be terrible people. These girls are at an age that they have to be responsible for their own actions. Good for this mother for standing strong to these bullies.

The School can't do anything about this. The actions occurred outside of school and off school property. NOT the school's problem. This is a parenting issue. Heaven forbid that the parents be held responsible!!!!! Give me a break. Until a law is broken there is not a thing that can be done. Talk to the PARENTS wake up people! Add to this that the little darlings that produced this might just claim it is satire and therefore protected under the first amendment.

As an adult, if I threatened to kill a school kid, I would be in prison no questions asked. It is absurd that nothing is being done here.

If I was that gir's father i would go have a man to man 'conversation' with the fathers of the other kids and 'politely suggest' they take a more active role in the discipline of their kids. The fact that these kids can get away with stuff like this is insane.

Beth you should hire a lawyer and sue the school district and the parents of the bullies. That is the only way to send a clear message that this is unacceptable behavior. There should be lots of good lawyers salivating for this high profile case. I imagine that there may even be some nationally famous lawyers who may want to take on this case. Good luck and keep pressing. We all have to stop this bullying to protect our children.

School administration (or any administration for that matter) always wants to potray everything as running smoothly. They dont want any complications. If there are any, they rather let the individual affected do all the defending and leg-work. The administration acts, and in most cases very defensively and often viciously at the victim, only if there is bad press. It is very sad that the victim is often the one that needs to fight back not only against the perpetrators but against the whole system.

"We do not believe there was a real threat.” That is the statement from the police department? That is about the stupidest thing I have ever heard. They need to deal with it as it is a real threat. I havent' seen the video, but the title of it itself is a threat. I think the cops needs to get off their butts and if they can't charge the kids that made this video, then criminally charge the parents. But I think the only way to get it through the school district's, the parents of these girls, these girls and the police department is to file a lawsuit. It just amazes that these people are acting like it is no big deal. I think that the school and the police department should be reprimanded for their stupidity for not doing something. Hang in there Beth and Piper. You continue to get your story out there and things will change. The school and police department as well as the kids and parents WILL be held accountable for their stupidity.

I'm not a parent but this is what makes me wonder whether the children I will have should be home schooled. Yes public school gives them the socializing network they need but do they need this kind of networking? My 14 year old niece has been moved from school to school for problems very similar to this and thankfully have finally found a school that, so far, as lived up to our expectations. I hate to think of how things will be in 10 20 30 years if something isn't done now about these issues!!

My son was bullied very badly at school for the past 2 years. It was brought to the school's attention multiple times. The whole mess climaxed with my son bringing a small knife to school in an attempt to simply scare the others away from him as the teachers were doing NOTHING to curtail the bullying. My son was suspended for 3 days over the knife and the bullies each only got 1 day. The bullying continued again after a short respite and we have removed him from that school as a result. Here is the kicker, it was a private school. The bullies could have either been kicked out or kept out! There was no requirement for them to be at that school. They had a history of this behavior at other schools and they were reprimanded multiple times for it at this school.

I understand that this may not be the most popular response, but parents need to start teaching their kids that there will "always" be someone that does not like them. There used to be a saying "sticks & stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" and it worked! The reason that the police cannot do anything is because no law has been broken. The school district does not have any jurisdiction over the internet, but they did what they could. We really need to remember that although we may not always like what people say about us, but what is most important is what we think about ourselves.

Kids have been bullied at school for decades, they are simply more technologically advanced now. More than likely this was a harmless prank and by making such a big deal with the police and school did more harm than good for this little girl. Do you think she is better off now, the baby of the school, having everyone look at her as the squeeler over a joke. Do you she will be able to find friends at this school now.

I am just sick that this kind of bullying is still treated as a "kids will be kids" thing. The right thing to do is to scare the crap out of the perpetrators – perhaps using mandatory counseling sessions held at a courthouse/police station – so they will get the message that it is NOT PERMITTED, and a second strike is an expulsion so the parents can then deal with their little darlings.

Beth, don't back down. Having your child see you protecting her is critical to her getting past this.

My suggestion is to find your local home schooling group and hook up with them. If your daughter is a self starter and responsible, she can complete all her courses with full curriculum programs online. Home school groups are involved in many activities including sports, music, art, 4-H theater, church, volunteering, etc. So, the kids are not isolated by any means. The sky is the limit when you home school!

Blessings,

Anne

The students who did this need to be required to take counseling and sensitivity classes. Their parents need to be required to take parenting classes.

These children learned that cruel behavior is okay from someone, and it probably wasn't taught at school.

The victim and her parents should receive monetary compensation, even if it is a very small amount, and it should have to be earned by the girls who did this, not just handed over as a check from their parents.

It is horrible.

We need to step up actions towards offenders. I believe in civic rights though but a case like this is deserving of a greater punishment. If they are old enough to design a plot like this, they should be old enough to face the music. Enough is enough.
Over protection is giving this kids undue rights. We have been having cases of suicides resulting from dangerous plot as the one in question. What is the law doing about this? And the schools, what are they doing?

Go ahead, ask me why I homeschool my kids. Like it isn't tough enough being a tween. Chin up sweetheart–unlike those idiots, you've got decent, supportive parents, and chances are you'll outstrip them in the long run.

My goodness...This girl Piper is so beautiful. Sometimes girls can be jealous and take out their frustration on someone like her. If my daughter was someone involved in such cruelty, she would definately know how to respect others..summer school, NO TV for a YEAR, etc!! These girls SHOULD be punished! ABSOLUTELY! Shame on the adults for sweeping this under the carpet!

i just wanted to let your daughter know that she's not alone. i was bullied as well in high school and had the same problems with the school officials. all i can say is hang in there girl, it may not seem like it now, but it really does get better. just keep your head up and believe in yourself and who you are, not what other people think. there is a light at the end of that long dark hallway, you've just got to keep pushing forward.

So making a list will get you arrested, but making a video threatening someone gets you nothing?

The actions of the school, the parents and the police department are deplorable. Those 3 girls should be expelled from school and charges should have been brought against them (at least mandatory counseling).

SUE!!!

Sue the school, the parents and the police department. The school and police department are so worried about legal actions taken that they are not responding to your needs. Give them something to worry about and contact an attorney for yourself and your daughter.

More should be done with this school and the kids who did this. I don't understand it is harassment and I thought schools no longer tolerate that??!

Shame on the kids that did this to Piper and the parents of those kids,
As for the school, man up.

Amber
Portland, OR

Threatening death is not bullying, Allan. It's threatening death.

This is horrible and it's horrible that it takes publicity to get even a slight reaction from school administrators. Does it take another Columbine to get the attention of schools??? In virtually every case of violence about which I have read, the signs were there and the signs were ignored until it was too late. I sincerely hope that officials at some point realize just how big a problem they have on their hands and good for you and Piper in going public with this problem. I only hope that Piper comes through this a much stronger person, and I hope that in some way officials impress upon the students in the wrong just what a terrible mistake they have made before they get even braver to do even worse things. Without intervention, these juvenile delinquents WILL get worse.

I do not understand why bullies get away with what they do. Maybe the criminal code should be revised to include an offence called "psychological assault." This is frightening there is a case in Toronto where a young girl was murdered after such threats. Her parents were both police officers and they did not take action. At least, these children should be charged with uttering death threats. This is very serious and should be taken seriously.

wow thats absolutely horrible. i've had several similar things happen to me during middle and high school but definitely not that bad. i agree that schools do what they can to cover themselves with the least amount of effort necessary. its interesting to see how different the response is between different schools (i'm assuming this happened at a public school – i went to a public middle school and a catholic high school).
this little girl is so lucky to have parents who are concerned and doing everything they can to make sure nothing like this happens again. i'd be interested to find out how many other students this type of bullying has happened to who did not have such concerned parents to bring this to the media and authorities. in my experience the school system and authorities don't listen to young people unless there is an adult doing the speaking. best of luck and god bless

At the end of the day, it is the parents of those girls who are at fault. They are obviously not being vigilant of their children. Not watching their internet access...assuming their children are innocent and perfect. They did not teach their children to respect others. You dont have to like everyone...but you need to respect them. Children do and act as they are taught.

Please... The mom is making this worse. Bullying has gone from the playground to the computer and the mom should have contacted the parents privately and let them know what their kids were doing behind their backs while on the computer. By taking this fight to the school she has crossed the fragile line of school/home. The schools have hundreds if not thousands of other kids to look after and they cant afford to get involved in cases outside the schoolyard. Not to mention the mom has further EMBARRASED this poor little girl because, thanks to google, she will never be able to escape these memories. For the rest of her life she will have the burden because her mommy created a permanent record of her pain and suffering... way to go mom...

This story touches so many nerves in my system! This country needs to understand how devastating bullying can be! That is a direct case of harassment and I absolutely believe that Piper and her parents should prosecute for damages. I was a victim of bullying during my junior high and high school days and it was awful. I was afraid to go to school every day and I began to have anxiety and panic attacks. Bullying is horrible and such a long lasting affect – ESPECIALLY ON GIRLS!!! These kids who bully have no idea about the lasting long term damage they are doing to their piers. It's all about being popular and cool. Now that we have the internet it's only getting worse. I now have a 12 year old daughter and I am happy that she is stronger than I was and she sticks up for herself. But she is very clear on what bullying is and that it is NEVER acceptable in any case. To Piper and her parents PLEASE fight for what is right. They had no right to do that to you and they should be punished. I feel for you, I know exactly how you are feeling.

If the video was not made at school or uploaded at school, the school has very few options. As an educator I really wish parents would stop abdicating their responsibility an expecting teachers and administrators to do their jobs.

If two children get out of school, walk across the street and proceed to get into a fight, parents want the school to do something about it. After school hours and off of school grounds WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

My issue is not that the Smith family is upset. I am a parent and fully understand the need to ensure the child's safety. The parents of the other children involved should be dealing with their daughters. On what planet is it the schools discipline children for thing that are done outside of school?

I also struggle with the complaint against the police department. Just because someone says their want to hurt you, doesn't mean that you are in imminent danger. Some preteen and teen aged girls can be quite mean, but that is not a crime. Once again, this is a lack of parenting issue and a reflection on our society as a whole. I just don't think the school and police are refusing to to their jobs.

These repercussions are what drives kids to believe that these actions are "OK". Publicly declaring your hate for someone in the form of killing her/him and all you get is a small talk?! suspension?! how is that fair? how is that fair to the child that is forced to walk through the same hallways? how fair is it that this child is forced into a corner with everyone else staring at her.

The brats that made this video should be forced to truly examine their actions, along with their parents.

We probably will never know if the right actions were taken, but I hope that the family can live freely without this torment in the near future.

I very much understand what you are going though. My son was bullied by one particular family at our small Christian school in St. Petersburg, Florida, from 5th through 7th grades. In hindsight, I should have taken him out of that school, but I didn't know how bad it was until later.

While I would never, ever approve, I do understand how some children that are bullied take matters into their own hands. A person can only take so much. Good luck to your family.

I have to say I was a parent on the other side of a bullying incident. My son who was in third grade at that time was bullying a boy at school. Teasing him, calling him names, etc. Nothing physically violent, but mentally mean. When the school notified me of this I was livid! Just beside myself. I thought I was raising a kind-hearted, caring, little boy. The school did suspend him for a day and we talked about bullying and how that makes someone feel. I even shared with him a bullying incident that happened to me when I went to school, and how badly that made me feel. He then lost everything he plays with at home, and I made him write an apology note to the student, his teacher, his principal at school, and this little boys parents. I made him hand-deliver every one of those notes (even to the little boy's parents). The little boy's parents talked a bit to my son but eventually shook his hand and told him they forgave him. I'm happy to say that this little boy and my son are still good friends.

My son was 9 at the time and that seemed to have taught him a lesson. I think parents that let their children get away with bullying only hurt their child in the long run. Bullying is a terrible thing and no child (or adult) should be subjected to that. Parents need to let their children take responsiblity for what they did and teach them to try to make the situation right.

Stay off computer – drama over –

Why is it that anytime a child may hear of a perceived threat to the school they are told "tell a teacher", but when an obvious threat ("How to KILL (!?!?!) Piper" video) is handed to the police and school, they do nothing. What makes these administrators think that the next time it wont be another disturbed child with access to his father's guns who made the video? What makes this any less of a threat? just because it comes from 11 year old girls? an 11 year old girl can cause the same damage as a 17 year old boy with a weapon!
This administration's reaction is going to teach the children in their schools NOT to tell if bullying goes to far or threats of murder are uttered. This ignorance is what brought about Columbine... ignoring the problem will NOT make it go away.

This parent and child should get all the support they need from the community, the school and the police department, however, what they got was a brush off. We had better realize bullying is not just a prank, it is harmful and causes unnecessary pain and suffering.
These pampered children who feel they can do what they want, to whomever they want, are the spawn of parents who believe their children are entitled to do what they want as long as they did not physcially harm Beth. How sick.

These girls may have learned their lessons and may never do something like this again, but where in the world is their punishment? Bulling is one thing to punish, but when it's about killing someone something more than just a suspension should be done.

In my current high school a student(s) does something like this and they'll be lucky if they get off with JUST an entire year suspension.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the school does have the athority to search book bags and lockers. In my current school the local police come in with drug sniffing dogs and walk around the buildings the few times. If anything the school has probable cause to search their belongings just because of the video.

I can't even image what it's like to be a kid in school now. When I was being bullied over a decade ago, it was basically name calling, hair pulling, being put in trashcans or lockers... The fun part is that all of this was because I was short!

In high school I had a couple cyber bullies sending IMs pretending to be other people (crushes, friends) then taking what I said and using it against me.

Schools claim to have "no tolerance" bullying policies, but that's just to save their rears. They really don't care! The star athletes will never get in trouble, and the elitist "popular" crowd will continue to get away with everything.

Bullying is not acceptable. All children caught bullying should get detention or suspension. They need to know that saying mean things is NOT going to get them places!

Plus, the bullies grow up to be bullies in the work place, which makes life rather difficult.

It is terrible that this happened, but I'm questioning the school's responsibility here. Are schools responsible for student behavior outside of school? I'm assuming this video wasn't made at school – why is the school being held responsible? The role of the parents of the guilty students has been too underplayed in this.

Beth hang in there and this too shall pass. However, let this be a learning lesson that there are and there will always be two-face people, whom you will be interacting in times to come. People in school, college, mall, workpalce, etc. Do not be afraid of them but once they know your strength and your position they will move back.

I have always followed this 2-point policy:
1. You can never trust your eyes.
2. All relations should be close but limited

Don't back down but with prayer and wisdom you can keep these 'flies' away from you.

I was raised, and raised my children, with the ideas that (a) we are all responsible for our own actions, and (b) the purpose of society is to protect the good and punish the bad. However, in today's society which enshrines rights and deplores responsibilities (as if the two could exist separately), the good must suffer while the government protects the evil.

If this continues, society will collapse when the "me first and to hell with everyone else" crowd becomes the majority – and that's very close to happening – because at that point, EVERYONE will be a "me first" just to survive.

Wow...Allan..this was not a prank...This was a threat! Putting a whoopie cushion is a chair is a prank or T.P'ing a house maybe. But making a video about ways to kill someone I would take it serious. I hope you don't have kids because it's obvious you would sweep it under the rug. When parents do that and chalk it up to 'kids being kids', thats when we here about the kids who hung himself or shot himself because he felt no adults would listen or cared. A few years back, a neighbors son shot and killed the ring leader of the group that bullied him. They were all teenage boys but he was small for his age so the other ones would tease him and gang up on him. Now he is in juvenile with "real' offenders and lost the rest of his childhood.

I'm with the mother on this.

I suffer through being bully'd in school and it was absolutely horrible. There were times I wanted to die. I spent most of my time alone on the other side of the playground where the baseball ground was so that I didn't have to hear them. The problem was that I'd go back into the school and have to deal with it again.

Mind you, it wasn't as bad as it is now with the internet, but it was horrible. I'm a girl and was often punched, and kicked by the boys in the school. And I'd be the one that got into trouble because I swore at them while they got away with it.

My mother was constantly talking to the school Principal, the teachers, and even the other parents, and nothing was ever done. There was an attitude of "kids will be kids" and then shrugging it off. Even when the teachers were right there witnessing what was being done to me.

Everything about me was a target for those nasty children and no one but my mother ever did anything to try to help.

Enough is enough. Bullying has to stop.

I'm a teacher at a small district and see bullying starting with my young children in class. I do my best to stop it from happening, but the worst part Beth is that most of these kids get it from thier parents. Their parents bully them and teach them that it's ok to bully others, that it's a part of growing up.
The district is in a tight spot, they have very little that they can legally do with bullying, especially when they're not getting any back up from the parents at home, but a threat of any kind needs to be taken seriously!!
These parents should be taking more responsibility for their kids and their inappropriate actions. Unfortunately they probably won't.
Piper, keep your head up. What goes around comes around. When you're a successful woman, you'll see.

Adam writes "May 27th, 2009 10:50 am ET

Should those children be punished? Absolutely. By their *parents*, not the judicial system. I’m sorry, but being mean is not against the law. Take it up with the children’s parents, and if they are not responding to your satisfaction you’ll just have to suck it up. Trying to get the authorities involved in something of this nature is a waste of my taxes."
Threatening someone with a video on six ways to kill them is a crime Adam. Do the kids actually have to stab the girl to be arrested, knucklehead.

This is a classic example that parents need to start being parents again and stop letting the TV's, schools, and government try to parent them. I am not talking about Beths mother either. I didnt watch the video or read the article, but I would be willing to bet that Beths mom has taken the necessary steps and was probably blown off by the other parent(s). Listen though, We need God back in this country. It takes God changing the hearts of men and women before a nation will ever change.

I agree with rt who said the mom is making things worse. I heard the CNN interview this morning and the mother has taken what was a bad situation and turned it into a disaster. The child simply parrots things he mothers says... she has given the child a spin against the schools that will warp the kid. The mother was totally unsympathetic on tv. Serious consideration needs to be given to the idea that the mother overreacted to stupid behavior by 11-year-old girls. Sadly, the daughter is probably more messed up now.

Beth,

You must vigorously pursue this. Conspiracy to commit murder is a serious crime. If they had just said they were going to kill her it would not be so serious in the eyes of the law, just a threat, but under the law once they write out a plan or video to commit murder it becomes Conspiracy, which is a severe crime that can land them in jail for years. If kidnapping was part of the video than it becomes a federal crime and you can involve the FBI. I would get a lawyer and I would remind the local police department about the seriousness of the crimes committed. I would make a call to my local FBI office, they may not be able to intervene but it may bring home the seriousness of the crime these children committed to the local sheriff. I am sorry doesn’t cut it. Pull her out of the school and move. A how to kill video is not a joke it shows serious psychopathic tendency’s and goes way beyond bullying. You have to be strong you cant care what the school thinks or the other parents or even the neighbors anyone who is not behind you should stop and seriously consider what they would do if their child’s life was threatened. You have every right to be seriously concerned and demand action when someone lays out a plan on video to kill your child. Its beyond appalling Go to the Attorney General of Washington state, call the governor make a huge stink! Call the head of the school district and the sheriff’s office and started demanding people who mishandled the case be dismissed. Unfortunately the squeaky wheel gets the grease and you should make as much noise as possible because this is appalling behavior by all involved.

Ann
Boston, MA

jeff

Your comment that it is wrong to blame the parents is totally disgusting and a perfect example of what is wrong in this nation regarding the violent and immoral actions of our youth. The parents are TOTALLY responsible for the actions of their young daughters and should bear the full consequences of the courts, law enforcement, and public opinion.

another thing that helped me get through this that might be worth a try was some one on one time with a therapist. NOT one that is associated with the school. they may be able to give insights to the issue that may not have been discussed yet, such as changing schools or altering class scheduals. mine also got in touch with the school and defended me on more than one occasion. its just a suggestion but having another trust worthy adult might help.

I would agree that beth's mom should seek punishment for the kids who did her daughter wrong. Can you imagine at such tender ages they conceptualized ways to "KILL" how much more when they are all grown ups?? I find it appalling how kids who have such thoughts! My daughter who is teased about almost anything at school has learned to retort and fight back on any verbal abuses. I hope I dont sound mean but shouldnt parents teach their "bullied" children to fight back when they are being mistreated? As for parents, ensure that we are always there for our kids 100% so that in case our children encounter anything drastic they are assured that someone is on their side.

You should get the Sheriff, the Principal and someone from the school board to respond to your allegations, so when re-elections come around, there in-action is part of the public record.

Make a stink and things will start moving.

Good for you Piper! By standing up to those little crazy girls you exposed them for the bullies that they are and YOU are to be commended! Those parents of those little girls should be ordered to to take them to Child Psychiatrists.. The girls should have to perform community service in a home for mentally disabled children.. And go before the entire school audience and publically apologize to Piper.

Okay, I understand the anguish. However, in this time of OBAMAISM, cant we extend an olive branch to all the folks involved, because there seems to be an amount of creativism and skill in the making of this video. Maybe something good can come of this.

These kids are making terrorist threats to intimidate. Why aren't they in Gitmo?

Cyber bullying? Really? Kids (and some adults for that matter) have been bullied by various means probably since the dawn of civilization. The idea that we are treating cyber bullying any different than regular bullying is absolutely ridiculous. If you want to discuss bullying in general, then fine, but don't call it "cyber" just so you can make is sound like something other than what it is, the same thing that has been happening to kids forever.

Hell, Just take them to the hood, and let the street boys bully them and then they will know what it feels like to really be intimadated. A sort of 2009 scared straight type of thing.

This is a clasic tale of Parents in America falling in their responsibilities of proper child rearing. Its easy to blame the media, movies, online etc.. however the ultimate power to guide the children is not schools but HOME.
Parents are occupied by their own agendas and that leaves children to their own risky behaviours. And instead of reprimanding the children, parents blame others for their children's rancour. What a pathetic behavior.
You shall reap what yoy sow parents.

This is a symptom of the excesses of our culture. Children have always had to deal with some level of bullying, but this is simply too much. Beth needs to keep pushing loudly and band together with other parents in the same situation. This needs to be brought to the highest level of recognition in this country. If schools aren't safe, what is? And, don't expect concerned parents to drop their children off at these war-zones.
Too many school administrators are simply lazy and unfocused to the matters at hand and too many teachers are burned out.

people, please.

If anything the school has no responsitibility to even listen to this nonsensical bull...Did the school encourage the bullying?
Did the parents inform the school of what had happened in a timely fashion?

Why is the school being blamed...why not the sheriff's office?

If the school tells the parents their child is safe...and the child NEVER reports anything to them....they are just as clueless as the parents were in this situation.

Blame the bullys parents for poor parenting skills.

as for the 2 to 3 days it took to get back to the parents...the school should be faulted for not calling the parents directly....

Kids have been bullied for decades....That pecking order...So, what? That doesn't make it right. Kids are becoming more cruel and devious, with parents and teachers ignoring the obvious. And why can't school bags be checked? Many schools now have bag checks...The girls that made that video are the ones that brought that action down upon the other students....These kids need therapy, and shouldn't be allowed into back into any school without proof that they are under the care of a professional..one not tied to the schools...Also, any tutoring of these degenerates should be the reponsibility of their family, not the school district...May I remind you that they are not the victims...

Allan, it's people like you that have no concept of true moral value and promote that theory, Boys will be boys"...What a disgrace! Hopefully you are not a parent!

So sorry to hear about this case...
A similar thing happened to my son, and for his safety I felt I needed to switch schools. I was advised by the police, children's services and an attorney that I should sue the offending children's parents for the cost of tuition at the new school. I am not one to go out and sue people, but in cases where the safety of a child is at stake, I would advise it. The parents CAN be held responsible. Additionally, if the video was made at school AT ALL, the school can be held responsible. If it was not made at school, that limits their responsibility dramatically.

Something very bad has happened in our culture. It has become okay for kids to threaten, torment, ridicule, insult and hurt other kids - with very little in the way of intervention from the school administrators, teachers or police. How is this fair for the students who ares imply trying to go to school, learn, and make it through the day without being initimidated and harrassed? I think it is an outrage that schools cannot or will not figure out an effective, adequate response to these situations. And what about the civil rights of the victims? Why is it that the civil rights of perpetrators are paramount? School officials across the country, by and large, have done a miserable job understanding and addressing the widespread and damaging bullying that is going on. Parents and victims of bullies, take a stand!!! There are plenty of people out there who are SICK OF IT, but the only way to get action is to speak up, over and over again. We have to do whatever it takes to keep our children safe in school. They are counting on us.

This is awful...
I am very confused that one week you read that a young teenager is being charged as an adult sex offender for sending pictures of herself naked to other kids, yet these kids make a video on how to kill this young girl and they get their hands slapped... SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!!!!

It's not the schools responsibility to police what these kids do that isn’t school related. It is their responsibility to protect the kids while they are in school. Beth Smith should file an harassment lawsuit against the kids and their parents for providing them the means to create this video and distribute it.

OMG. Allan. are you not in the real world? haven't you've seen what the so called "bullies" are doing these days. Advanced they are, and kids are being hurt, killed and victimized with physical and emotional scars. Seriously, it's not the same as decades ago. WAKE UP! Beth and Piper you stay focused on your safety and keep fighting this.

Adam, did you not read the article? Threatening to kill someone is against the law, making a video on 5 ways to kill a person is indeed a threat. Yes it's waste of your taxpaying money to ensure the saftey of children attending school.....*sarcasm*

The quickest and only way for bullying to stop is to put the beat-down on the lead bully. That will end it, guaranteed.

Get over it!...

This is the result of an ENTIRE SOCIETY of wrongdoings. We want to be so politically correct and so "liberal" and "free" that our children have no boundaries. The parents can't punish them because it's abuse; the schools can't punish them because it's violating some ridiculous rights; the entertainment industry can't be held accountable because it's their right to sell sex and violence.

And it's creeping up the ladder to adults who run around like children. I'm 30 years old and I've got forums dedicated to hating me over my opinions of a television show. This wasn't the internet I signed onto when I was Piper's age.

We reward hatred and controversy and mock love and compassion, it's no wonder we've got eleven year olds making videos on how to kill classmates.

Sue the school. I hate lawsuits, but it's the only way to get schools to listen. They care if you go after their money...but they don't seem to care much if someone goes after their students. Unbelieveable. Kids are literally bullied to death. Many have commited suicide to stop the bullying. They seriously saw ending their own lives as the only solution to stop the bulling. They had given up on seeing the schools or teachers as someone to stop the bullying. So they chose suicide to stop it themselves. These kids are old enough to create the video, old enough to come up with six ways to kill a classmate, old enough to select which classmate to target, old enough to know how to post it on you-tube....they are therefore old enough to be considered a threat and to be charged with harrassment and terroristic threats. They should be in MANDATORY counseling. If I were neighbors of these girls, I'd be closely watching out for my pets and kids. These are not innocent children. They even mentioned suicide as a method of killing – which means that they know about the kids that kill themselves to end bullying. Nothing kids do is surprising these days. Age 11 is no longer an age of innocent little girls and boys. They beed to be punished AND sent to therapy to see why they harbor so much hate and anger. If the 11 year olds are like this, what on earth are their parents like and/or what are the parents doing to their own kids?

Why are parents not responsible for what these kids are doing. No child should be afraid to go to school because they are teased or harrassed. It is amazing to me that the offenders parents arent out ragged at thier kids actions. While I dont think kids should be babied I do think that every parent should be more involved in thier kids actions. And that just as much teaching about standing up for your self and being strong willed should be taught to the "victims" before they are made real victims in the real world.

Why is the school involved? Unless the video was made and distributed on school grounds the school has no responsibility in this. Its like a kid beating up your child in the neighborhood do you take it to the school, no you handle it.

This is a matter between the parents and if the parents do not punish their children to the level deemed appropriate by the victim's parents then take them to court. Even if the police do not do anything, the parents can still sue them. I don't like sueing but if the police will not do anything and those parents are not properly punishing their kids then you still have the courts.

This means, wait for it, the parents have to take responsibility for their kids actions. A good parent would punish their children for making a video like this. The police and school should not get involved at all, the parents need to do their jobs. If they don't then punish the parents in the courts.

People (Adam, Jim, Allan), what is WRONG with you??? Have you NEVER heard of harrassment, terroristic threatening and distrubing these peace? These are ALL crimes, crimes to which the perpetrators have alread admitted; YES, they have commited crimes and YES it's time that the prosecuting attorney in this district face facts: that if no action is taken, they are simply breeding another branch of the Manson Family. They may appear harsh but I certainly don't think the Manson Family members spent their formative years baking muffins!!!

I know this situation upset people and feelings were hurt, but where was a law broken? Nowhere it seems. Yet she wants to involve the police and have the school system discipline the other girls, maybe it is time for this girl to get a lesson in not being a victim and learning that others have the right to free speech. Really, all these people complain about government spending and taxes, having police get involved in kids being mean to each other in the school yard is not a good way to spend money. Stop being victims.

Beth,

Hope you get the courage and strength to fight mean spirited children and do nothing school administrations. We want these kids need to
know right & good vs. wrong & bad.

Thank you for sharing your story and wish your daughter the very best.
(I have one 11yrs & 9 yrs old daughters).

Hello....
Bullying is not even the proper word for this unlawful act allowed in Public Schools. Harassment and slander is, which are Laws that adults are sewed for in court. Since the Bible and the Paddle have been taking out of school, the DOE has not developed a system to civilize kids. I know college kids that still have no clue of half the laws.
It is time for the DOE to teach Laws and have the kids sign off on each one at the beginning of the school year, every year. Plus a system needs to be developed to report these crimes immediately.
Stop Unlawful Acts in Public schools. Teach the Laws, have each kid sign these contracts yearly. If they break these laws anyway, get them out of our schools. Why should an uncivilized criminal be allowed to go to a Public School anyway. Put them all in Military schools. That would be a positive way to handle the real problem.
Olly van Zapp

This sucks.... however, it appears to me all parties responding quickly in "real world" time. In addition they actually were efforts by the offending parties to correct their behavior and apoloigize, so it is up to the "MOM" and daughter to accept that, and move on, versus making a media circus about this. Girls certainly need counseling about the "hate" they were spewing.

If the state's action was inadequate or meaningless, then Piper Smith should be suing the girls who made and posted that video and the school board, principal and administrators for defamation, infringement of civil rights, cyber bullying, criminal harassment.

There are a lot of lawyers who would salivate at taking such a case pro bono. Fight back instead of turning the other cheek. Politeness is being taken as a sign of weakness.

Has the offending video been removed from the site and have those girls been banned from using the Internet?

my baby sister had lsd put in her drink when she was 15.. they then locked her in a closet for four hours. this was done by her best friends on the cheerleading squade at edison high/jr she never was right afterward and died at about 30 years old from an over dose.

my mom knew about it casue she pulled her out of the closet to save her..

i also was bullied and one of the good things from it, is learning to identify when someone else is vulneralble to it and having the strong feeling to protect them. not sure i would have had this feeling if i hadnt been bullled. so i guess there is a positve that can come from it as one grows stronger.

pat

eeek...bullies.

That has never happened before....

Wake up people. It is in our DNA to bully.

Some mothers take care of it in various ways, this one just choose to go on national television and tell everyone that her kid was spoofed on a video.

The authorities were contacted....what more would she like done. this isnt a crusade it is a poor attempt at getting on television....next a book deal.

Very similar story happened to our 8th grade son a few years ago. He was being bullied by the high school football star. The coaches, of course, never did anything about it (they're the WORST) until I went up there and screamed at the head coach at the top of my lungs and told him that I was about to kick his a$$ myself if something didn't get done.

Prior to this, we had gone to teachers, principals and the administration. Nothing got done. It's all about dumbing everything down. They want to coddle the troublemakers and let the good kids get punished and suffer. The school systems today make me sick. We ultimately ended up moving to a much smaller school just outside of the city. Best thing we ever did for our kids.

This is absolutely atrocious - cheers to this mother and daughter for coming forward, because doing so it hard to do. The students involved in the video should all be expelled from school and/or receive judiciary punishment. The school needs to send a severe anti-bully tolerance message. I feel that we need to react just as swiftly to these situations as we do to other types of threats (i.e. Columbine's students threat to kill classmates). I feel bad that Piper has to experience this during school, which should be an environment for learning.

Instead of crying about it and complaining about it and not getting anything done, I think Piper needs to confront the bullies directly (not having mommy or daddy call their mommies and daddies) and fight her own battles. The only people that get bullied are those that are easy targets, because bullies are inherently cowards – that is why bullies work in groups or pick on smaller kids.

I was bullied in first grade by a bunch of fourth graders, and it didn't stop until I snapped and puched one of them in the face repeatedly like Ralphie in A Christmas Story – that was the last time I was bullied. Fighting back may not be PC, but it is the best way to stop bullies.

It's true that there are exceptions out there of good kids coming from bad parents (and bad from good) but by and large parents are the biggest influence on their kids. There is a massive population of people in this country who have absolutely no business being a parent. Hell, I wouldn't let these people take care of my cat, much less a child.

People seem to be in love with the idea of parenthood, regardless of if they're actually ready or not. It would be VERY refreshing to finally hear some people say that they're taking the responsible route and waiting to have kids....or better yet, deciding be Childfree for the entirety of their lives.

Children left to their own devices are savage. Like soldiers operating without the restraint of NCOs and officers, children without solid parenting will be out of control. Bullying is just one result of failed parenthood.

I was bullied in school too, on three occasions, when I in elementary school years ago (I'm 48 now). On each occasion I had to to the extreme. On one I was in full swing with a baseball bat when a guy behind me on the school bus grabbed the bat. As the bully got off of the bus I kicked him as hard as I could between the legs. He never bothered me again. My son gets bullied some, however he does know karate, but I can't get hiim to use it. I recommend that you get in the attack mode. That is all that a bully can understand. It's the same in the adult world too. People will run you over.

Laugh in their faces. Bullies can't STAND to be laughed at. Ridicule them and their 'threats'. Treat them like the simpering cowards they are. Even if you have to bite your lip, laugh in their faces.

OK... Just playing devils advocate here but I saw the actual broadcast of this story and Piper came across as a bit of a snot, rolling her eyes during the interview, and seemingly well coached by Mom. This might not be a case of picking on a child because he is different, or has funny clothes, becaues Piper seems to be a normal and bright pretty young lady (aside from the attitude) but it is such a hot button issue that everyone gets all "oh my god! cyber bullying!" I am not advocating the other girls video... but they were kids, and for all we know Piper could be a little brat and this was there way at expressing distaste in a stupid and childish mannor... just trying to be critical...

bring on the overreacting follow ups.

As the victim of bullying for over 10 years at school, I hope this girl's parents sue the hell out of the parents who allowed their children to post this information.

Please make sure your daughter gets professional counseling, and also place a restraining order against those girls too, for her own safety.

School administrators didn't listen to the bullying complaints that happened to me, and for the written death threat I received, the girls in question only received a one-day suspension.

20 years later I am still living in hell from what those girls did to me. I am so glad you are taking your daughter's threat seriously!

Just publish the names of the kids involved – the internet community at large will be happy to police our own – as we've done since it's inception.

Hang in there, and ,,!,, to the haters!

I really hope that those kids are made to be responsible for their actions. This case is appalling. I was bullied all during junior high and it was awful. I've never forgotten how it made me feel. Those kids must be punished. This is not acceptable.

To Bobbi,

As an educator, I can't help but wonder if you'd think differently if the video they made had been about "Six Ways to Kill Your Teacher." I mean if it was made off school property and some girls are just mean and all...

The "kids will be kids" attitude is part of the problem here. Yes, bullying has been going on since I was in school (and I'm in my 60s). But that doesn't make it right, and it's gotten meaner through the years. The attitude that one should just ignore it is part of the problem. This mother is teaching her daughter to have the courage to stand up for herself even if it makes a situation more difficult. Bravo.

It's time to take bullying more seriously. It's not enough to just state in the school handbook that it's not allowed. Kids who bully need to have strong punishments for what they do. They need counseling (and not in a group with their friends where their behavior is reinforced by those who are doing the same thing.) They need to do some community service. Their parents need to be inconvenienced (have to take off work to take their children to sessions or make child care arrangements because their kids are suspended from school). Then maybe they will be more likely to discipline their kids and take a look at what kind of person their child is becomming. The victim should not be the one who is punished.

Unfortunately, the middle school/jr. high age kids are the worst offenders, but it starts in elementary school. We need no tolerance rules with some teeth in them for all schools and solid attention to this matter by parents and schools at an early age. We are creating too many mean spirited, rude kids. It's time to ask why this is happening and what we can do to change it. It will take more than just complaining and talking about it.

ha ha ha ha...i love this thread.....

If only some of you worked in the PUBLIC school systems...you would then have a clue....

but since you dont, you can speculate....

PUNISH POOR PARENTING.....but that might hit a little to close to home for some of you...........take responsibility for your childrens actions.....oops, that might hit a little to close to home as well....

99% of the time, the bullying is happening right in front of teachers who do nothing. Yes, the school is responsible, sorry. They raise the children during the day, including morals. Thats life.

its time to hold schools responsible for things happening right under under their noses.

As for the parents, its time we get laws saying that parents who do nothing to stop their children from bullying other children start facing jail time.

Its either that or allow children to keep killing themselves over the bullying.

Responsibility must be taken and the responsibility isn't with the bully'd, its with the bully's.

Since when are schools responsible for what your kids do at YOUR home?!!! Parents, get home and watch your kids if you know they are little brats (and most teenage girls are). Don't blame the school for a video that was made at your child's friends' homes. Grow up and raise your brats yourselves.

It is unbelievable that children could even consider getting away with this type of conduct. The thoughts behind actions like this should never occur, there is something seriously lacking that kids would act in such a vile manner. Darned straight they should be prosecuted and punished...and hard. Our thoughts and prayers are with Piper and her family, and also the family of the little heathens that did this.

Six Ways To Make a Mother think Homeschool is the way to go-

These children made my blood run cold, poor Piper what an awful situation for a little girl, and her parents. The school district is negligent, civil rights my foot those little thugs need to be taught that those rights were earned by the sacrifice of many to afford equality not so that they can hide behind them.

Right on about Home Schooling.... our girls have been for several years now. Think back to your public school days,,, a huge institution , especially jr and high school, where kids are crammed in like Cattle, with minimal adult oversite, only in the classroom, and a free for all outside where kids call their own shots, good and very bad.

Find a new group of friends, several..... and the girl will be fine. Ingnore the creepos... be strong.

The parents are making much too big of a deal of this. The “video” (watch it and look at the childish drawings) is ridiculous and it is obvious that no real threat ever existed. Piper’s parents are making this much worse on her by calling all of this attention to her. She’s going to be forced to transfer schools. Can kids be cruel? Yes. Was anything other than Piper’s feelings ever at risk of being hurt? No. Get over it.

The mother is acting like she truly believes that the other girls were really contemplating MURDERING her daughter. Everyone reading this knows that the mother did not truly believe that… she is just being overly dramatic about this and making a spectacle of her and her daughter.

I say call Elk Plain School of Choice in Washington State & let the principal know you disapprove. That's what I'm doing. It takes a village - and not just the voices of Piper and her Mom.

Cindy,

Have you seen some of the counseling services out there....who pays for that?

THe irresponsible parents....or the taxpayers??????

This is one BRAVE parent and one lucky girl to have a mother stand up to a school who DOES NOT care about this issue. It is obvious the parents of the little B$%ches that did this don't care they just want it to go away. These parents should be shunned. They are foolish if all they had to do was say i'm sorry and that was it. this act has malice intent. These are brazen girls- I am sure if we looked at these girls in 10 years we would see other bad behavior and they would prove to amount to nothing in the future. They need consequences for what they did to get them on track to become good citizens.

Why should we as tax payers pay for public education, salary for teachers and administrators for school that make outrageous salaries when they DO NOT PROTECT our children in schools. This issue should bring to light the bigger picture- our kids are NOT SAFE in public school. How many cases of bullying, death threats, weapons in school do we read each year. Each year the kids get more bold. Each year schools contact legal counsel BEFORE parents. Schools and districts wants to sweep these incidents under the rug like they never happened. We need to demand for resignations from teachers and administrators who failed to take action prior to the media getting wind of the story. Shame on them and others in other districts that allow this type of hatred to continue in our schools all around the country. What a waste of money paying these useless individuals. If you have ever had a child victimized at school you should be furious that this still happens. If you plan to educate your children in the public school system- take notice of what is happening now and make a promise to get involved so that it gets corrected before you allow your child to go to one of these schools that does not care about student safety.

Look at some of the presumed best school districts in the country, they have issues they hope the media never gets hold of
D20 in Colorado Springs had a student raped by another student during school hours. The school did not want to take responsibility for placing a "problem male student" with a female special needs student. The parents in this situation sued them. As they should have but not before they were berated by the district. Schools use tactics to make the victim feel like the problem.

More parents need to be like this mother. Do not get bullied by the school. Do not get frustrated with the police lack of action. Take it to the media. Do not shut up until something is done. The idiot parents of these video girls should have to be held accountable for their offspring-s actions. These girls should be made an example and be permanently removed from this school. They should be forced to work hours of community service along with their parents. The parents should be forced to take parenting classes AT THEIR expense. Bad parents,absent parents, selfish parents create monster children.

May 27th, 2009 11:35 am ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

They need to take this seriously, cause. Just last week on Oprah, she had two parents who’s sons killed themselves because of bullying, if the girls who are doing the bullying are not punished, then they will continue to think that this behavior is okay. They should both have 60 hours of community service. Where they will go and talk with someone about bullying and go and listen to victims of bullying. All students involved should be have to turn in a 10 page report on tolerance. And they should not be able to participate in the next 5 school events. It sounds a little harsh, I know, but these young people made a video about KILLING and or wishing the DEATH of another human being. They need to know how serious this really is. And It’s not okay.

And then on the other end you have schools that discipline kids for simply putting negative opinions about classmates on their MySpace pages and call it bullying. Because hurting someone's feelings, even if telling the truth, is bullying now. We've really gone over the edge on this whole thing. When I was a kid, we sang a song every year around now, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school.." I'm sure lots of people are familiar with it. Yet we did not burn down schools, hang teachers, or shoot principals. Today, we'd be arrested for making terroristic threats.

And this is yet ANOTHER reason that my daughter is homeschooled.
I understand not everyone has this opportunity or even wants it, but if I were the mother of Piper, I would have taken my child out of school.
I know at that age, there are some cruel people..but this is downright alarming. Even in the 80's when there were not these laws, had we done something like that, we would have been expelled from school at the very least. Who is protecting these girls? It is one thing to say " I hate that girl" or even "I wish she was dead." (which is a horrible thing, but remember it is a strange age and it is doubtful they actually mean it..) But to actually make a video about it and to seemingly plan out another students demise? These girls need to see a therapist or something before they actually start to put their thoughts into action. Easy for people to get carried away, especially with their peers egging them on.
James has a good idea. The mother should at the least invest in self-defense classes for the girl, not just to boost her confidence but to protect herself.

The problem here is that our country is being run into the ground by our government meddling into our personal affairs and all the bleeding hearts. What ever happened to spanking/disciplining your child when they got out of line? It went by the wayside since people are crying for child services if you even look at your kid wrong. When I was growing up, I was a stubborn knucklehead and my mom would let me know the consequences to my actions by giving me a whoopin' no matter where we were. As a good friend of mine used to say, "Beat your kid for a better America." lol. But seriously, we need to let parents be able to discipline their children whether it be in the confines of their home or in public to minimize these types of incidents or worse.

If your child is being bullied – Put them in a new school! Make a change!

Private school, church school, the school in the next town – drive them everyday if you have too.

Do something to change the situation – don't just wait for other people to "fix" the problem.

It is a pack situation and the pack always rules – unless you pull the weakest link out. Then the next weakest link will get it.

My parents bought me a cute little mustang (under $2K), got me some basic cute clothes, and a haircut – and it stopped. – I was lucky that was all it took. But that was 15 years ago.

hmmm – last I heard, threating to kill or do bodily harm to someone is a crime. Did that change? When after Columbine? 9/11? Not even supposed to "joke" about stuff like that – because it can and does happen.

This is not "kids being kids". To threaten to kill and create a film, even a cartoon, shows a lot of thought about killing someone? Kids are being kicked out of school for having a kill list; this is a movie!

No – what they did what not kids being kids, or even free speach. try that same idea concerning airlines/airports/courts – see which cops show up at your door and if you are even aloud to stay at your door...

My message is straight to Piper. Don't be afraid!! Don't let nasty two-faced snots like this keep you from being yourself and striving to be the best person you can be. You've already shown how strong you are by facing up to these threats instead of hiding and changing schools. Keep it up!

I was bullied incessantly in middle school. One particular boy named Joe even thought it was fun to make fun of me the day I was crying in class because my cousin had just died. I was slapped, spit on, slammed into lockers and threatened on a daily basis.

It ended up that Joe and I went to the same college. We even ended up in the same class. One day we were talking about the cruelty of children and I told my story. I could see him shrinking further and further into his seat. Finally, at the end of my spiel I turned to him and said, in front of the whole class, "Joe, you were the worst of those kids. Why did you treat me like that? What did I ever do to you?" His friends started in on him and he ended up leaving the class, humiliated. Shortly thereafter I got my apology. It only took 10 years.

You just hang in there, keep doing what you're doing and don't let these shallow, worthless people stop you from succeeding at whatever you want to be. I didn't.

This is a severe problem throughout many schools. My 12 year old was cyber bullied this year at school. The final straw was when they started leaving messages on her cell phone that she was "a freak of nature and needed to crawl away and die." Brought it to the school's attention but not much was done, especially since the main culprit is in the National Honor Society!!! This all occurred at a private school and we felt like the school did not want to offend "paying parents". We've had to change schools. We need laws to fight this and support from school administrators that we will have a zero tolerance for bullying.

A very strong reprimand is required – expelling these students for a year should send the message this will not be tolerated in the public school system.

Jen, learning how to apologize after you have screwed up comes directly from the parents. You apologize early, often and try to make ammends. These parents haven't gone public and those apologies need to be as public as the humiliation and intimidation was Piper. I think the kids and their parents should make a you tube video apologizing and post that.

My son was bullied for two months at a private school and they hardly did anything! We finally got him moved out of the same classroom as the bully but he still was bullied on the playground. Finally he snapped and kicked this kid's ass! The school called me and told me and I just laughed and said that kid had it coming. The kid never bothered my son again.

It never should've come down that though. The school should've intervened and the kid should've been expelled. But I'm glad my son gave him what he deserved.

I was a kid bullyed when I was a kid, and even after I graduated high school. I was bullyed for years to come. One main factor to teach your kid is to do the right thing, and most important of all to teach the kid to STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THEM SELF ! NO LIE. The truth. I still am paying the price for being bullyed in my past years.
I never had a girlfriend.
I cant socialize with other people
People judge me before they even say one word to me
I feel paranoid around others
I went to jail for something I didnt do and had to pay 7,000.00 of money I didnt have and almost serve 2 years prizon which I did get cleared of it.
People still make fun of me who dont know me.
I carry a gun on me ready to defend myself all the time now
Im living a lonley life. I only have like 3 freinds.
I can carry this on and on. I will be amazed if I am not in jail or dead in 10 years from now. Yes I do stand up for myself now, but all the damage it does on a person and what it did on me.. I am age 37 now.. email me at vlaka1972@gmail.com

The Supreme Court is hearing a case in which school administrators had a 13-year-old girl STRIP-SEARCHED

The parent took the wrong action here. Bullying is something everyone deals with in some form or another. it does not stop with a diploma. It is human nature to try to push others down to raise yourself up. The difference is, we are not teaching these kids to do anything about it. If your child is being bullied in a way where their life is not in danger you do not call the damned police. You dont go whining to the school board. Grow up and be parents, talk to the childs parents, talk to the child, talk to YOUR child and teach them to stand up for themselves instead of being passive victims.

Running to the police, the school and the media will only make your child more of an outcast making the situation harder on them. Is that really what you want? Our children need to make a place for themselves within social circles, we cant make them for them. Stop looking for laws and rules to make things easy and be parents.

To the person who commented that it's not the parents' fault: of course it probably is! If parents would teach their kids right and wrong, and how to think for themselves, there would be a huge reduction in the amount of incidents like this. I am a parent of three boys, 15, 9, and 5, so I'm not just randomly yapping, here. I'm not saying all parents can always instill values in their children that will always cause those children to do the right thing, but damn it, people! Try!

The tv and video games and the Internet are NOT babysitters or substitute parents. There is no substitute for good, old-fashioned one-on-one parent/guardian to child teaching. If I turned my kids loose on the Internet, or expected the local video arcade to nurture them, I would expect little hellions that cared not for anyone or anything to be the result. As it is, although my kids are absolutely not paragons of virtue–they're kids, they're human–I am proud to say that I have seen them take up for the underdog more than once, and they will not have anything to do with kids who go in for this kind of behavior, even if they have previously called those kids "friends".

I feel for little Piper, and I agree that her mom should get her some martial arts training...not just the massive, chain-gym kind either, but with a teacher schooled in the traditional Asian customs. Piper will definitely learn respect for herself (and others), self-discipline, and will gain tremendous confidence and better social skills, as well as being able to defend herself if need be. Before he became disabled, my husband was a martial artist, and all three of our kids have been trained–and the results are worth the time and effort.

I also think that we need to teach kids that it is okay to stand up for themselves. For too many years now, we've been doing things that give our kids the idea that they have to go with the herd, that being an individual is dangerous and bad. This is one way group bullying catches on; everyone's too afraid of being different to walk away from it. Teach our kids the skills to negotiate, debate, and discuss–but also to protect and defend themselves if they must.

For the people who have replied "Get over it", you just don't understand what it is really like to be bullied over and over as a child. Perhaps, in school you thought that it was cool to harass and bully other kids.....Let me assure you, it is NOT!!! And for the people who reply that the most effective response is to "beat down" the lead bully. Well, that doesn't work either...mostly because the lead bully is seldom alone and because the person being bullied is often one of the physically smallest people in class. They don't go after the big guys to bully. The bullies are cowards at heart and go after the easy targets, often striking from behind. Parents, schools and society in general has to deal firmly with the issue of bullies. The people who are bullies while they are children will very often grow up to commit violent crimes against others, to include children, because they learned early on that they can get away with it. I know what it is like to be the target of bullies for essentially all of my school years. Stop the bullies now while they are young, while you can truly make an impact. It doesn't matter if they are using their fists or using a computer to inflict their cruelty upon others. People need to be proactive. The victims of bullying need to also know that it is OK to tell people that it is happening so that something effective can be done to stop it. It's not being a "snitch" or a "tattletale". It's stopping something that is wrong from continuing to happen.

Reading other comments on this story, I get an interesting feel for what other people are thinking. I was bullied for a few years in middle school, but it was nothing more than name calling. I don't think it's fair to say that coming up with the best ways to kill another student is quite the same. Apparently a large number of people have forgotten the lesson learned from Columbine and other school shootings. Here it is again, for the absent-minded: take all threats of violence in and around schools seriously.

Putting myself in Beth's shoes, I'd be doing everything in my power to make sure the other students are no longer attending the same school as my child. I'd be suing parents left and right. I'd be speaking with the superintendent about an en masse meeting with the students of the school to explain the consequences of their actions.

Lest we forget, sending children to school is a legal requirement for parents. Therefore, the protection of ALL children is the school's responsibility. By responding with severe punishment for this infraction, the school district does two good things: establishes a precedent to be followed in later incidents and also leaves an impression on other students and parents about what is acceptable behavior.

Parents: don't be afraid to enter your child's room - frequently. Actually look at things and decide for yourself whether you need to ask questions. The most pain free way to guide a teen away from trouble is to put them on the spot with questions. If they seem uneasy while answering you, keep digging until you're satisfied or a truth comes out.

I have a daughter that is going through the same thing and the school would not do anything about it. So I took matters into my own hands I told these girls that if they lay a hand or do any harm to her that I will do the same to them.
i think that these kids need to be held accountable for their actions and their parents should too!!!!!!!

This is a problem that has been going on forever, and it doesn't stop with kids – a lot of bullies grow up to be adult bullies ( unfortunately, a lot of them do very well in life ).
Now, we have the internet which is the way kids communicate (think "phone" when you were a kid.
Problem is, there is little context in internet exchanges – can't see facial expressions, can't hear tone of voice – so 1/2 to 2/3 of communication is missing. As a result, kids don't have the feedback mechanisms to let them know when they are being mean and have hurt someone – even the best kids do this, and are embarrassed by what they have said to and about other kids online without realizing.
My daughter was just a victim of a group of bullies (mild, compared to this video). She had friends that stuck up for her, so she learned a few valuable lessons from the encounter. I learned some too:
- This isn't a school or police problem, it's a community problem
- Your kids may be "bullying" also, without realizing it – everyone at some time has said a mean thing to someone about someone. The difference now is that it's all in public, by virtue of chat and facebook.
- Regrettably, facebook is a necessary part of your kids social life. This is about to be more regrettable, it has been partially purchased by a Russian company – look out for revenue generation by sale of information, and if you think your real identity is protected, think again.
- Print out a page of your kids wall or some chats, and ask them if they would be comfortable reading this in the auditorium with a microphone, and point out that is approximately what they are already doing.
- Get your own facebook account, and make your kids add you as a friend. It's a little weird at first, but don't you sit with your kids and their friends around a campfire sometimes?
- Discourage vendettas, it just escalates
- Encourage your kids to go help those who are bullied that have few or no friends to stick up for them – when my daughter was bullied we discussed how awful it must be to be one of the weaker kids with no one to stick up for you.
- Even the best kids say and do things online that they wouldn't say or do to anothers face – point this out to them, take them back through some exchanges, make them realize that they need to think, think, think before they press that enter key.

I am sickened by this story. Shame on the parents of the girls who put together this video. I too am a mother of a 6th grader. She has been the target of "milder" bullying by girls at school.

The parents of these insensitive girls need to be held accountable and should have immediately contacted Piper's parents and apologized. I'd like to hear what they have to say – in my mind, they are the ones at fault.

Missy Jenkins at missyjenkins.com can tell you all about bullying – from the wheelchair she's in after being paralyzed by Michael Carneal in the 1997 Paducah, Ky. school shooting. Carneal was bullied relentlessly. It's unacceptable. Missy's new book is aimed at stopping bullying and changing school cultures. Until the cultures change, nothing will change.

Sorry Adam, but you should get over the "waste of your tax dollars." The law recognizes a difference between verbal insults and threats to safety. This case by far and away was a physical threat, and therefore a judicial problem.

OK, I am confused. The mom says Piper has to go to school with these girls every day, and in the next sentence she says they were expelled. Which is it? If they have not been expelled, they should be. If they have, the school has done what they can, and the mom and dad should persue the criminal aspect, or take it to civil court.
Also, as a computer teacher in an elementary school, I see first hand how these things happen. We spend so much time teaching kids how to use the cool new technology available, but when it comes to teaching cyber ethics, and digital ethics...there is "no time" for it, or it is not in the "core curriculum" I see way to much intellengence without ethics, and it is scary.

Elk Plain School of Choice and the Bethel School District were informed of this video nearly three weeks ago. Immediately after we were notified, we contacted police because the video was not made at school. We also appropriately disciplined all of the students involved. These students have been punished and have expressed their remorse.

I understand both sides of this issue. The simple reality is this....the video was not made or distributed from the school, therefore, they are not LAWFULLY responsible, however, you cannot tell me someone at that school did not know about the video...Someone should have called this girl's mother and told her rather than her daughter having to tell her. From teh police perspective, there is no criminal act here....the girls are minors, so to bring charges and have them serve community service, at best, why spend money on that? The negative press is much worse at this point than any community service they may have to do.

Having a step daughter with CP, I understand the bullying that goes on in schools, although, thank god, she was never subjected to this type of bullying. You don't whine to the school about it because they will not do anything and you are making your childs life harder. The police will not do anything because of the age of the children involved. So what is there to do?

But there is a simple answer to all of this nonsense. First, you go to the parents of the children involved. If they take care of the issue, than so be it. For those that deem this a non-issue, you turn up the heat on them and their child. There are a couple of old sayings...."An eye for an eye" and "I did not start the fight, but I will finish it". I am a firm believer in never starting a brawl, fight, or war. However, what these girls did is ridiculous, and if you truly want to make them understand what they did, and how it made your child feel, you do it right back. You don't threaten death, that is over the top, but you embarass them and make it hard on their parents. If the child is involved in other clubs, you contact the paretns of those clubs and tell them what happened. If the parents of the girls have a business, you boycott it. Simple and too the point. It may seem mean, but you know what, it will work. I have seen first hand myself. They will cry mercy long before you do.

So once again humans shouldn't make mistakes, do dumb things, or things that aren't "socially acceptable". If they do, they should be "punnished".

ESPECIALLY the children.

I'm tired of this.

Let me leave you folks with a bit of clarity in this world you live in so your hearts wont be broken too badly when reality actually takes part in your fairy tale existance.

Bad things will happen. Unfair things will happen. Tragic things will happen. You cannot stop these things. You SHOULD not punnish others because one or two can't handel the things we've ALL lived through. "Bullying" only works if your child doesn't have the self esteam to stand on their own two feet.

Maybe if you'd stop treating your children as porcilin figures they might be strong enough to shrug off name simple calling and taunts.

For gods sake get a grip.

Adam - There is a difference between bullying and threating a life. Listing "Six Ways to Kill Piper" is a threat to her life and should not be taken lightly. I'm not saying these girls should go to jail but they should not walk away with a slap on their wrist. They should be forced to go to counseling, do some community service and there should be a record of this with the courts.

I am a mother whose daughter was bullied also and our school never does anything to the bullies. They tell my children to ignore them. Schools claim to have zero tolerance for things such as this, but they don't. The principle at my daughter's school stated there were 800 children in the school and he couldn't keep up with all there problems. The only problems I see is the problem with the teachers and principles they hire to watch over and protect our children. They are a joke.

How ugly. But why is this a matter for the school administration? Did they use school computers to post the video? The schools should be busy educating our children, not policing what they do on their own time, on their own computers. The issue is with the children and their parents.
We need to stop foisting off parental responsibility onto the schools.

Threatening physical harm to this degree should be a crime, if it isn't already. Parents, check out peoplesdirt.com if you want to see some really horrible student to student behavior. The level of cyber bullying is appalling and all too common.

first of all its not a school problem its a home problem. Schools are in the business of educating students . Yes the girls should be punished, but that should be worked out between the parents. Unfortunately the party at fault still has rights in this country too, weather they are right or wrong. There is also two sides to a story, and i bet that the so called innocent party had choice words with those girls, and was pickin at them as well, but didnt tell her parents the exact truth of why these girls dont like her. Any body that has kids will tell you, your child will tell you exactly what you want to hear to keep from getting put in the doghouse. the problem comes that some people believe every thing their child tells them even if its a lie. Iam just tired of parents thinking everytime something goes wrong let the school fix it. fix it yourself or give the child to someone who can parent. Iam a single parent who has raised two boys in a low income neighborhood. I ruled my house with an iron fist, mixed wth religion I paid the bills, what I said was the law. Ive never had a problem with my boys. They were picked on just like everybody else in school. But i handled my business , not the school, cause it wasnt a school problem. My boys are smart enough to know right from wrong and would have just looked at the video and laughed. . Its called old fashion home trainning. Like i said i sure she was picking at them too, but of course didnt tell her parents about that part. She just didnt make a video. Train up a child the way he should go do dont have to worrry about it. My boys were taught early on to over look ignorance and ignorant people. if someone is not helping you up, then you need to go move on and go on about your business. If these girls were so bad, why was she still trying to friends with them and fit it. Her parents obviously have not taught her to find new friends an let stupid people be stupid. But oh well like i said thats a home problem.

rt, Beth did go to the parents directly who blew her off. She went to the school because Piper was afraid. Keep it up Beth, the more pressure you put on the school and the Sherrif's department, the better for Piper.
Right now, they are both looking really bad.

Just a couple points here...

First... teachers teach... hence where the name comes from. Asking teachers to play law enforcement takes away from our students. And our education system (and children today) need all the education from the teachers they can get. If teachers spend all their time "policing" students, who's doing the teaching? That said, along with teaching is the safe learning environment of the student. That means the teachers bear some responsibility to ensure bullying does not take place in their classroom, or on their watch if they are watching the kids at recess/lunch. But stop blaming the teachers for bad kids!!! I have not seen the video. Was the video in question taken at the school? If it was, then some questions need to be asked there... if not, that's where it ends for teachers.

Parents bring children into the world. They are responsible for those children and should be subsequently responsible for their actions (along with the personal responsibility of the children). So, to absolve the parents of any responsibility is sophmoric in mentality. I think law enforcement should be after the parents as much as the children. Not so much to throw them in jail, but give parents and children community service... in something RELATED to the offense. Make them do community service at a home for battered spouses/children. Make them do community service in a project for bullied children. Etc.

It's simple... teachers teach... parents parent... where did we get this all screwed up?

How was it that these young girls found the time and tools to create such a video without their parents knowing? In this case, it would seem the PARENTS should be held accountable for their lack of attention to THEIR children. Perhaps Child Services should initiate an investigation as to how these parents are overseeing the welfare of their children. In this case, it would seem the PARENTS are far more concerned with their own lives than they are with providing adequate and socially acceptable examples of behavior for the respect of others. I've long been an advocate for parents being mandated to perform half of any punishment a child receives in these types of cases. If both parents had to be expelled from work for a week or perform 40 hours of community service, I'll bet those little darlings would never consider doing this again.

Not sure I see how she is bullied if she didn't even know the existence of the web site and the girls apologized. This is a simple prank. I'd be leary of making any more of this. 11 year old girls don't typically kill each other. As with anything, you have to use common sense in dealing with children. You tell them what is wrong and not to do it again.

It is outrageous that the school district and the police dept. have not taken this seriously, simply because it is eleven year old girls. They and their parents need to be held reponsible for their actions. We cannot allow 1930's bravodo "it happens on the playground everyday" to continue. This must be called on the carpet for what it is–harrassment and voilent threats, no matter how old they are. They need to be prosecuted, and the parents must be made to pay restitution. I think some picking up of trash on Saturdays for the next year might be good for them, their parents, and the community as well. Make them an example of prosecution, just like they wanted to make her an example of persecution.

I agree completely with Adams comment. Why doesthis reporter not talk about the parenting? This is a matter that needs to be handled and disciplined by the students parents. Attempting to take further action and even legal prosecution poses a greater threat to the internet community. What I mean by this is that trying to create a "cyber-bulllying" law is a form of civil rights infringement and nowadays the only form of true free media exists only in the internet. Creating such laws could help the New World Order to manipulate the information that streams on the web. Take this story for example, do you hear anything from the other opposing party? Are they available to present their side of the story and disciplinary actions taken from the students at fault? NO YOU DONT! This is a perfect example of Bias information from a owned network like CNN to try to manipulate thinking in favor of this cyberbullying laws that the Obama administration is trying to enforce. Dont get caught up in all the hype! Its unfortunate for this to happen but once cyberbullying laws are imposed, it affects the rest of the internet community.

In response to simply to "Simply Anonymous"

Do you want the schools to be able to dictate what happens inside of your home? By no means am I excusing this behavior. I cannot stand the way some children treat other people. I have been cursed at and sexually harassed by students. Teachers in my building have been beaten by students, I have had valuables stolen and I continue to go to work every day and do everything in my power to protect and education every student I encounter.

My point is that the school cannot dictate, police or punish behavior that does not occur on school grounds. Between providing breakfast, lunch, before and after school care, health screenings and such, it may seem like the schools are always responsible for the students, but sometimes the parents actually have a job to do. Most do their jobs, some don't.

For the record a colleague had a very similar video made about her and we were all frightened, but the school did not even have the authority to make the girls take the video down. The student could not be banned from school activities because she did everything at home with no school equipment. Thankfully, when notified the parents did the right thing.

THEY BROKE THE LAW! At least in nineteen states (I don't know if in yours) threatening someone's life through email or any electronic media is considered a form of terrorism, as well it should be. Whether they were joking or not, they provided information on how to kill Piper, they encouraged it. If, say . . . some kid who had a crush on one of those terrorizing (by definition) little girls and decided to carry ouit their encouragements, would you consider them responsible in some way?

Those girls should be disciplined and the owner of the computer[s] it was created on should be exposed and possibly brought to law also.

If that were my child and someone did that to her, I would be breaking down the door of their parents house. I do not think you are overreacting. Kids now days are killing kids. It is a big concern. I would not stop until something was done.

I was teased and bullied for many years in grade school and middle school. I attended a private school, and because the parents of the kids who were doing it had lots of money to throw around, very little was ever done about it. Some of my teachers did the best they could, but with the school administration doing *nothing*, there was a limit to how far they could actually go. High school was better, but even then there were a few situations. Threatening e-mails and comments, mostly. Nothing was ever done about them. This was back in 1998. And all of the stuff I'm talking about actually happened on school grounds, or using school computers.

There's not much a school can do, however, when the situation doesn't happen directly at school. If these students all got together and made the video at someone's house, outside of school hours and not using school equipment, it's not really a school issue. Only things that happen directly on school grounds should be considered as such, otherwise we cross a very dangerous line. Just because all the students doing this attend the same school doesn't mean the school has the right to punish them for it. Maybe I'm just one of these parents who was on the very edge of the Columbine-line (it happened a month before I graduated high school) who just don't "get" the zero-tolerance and nanny-state policies being put into place in the schools.

All threats made at a school and/or against a school should be taken very seriously by the administration. But things that happen outside the school should not be dealt with by the school directly. It's a waste of already stretched budgets and time. Threats that happen outside of school should be dealt with by law enforcement or juvenile courts. If they have to get involved in the school to make sure the student is properly protected in the event of a credible threat, then that's the point at which the school should become involved. Maybe I've just never worked for any place like this, but if I have a job, and one of my co-workers e-mails me and harasses me outside of work, he/she cannot be punished by the employer, right?

Where do we draw the line? That's what it boils down to. I'll ultimately choose to have a bit more freedom rather than have draconian laws that schools can impose. If my child gets into a fight in the neighborhood with another child from school, that should be between me, the children, and the other child's parents. I wouldn't want the school involved at all.

So while I sympathize with the parents and the girl in this situation, I also have to ask this. Let's say that the group of girls who made this video were *not* classmates of your daughter. What if they were simply other kids in the neighborhood and they all attended different schools? How would you handle it then? Once you can answer that question, you have the answer to how you should be handling this one.

To people saying this is happening because the Bible is being taken out of schools...please. I attended Catholic schools up until college, and the bullying problems were rampant there, where we had religion classes daily. That's just one of the many reasons I now consider myself an agnostic. Too many people involved in organized religion are self-righteous hypocrites.

I was bullied in school and at a relatives house throughout by childhood and I can say that bullying does shape the victims personality. That was 35 years ago but to this day, I don't like people. They are mean, coldhearted pos. I would rather have a dog as a friend than a person anyday. Some people seem to think that "sucking it up" means the problem and it's end result will just simply go away. It doesn't. I let things go for a while until I reached a breaking point and started fighting in school. I never got into fights at school until I was bullied. Kids will remember the bullying for life and will take it out on others eventually one way or another.

I agree with what James said. If this would have been posted by an adult, in the comfort of their own home, stating ways they wanted to kill someone they knew from work, a school they went to, or a child, they would be arrested and reprimanded right away.
I am not saying these kids deserve to be in jail, but I used to be 11 years old not too long ago, and I knew that any sort of threats were wrong. I have an 8 year old that knows these type of things are wrong. I think the children who posted the video should be dealt with, if not by the school, then be forced to go to some sort of therapy or counseling, and moved to another class. Piper should not have to go to school every day in fear of these children. Stay strong Piper, as you can see, you have many supporters behind you!!

One piece of advise to the victim. Create a blog state details of the incidents then relese the photos and addresses of the perpetrators along with phone numbers and see how the mean world takes care of these bullies lets see how these bullies fare when faced with some really mean people.

This is normal and there is nothing outrageous about this it will teach Piper to be stronger and not care what people think of her. Love yourself that's all that matters.

It all starts at home....if a parent is a respectful member of society, the children will be too. I know that kids can slip and do make mistakes, but then the parent needs to truly discipline the child, and mean it. Take me to court for spanking my kids when they were little...I would do it all over again. They have turned out to be wonderful assets to society and moral beings. These kids that made the video need to be punished in some sort to set an example. School suspension, community service and counseling just to start it out.

I believe there was no real threat. Its funny how when i was growing up stuff like this always happened, but everyone grew out of it and is fine now. I believe this mom is over reacting, if she was that worried she could switch schools or home school her kid.

bullies are like pimples. POP them hard enough and they go away.

It is absurd to say that this was a harmless prank!

There was a little girl in my hometown that was in a very similar situation that ended up committing suicide because she became so depressed about the bullies at her school. “Pranks” such as this can really destroy a child’s innocence and ruin their lives.

These little girls new exactly what they were doing and the humiliation a video like this would bring to their classmate. They deserve to be expelled and they need to go to counseling to figure out why they are so self-conscious about themselves to do this to another person.

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case in which school administrators had a 13-year-old girl STRIP-SEARCHED down to, and then INTO, her underwear, in an attempt to find IBUPROFEN!! And these people claim they can't check backpacks for weapons? Administrators get carried away with their petty power, and will use the appearance of legality to get away with ANYTHING, unless they are actually held accountable.

To Adam are you kidding me a waste of tax payers money. The children as well as the parents should be punished especially the parents for bringing up obnoxious children, they should both have to go to counciling so the children can learn how to act like respectable human beings and the parents should have to take parenting classes, to help them. The problem is the parents don't want to see what they children are really like, and the school doesn't want to get involved, because it will make their school look bad. Bullying is a very serious matter, this is something that will scar children for the rest of there lives, this can lead to trust and self esteem issues..

Things to think about. If it were your son or daughter being bullied, would it be okay?

If it were your son or daughter cutting themselves, hating themselves, hurting themselves as a direct result of bullying, would it be okay?

How would you feel if you had to pick out clothes to bury your child in because they couldn't take being bullied, so they ended their lives?

It sounds so wired, and out of control, but kids are suffering at the hands of other kids, and it's wrong. Some might say, "stop crying about it" this has gone on for years, but that's the problem it's gone on for years.

Some would say, "what law has been broken", but what about moral law, the law inside your heart that says, "treat people with respect, you don't have to like everyone, but you need to respect them".

Don't take this lightly... It speaks volumes about where we are as a society and a nation.

My son was bullied for years at his private elementary school. The teachers and Administration made him feel like he was to blame even though he was the victim. One of the teachers was one of the bullies and they only moved him from her class. These were not poorly paid, overworked teachers yet they didn't want to do the hard work that is necessary to protect all children. The teachers know what is going on most of the time and just hope they can make it to the end of the school year, promote the student and let it become the problem of the next teacher. Hang in there Piper and keep fighting for her Mom!

Quick reply to some of the other comments:

The school has every right to search bags and lockers of students. Anything they bring into the school is fair game. It's a legal concept called "in loco parentis," that lets the school act "in the best interest" of the students.

This usually amounts to students having almost zero civil rights (tangent: journalism classes and student newspapers being taught about free press and censore by the administration... go figure) and the schools able to do as they please, or need to.

Also, in this age of "zero tolerance" you'd think the school would react more strongly to an expressly worded statement on not only the desire, but the methods, of murdering another student. Students are suspended and expelled on a regular basis for threats or statements much less specific and much less inflammatory.

You bet there'd be a federal indictment for any 11-yo child who would have posted "10 best ways to bomb the school." Why is it not a criminal charge to list the 10 best ways to murder another student?

My understanding are that death threats using telecommunications medium like the Internet are terrorist acts and punishable as such. You also could seek a restraining order. But with the offenders being eleven, and this apparently being a prank, it is problematic. Was the video removed from the Internet?

How about this Piper. Go into class the next day and punch someone in the mouth. Thats how you handle a bully. I was bullied for about a year in high school until I knocked someone out. This is the problem. America is becoming cowardly. Anyone saying sue, press charges, or mandatory therapy needs to understand that one good punch in the face asserts dominance and thus keeps bullies at bay.

Maybe Piper should take self-defense and stop crying like a baby. Life is even rougher then school. Sensitivity training is for cowards. Learn to fight back and you take away a bullies power.

I feel awful for this girl and her mom, but the real perps here are the parents of these girls. Schools can get involved as a secondary measure, but we have an epidemic of moron parents out there and schools can't stop that, nor should they.

What were kids this age doing on the internet – unsupervised – to begin with?

Pretty soon we're going to have toddler cyberbullies and I'm only half joking.

C'mon, parents out there – wake up. If you're not going to nurture, train, guide and discipline your kids, do the world a favor and don't have them.

I'm guessing that, ultimately, Piper will be fine. She's a gorgeous, well spoken kid. Those others? Not so much.

The most significant quote in this article:

"Parents don’t know what to do. We go to work every day."

Therein lies the answer – 1 parent NEEDS to be home with their kids after school, every day. Until somewhere around the age of 16-18, kids really need a parent home with them.

Teachers are there to teach, not make sure your kid's feelings aren't hurt by "two faced friends". So, they made a mean video that hurt her feelings. Deal with it. People in life are two faced. The sooner kids learn this, the better. So, the police didn't open a full investigation into a silly video made by 11 year olds. I'm sure they have nothing better to do that prevent girls from being catty to each other. This whole "cyber bullying" thing is ridiculous.

If they are bullying her to her face at school, that is one matter. I don't see how it is the school's responsibility to monitor the entire internet and private cell phones and emails so kids aren't bullied.

Bullying has been around forever, since time began. Just because you stick a "cyber" in front of it doesn't make it new. It is up to the parents to teach their kids how to deal with bullying. If you can't do that, you've failed as a parent. They will be bullied out in the real world and there will be no principal to run to as an adult.

While being mean may not be against the law, threats to someone's life IS. These juvenile delinquents should be charged, not just slapped on the wrist. They have made a credible threat against someones life and publicly posted it. My prayers are for Piper and the rest of our children that have to put up with the bullies and the threats of violence. Schools and Police Departments that just give a slap on the wrist are telling these kids that they shouldnt do this, but we arent going to do anything to you for it. What kind of message is this? Piper, I recommend classes in self defense. Pick what you want, be it karate, jiu jitsu, kick boxing MMA or whatever. Just remember not to become one of THEM and use it for DEFENSE.

What we creating a nation of snivellers?? Grow a backbone!! First if you don't like what's on the net....DON"T WATCH IT !!!! Second what ever happend to sticks and stones...talk is cheap! The mother only makes things worse because of her own securities...I bet she's a single mother...that creates problems on its own with children's self esteem...the fact is the child is suffering for the lack of proper nurturing which builds self esteem....look in the mirror mom

My 15 year old son was a recent victim of cyber bullying. Fortunately, he spoke up and we were able to take action quickly. I advise anyone in this type of situation to act quickly and document everything. Print screens or any abuse you fine online. Keep track of phone calls and who you talk to. Let them know this is a serious matter and do not stop until the appropriate action has been taken. Our high school took this seriously and so did the parents of the girl who put the abusive things online. My son's bully offered to print a retraction and apology. Just be aware that this may not be in the best interest of the victim as it just keeps the issue at the forefront and provides the kids at school with more to gossip about. We need law reform, especially with all the new technology we have access to.

Typical of bad teachers who just dont care about your kids. Anyone with half a brain can teach these kids to get along, reward and punish, teach them how get along in the world and get involved in and participate in the right things so there is no time for the wrong things. I agree part of problem is parents among many other problems through out society today, but it takes teachers with real talent to overcome the other bad influences these kids are surround by these days, but unfortunately there is a serious lack of talent in most schools. Seems like the school violence would wake them up, guess thats tells you much they don't care and just plain clueless.

The incident described at the beginning of this article is NOT cyber-bullying so much as it is a death threat.

I was bullied every day as a kid. I lashed out at the boys and one day I had a pencil in my hands. I warned them to leave me a lone that I would strike out but they circled in closer, so I stabbed one of the boys in the hand. I was sent to a school for the emotionally disturbed. Those boys? My husband knew one from work and one day he tells my husband "your wife bit me." I told my husband to tell him if I bit him, he deserved it. If you are victimized and refuse to be victimized, you are victimized again by the system. We're so messed up. Those boys? Most have gone to prison for dealing drugs. Amazing.

Good for you Beth for standing up for your daughter and not letting this one "go away". At the least, the girls responsible should be suspended from school for a few days and made to write a letter of apology to Piper. I suppose the parents of the others girls should ask themselves how they would feel if it was their child and not Piper. Finally, someone needs to ask, what was the motivation behind this horrible act?

I think the worst part of it all is that the victims are treated like there's something wrong with THEM, and not the vicious animals who just can't leave them be. I remember being harassed on a daily basis in front of the teachers, and nothing was ever done about those girls. I was told to "not let them bother me". Yet all I had to do one day was call one of them a "b*tch" and I was yelled at to watch my language and that if I said it again I'd get detention. Lovely.

So many things to deal with here. Bullying, to sue or not to sue, to take action against the school, to take action against the sheriffs dept, to take action against the other parents, etc.

First, like some have already said, you can't go after the school. The video editing and uploading happened after school in the other girl's homes. All you can do is ask that they (the school) be aware of what has happened and that you find that there may be a threat to your daughter from these kids. And I think after all that has happened thus far, the school is definitely aware and will be keeping a close eye on all participants for quite some time to come.

Second, the fact that the Sheriffs Det. assigned to the case wrote it off with out evening viewing the video only proves that he is incompetent and can't be trusted to do his job with due diligence. What would you have done if he had watched the video and he determined, after speaking with each of the girls involved, that there wasn't a threat? What then?

Third, to sue or not to sue. The only people you can sue, that I can see, are the other parents. Would you win? It's a toss up. If you lost, then it would only cost them money for lawyers. But, it would also cost you money for lawyers. The only winners in a case like this would be the lawyers and I bet there are several salivating out of their shark-like mouths out there at the chance to be a part of this fiasco.

My advice isn't worth much. Just a couple of cents actually. But it is simple. Piper is the perfect age to learn self defense techniques. She is also at the perfect age to learn to choose her friends more wisely. If she walks back into that school like she is confident in herself with her head held high and not like a victim, good people will gravitate towards her. Of course, if she walks back in with her head down like a victim, then she might as well paint a big target on her back.

Parents must be advocates for their children. Don't apologize for making a big deal out of individuals abusing your child, be it an adult or a child. Recently, in the news two young boys committed suicide after being bullied at school. Always stand up for your child. Always !

Everything Piper says here is a repeat of what the mom says, and not language used by an 11 year old girl. On one hand, yes bullying is a problem, but these girls were caught, and reprimanded. They are 11. If this was an ongoing problem then yes, bring the police in, get the courts involved, if this is not and the 11 year olds just needed a wake up call about how their actions affect others I think they got it.

I feel for Piper and her family to have had this happen to them, but I am also disturbed by the many assumptions that offenders' of this nature parents are horrible people and that their kids are just like them. Kids do stupid things, and even the best parents can't beat the odds on that. Peer pressure is mighty beast! Most of us parents would never imagine our well brought up kids doing such a horrible thing to another person, so we don't outright tell them never do such a horrible thing until an example like this SHOULD remind us ALL to tell our kids this is very very wrong. How many of you bashing the parents on this blog have taken the time to discuss this incident with your own kids and explain what is so wrong about it? For the 90% of replies to this that lie and say they have, follow up on your own denial and DO IT!

My son was bullied throughout middle school. He saw the school nurse many times for cuts, bruises, and once for being choked, but I was never notified. The first time I went to the principal with a name, I was told "that's the first time anyone ever complained about that kid." (As if that somehow negated the complaint!) I was told it would be handled "very discreetly" and then found out that meant my son was taken out of class at various times to see the counselor about how to handle the bullies. I put a stop to that and threatened to take out a protection order against the bullies, one of whom happened to be the guidance counselor's son. The school's answer was to hold a school wide bully seminar which didn't say much beyond how to identify a bully. My son came home with the sheet of paper with names next to all the definitions and said to me "it's much worse than I thought." Together we went back to the principal and asked what the follow up was. They didn't have one. The bullying ended when all the kids went to high school and the bullies found they were small fish in a big pond.

Some things can't be dismissed as "kids being kids" or "kids being mean." There's no excuse – NONE – for bullying.

Did the kids involved use school resources to initiate the threats? Is it really the job of the educational system to do the job of law enforcement. Schools take the blame for so many things and that are outside their control. I think this is a deplorable incident and agree those responsible should be punished. But don't blame the school administrators they responded with in their mandate. The parents and law enforcement need to bring these kids together to resolve their issues, but let the school do their job of education not counceling center.

The parents of these students should make their children write letters of apology to the victim. Hopefully these parents will make them accountable for their actions. The school should take those girls and separate all of them.

This is really upsetting. last year my stepson put something innappropriate on his facebook account about one of his classmates and he made some threatening remarks to her at school. The girl's mother called the school who suggested that they called the police. The detectives took the issue VERY seriously, came to our house, told us what had happened and took our stepson aside and had him turn on his laptop and erase his Facebook account. The girl's mother ended up NOT pressing charges but told us that she would, if our stepson ever approached her daughter at school. We took our stepson's computer away, sent him to therapy and the following year sent him to a different school. he ended up realizing that what he did was wrong and never did it again. As parents we had no idea that this was happening, but when we found out we took immediate steps to let our child know that this was absolutely innacceptable. What helped is that the police made quite an impression on him and took the issue seriously. it is NEVER okay to bully someone or make death threats either online, vague, or face to face. if the bully's parents and the authorities do not take a strong stand against those actions, it tells the child that what he did was not a big deal. And he or she will do it again and again... until the consequences are fatal.

Krista, private apologies don't work in a public setting such as this. if you want to show how horrified the school was to discover this behavior, go public, say how very sorry the school is this happened, explain the punishment and urge the parents to do the same.
You won't because the school has no back bone. And quit saying this happened three weeks ago. So what.

I'm not falling for it. This girl and her mother come off as EXTREMELY stuck-up to me. For all we know, SHE could have been making the other girls' lives hell. Maybe she just wasn't clever enough to make a video about THEM! I'm not saying that what those other girls did was right, but maybe the media should go ask them why they did that before they continue to make Piper look like the helpless victim.

I really just can't help but to think that Piper is the evil one here. You know that father who was too busy cooking dinner?? Maybe his daughter complained about Piper a lot, so the father knew what was really going on. Then, of course, why would he bother talking to Piper's [equally stuck-up] mother?

I think we need a new law that covers this entire country as far as bullying is concerned. The parents are supposed to teach their kids to be nice and civil to one another and if they do not succeed and the kid bullys someone then the kid and one parent can go to jail for one week and remininsce over what they should do about this in the future.If this does not help then the parent will have to pay a $5,000.00 fine of which part of the money goes to pay for their jail stay and part goes to the victim. It is time to get tough on the bullys and their parents. This is not acceptible behavior. If you let them be bullies many will be future criminals as well since they did not learn any better. Do we want this? NONONO say no to bullying Now!!!

Adam,

You're an idiot who obviously doesn't have kids! Is bullying illegal – no. Is making threats of physical harm or death illegal – YES!!!!!!! Ideally these parents should take care of the situation but today's parents go right to the "My kid wouldn't do that" defense and only learn to deal with these problems when cops get involved. These parents will be the first ones screaming lawsuit if a video like that was made about their little darlings. Nip this in the bud and make it public so other little snots learn not to pull the same thing.

I WAS THIS GIRL. I was the one who was outwardly bullied. Kicked by boys on the way to school. Alienated by girls. And there was an "I hate Gina" list passed around to my classmates to sign.

Bullying is not a joke. Imagine how you would feel, as a 12-year-old girl, if your "good friend" did this to you? What if the entire school was looking online at this YouTube.com video about how to kill you?? Think you would feel alienated, sad, anxious, depressed?

Parents who allow this type of behavior from their kids are the ones who bullied in the past. It's called a LACK OF COMPASSION and CONSCIENCE.

Jim: the 'sticks and stones' crud DOES NOT WORK. Get over that. My father used to tell me to say 'sticks and stones' when I as a little 5 year old girl was being beat up by older boys and tormented daily. Give me a break. The teachers wouldn't help and even told me to quiet down when I was on the sidewalk bloody crying (6 years old at the time) and shut their classroom doors so they didn't have to hear me crying.

Want to know WHY these kids picked on me? Because I was a Jew. This was in Sacramento California in the early 1970s. My parents ignored or didn't believe me, and the boys' parents saw nothing wrong with three boys knocking a small child off her tricycle and punching her, or pinching my infant sister in the stomach until she had huge black bruises. We were one of only two Jewish families in our neighborhood at the time and for some reason, the people there were very anti-semetic. We moved back to Illinois when I was 9.

Oh, and hey lady, if you have such a problem with sending your precious Piper back to school-- RELOCATE~!!! I'm sure there is more than just that one school in your area. It doesn't look like Piper would be missed since she clearly has more enemies than friends.

Children have become much crueler than 20 years ago – and the parents are to blame. Adolescence is hard enough – add the internet and the gang mentality – it' s beyond cruel. It is not about sucking it up and fighting back because more Columbines will happen. Of course maybe that's what needs to happen so school officials and parents address the real issues instead of creating numerous rules.

I'm guessing that some of the commeters haven't read the story. These kids made a video about how to KILL her. This is a lot more than being mean, this is scary.
Perhaps these same commenters suggest we ignore the next video on YouTube made by some angry teen that says he's going to kill his classmates.
That "head in the sand" approach would certainly not have spared untold number of lives at a school Britain last month (police were called and kid was stopped just outside the school with machetes and gas can.), or a couple of months ago in Florida.
Hey, maybe we should just all pretend that terrorists are just mean people and their threats are harmless

Freedom of speech is paramount. Your daughter is in no more danger than she was the day before the video was made.

Congragulations on getting your dramatic over-reaction publicized. I have a feeling it may bring more heat down on your daughter.

OMG Beth and Piper, my support is here for you both...I am in spanaway as well, have a 16yr old, dread that my 4yr old still has yet to experience the glory of school day taunts etc...tell your Piper to keep her head up and do her best to show how strong she can be...best revenge is to show that her life will indeed go on and she will be a valuable member to society, we know the other girls have more of a challenge in that department..if they are doing these things at this young age...well, the road is laid out to what type of friends they are...hopefully thier other friends are reconsidering who they hang out with.

Of course the Cops don't see this as bullying! The Cops were all bullies in high school themselves and spent all their time bullying and being cool. So they couldn't get a decent job (no education) so now their cops. And cops have lots of fun bullying everyone, what a job!

I am a teacher at a high school and I can say that I see my share of bullying. However, unless it is done on school grounds or during a school function, it is not the schools or the teachers fault. The only thing they can do is monitor the situation and make sure thr girls are not in the same classes. Even that is more than a school has to do. Stop putting computers in childrens bedrooms. Start doing family activites so that time is spend doing something that is constructive and positive. The responsibility is on the parents not the school. Go ahead and sue the schools...it just means that your taxes will go up next year for the lawyer fees.

I have worked in high schools, and currently work in higher education at a major teaching university in New York state. I come into direct contact with future teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators, on a daily basis. Most (not all) teachers go into education because of long summer vacations, and because schools are all they know. They went to elementary, middle school, high school, college and now right back into them again as a teacher. Unfortunately schools are filled with teachers who never had the imagination or wherewithal to do anything, let alone tackle difficult situations like this story.

Why are they demanding that the school district take action? Was this video made at school? Was it posted online at school? Was it made using school video equipment? The PARENTS of the other children are responsible for taking action. The school is responsible for educating children on topics like reading, writing and arithmetic. Putting schools in charge of every aspect of a child's life and upbringing is undermining their efforts to educate. No wonder are children are illiterate.

I have a wonderful solution. Allow Piper to beat the heck out of those kids without repurcussion. The school district should look the other way as Piper and her friends show these kids why bullying is wrong. I'm teaching my son to punch any kid that makes fun of him after the third time. First time tell a teacher, second time tell a parent, third time tell a principal. After that he is free to beat up whomever it is and I will not punish him. In fact I plan on taking him to whatever his favorite place is for dinner for successfully sticking up for himself when no could or would do anything to stop this behaviour.

We here a lot in the media about shootings going on in schools. most of the time their are clear signs that are not identified that could have saved those kids lives. This video is a threat. It clearly illustrates killing in many ways. if this isn't a sign then we are in trouble. Those kids should be treated like any kid bringing a weapon to school. If they are not when will they after someone is dead and they look back at this video.

SUE 'em! Nothing a like a civil lawsuit to bring these miscreants and their parents into the public's eye. A few hundred thou should get their attention.

Don't be such a pansy. Free speech is WAY more important than your feelings. Find some new friends. Maybe your mom shouldn't have named you Piper.

I think a civil suit against the families would be in order, and the
children involved would pay and pay through each proceeding by
seeing their parents suffer the consequences of their actions.
I'm serious. It's doable. Go for it. If there ever was a case, this
would surely be one, in my humble opinion.

Where are the parents of the girls who did this... make them face the reality of what type of child they are raising. I truly feel that this world have become to easy for these kids with the technology we have today. They have too much freedom and parents are not watching exactly what their children are doing. Get rid of the their computers and cell phones and ipods. Teach them the correct lessons and make them actually work for the privledges to use these items.

I also think it might be a good idea to start some organization that helps with stopping this bulling throuhout the country. We have Mad(Moms against Drunk drivers). Parents who have children that are victims need to unite and meet and brainstorm someway to stop this. The bigger the group the better. The school needs to be brought in as well and held constantky accountable for what they are suoppose to provide. Maybe there should be a rehab for bullies where they get intensive treatment for their neurological sickness. The school psycho;ogist should follow up with these kids and the parents at least once a month to make sure their attitude has changed. The schools should tell their students to report any act of bullying they see anonymously. then an investigation will occur and the bully will be kept under a microscope. If these bullies want attention lets give it to them. Make the bully feel they will get attention but the type they will hate when they get labeled bully

Yes... these kids making this video is horrible and I would hate for my younger brother and sister to fall victim of anything like this. BUT... this is not on the same level as the kids who have been beaten by their classmates on video. Maybe the sheriff and detective don't care because they have more important juvenile cases to deal with like child abuse, rape, kidnapping, and murder.

Your kid was bullied via video... be thankful that was all!

Document everything you that you send to the school or teachers and copy the district. Use hard copies (paper) and emails, leave as much of a paper trail as possible. That will get the notice of school and the district to react because then they will know of their potential iiability.

If this were an adult making a video like that they would be charged with Conspiricy to commit murder which is exactly what it is. All these parents and kids that are not being confronted or punished for this must have something juicy on the school officals and law enforcement communtiy.
Vee, so harm comes to a child on school property after a know death treat was made and the school did nothing to protect the threatened child. Is that still not the schools problem and responsibility. DUH!!!

I can see why this grl gor bullied, with a mother like that the girl clearly has issues. Totally handling this situation all wrond by going to the media. The girl is like 11, no kid is going to want to be friends with a taddle tale and her psycho mom.

1. lodge a complaint with the hosting site, was it myspace? And have it flagged as inappropriate content. Do what you can to get the user accounts locked.
2. I have to feel for the little girl. Her mother has blown this way-up, and now this poor girl will have to put up with the harassment for the rest of her time in school. Mom, shut up!
3. This appears to be (however weak) a possible threat to murder. Bring that up to the state attny. general. If you get nowhere, then go to the papers.
4. Don't waste your time on the kids parents. They're obviously not going to discipline their little brats. Perhaps some good legal "threats" would put the fear in the parents.
5. Finally, complain to the ISP that hosts the girls accounts and get their internet access pulled because of threats.

Jeff it is the parents fault, even if the kids are being influenced by other kids. It is up to parents to make sure that their kids aren't weak enough to succumb to social pressures from other kids. Parents get away with blaming the influences of other kids for why their kids decided to become a part of bullying. If you raised your kids right from the beginning then they would never want to become a part of something that was meant to only hurt someone else and make yourself and your friends feel better. You better believe if i had been a part of such bullying and my parents found out there would have been long term consequences. But, my parents raised me right from the beginning, so I would never feel the need to boost my own feeling of adequacy by acting out in such an evil fashion.

Adam,

Change the scenario to adults and try to keep the same mindset. You would be punished whether by a harrassment lawsuit or by law enforcement. It IS harrassment – just because it's kids, doesn't make it right.

"Meanness" like this should have some ramifications from law enforcement if necessary. Especially if the school won't do anything.

This is insane! Children have been picked on in school for hundreds of years. Parents need to stay out of their children's affairs. The girls who made this video did not physically attack Piper. She needs to suck it up just like everyone else had to. It will not be the last time that someone makes fun of her. I was a little girl once! We are mean, we stab each other in the back, we talk behind friends backs. Its part of being a little girl! I can't even believe that this made it to CNN!

Beth and Piper, I wish you the best ... this is a horrible situation in which to deal with.

The article talks about Beth, taking it first to the parents of these children... but the parents were too busy to take the time and learn what kind of monster is living in their home! And it was a natural reaction to take it to the school, as this is where the children interact, and if I saw a video that was called "6 ways to kill Piper", I'd be afraid of what COULD happen at the school. It would be necessary to inform them of this.

The Sherrifs dept is the one that should really be embarrassed about this publicity... they are the ones that definitely dropped the ball on this whole situation. Any threat – whether it was from an 11 year old girl, or a 32 year old man, should be taken seriously. Maybe not prosecuted, but this should be looked into. My initial response would have been to send an officer to the home, and have a chat with the parents, and child – explaining the seriousness of the situtation. SCARE the hatred out of them! This may have been a one time stupid trick, but they need to know that this kind of attitude won't be accepted in our society!
There's bullying at all school's but there's a point where it becomes extremely harmful, and threatening the life of a child is beyond that point! I hope this exposure will help others in the same situation

I know how to take care of the situation. If I was the father of the little girl I would just go beat the S H I T out of the other fathers for raising retarded children. AND YES it is the parents fault if they would quit smoking dope and watching OPRAH all day and instill discipline in their children this C R A P would not happen!

Why is this not considered communicating threats??? If my son, at school, threatens another child he is instantly suspended, so why does it matter where the threat took place? We live in small town NC but my kids schools have in school police and metal detectors. My oldest got in trouble for carrying a fingernail fileto school but these girls can threaten someone's life and get away with it? Something is wrong with that picture.

Its called being bullied. It happens to a lot of kids. It's been happening for hundreds of years in schools.

Lets all run to the news everytime our kid gets picked on in school. That wont backfire and lead to even more harassment...

My daughter is only 9 years old and in 3rd grade. She has been bullied by 2 girls her own age and 1 girl older. I contacted the school, not once have the parents contacted me in any way to say they are sorry.
You go after them for all the other little girls that have been bullied. I will help in anyway I can. I have saved this for my daughter to read, she isn't the only one that this has happened to.
I feel that the children and parents are both resp. Both should be punished. The parents for teaching them that it is okay to bully and the children for doing it.

I cannot believe how many have posted here with words to the effect that "no law was broken...". I hate to bring realism into the equation but making threats against another person, particularly death threats, is not only a crime, but it is a rather serious crime. Obviously, as juveniles, they are not subject to the same punishment that an adult, but they absolutely need to be charged, tried and adjudicated in the juvenile court system. Their record will NOT follow them into adulthood, but it will allow them to be punished, and, more importantly, allow authorities to monitor these individuals more closely and make sure this situation does not repeat itself or, even worse, begin to escalate. Assuming the children who committed this crime (and again, I must emphasize in the strongest possible terms that THIS IS A CRIME!) learn from their mistake and do the right things going forward, this little incident will disappear from their records at 18 and will not "ruin their lives" in any way. On the other hand, if these little brats intend to continue on their self-destructive path, maybe a few years in a juvenile facility will scare them and their parents straight.

The school should have the children involved attend required counseling sessions – individually and together. The kids got the idea that such behavior is permissible from their parents who, it sounds like, tried to minimize the effect and potential danger in that video/slide show.

I think it's a shame to see this family in the position it is. What once was a beautiful, interesting, funny and amazing show which produced good memories of a growing family, has now resorted to a media-frenzy over the alleged infidelity of the two parents. Sadly, there can be no winners in this and even worse, the losers are those children. Kate needs help and Jon you can only do so much - but I respect you immensly for what you are being put through. The kids need you, hang in there buddy.

Please slap all those families with a lawsuit. It is the only way anyone will pay attention. You have to protect your daughter and it is obvious nobody will do that unless they are forced. They threatened your daughter's life and that is a major problem. It is not like they called her names or something. It is much bigger than that with kids these days. It makes me so angry so I can imagine what it does to you as a parent.

The world is not Disneyland. Unfortunately, some of us must come to that realization before others.–sorry, Piper... What they did was unfair & cruel–but typical of little girls lacking sufficient role models. Their parents should be severely ashamed! Until children are 18, parents are RESPONSIBLE for the consequences of their childrens' actions.

Empathy is apparently being bred out of humans. The offenders' parents don't have it, and subsequently, their little spawn lack it as well.

A just punishment would be: To have the offending girls post another video to the internet Identifying themselves, admitting each to her role in the hazing video, and apologizing sincerely for the harm they have caused Piper. They should close the apology video with the statement, "We are sorry that we lack the empathy to understand the consequences of our actions, but we promise to act like good human beings in the future."

Wouldn't that be nice...

Krista Carlson, Bethel School District,

Schools supposed to have ZERO tolerance about bulling. If you did
this should not have happened. Even if you did (on paper) you never
implemented it.

-Uttam

The problem with this girls statments are this. THEY ARE GOING AFTER THE SCHOOL WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CASE. I am so sick of parents blaming schools. Instead of taking legal action against the school (which cannot control what kids do outside of school) TAKE IT TO THEIR PARENTS. SUE THEM, not the school. I guarantee if it becomes a nuisance to the parents, those kids are going to be disciplined a lot harder. Unless this was made, and uploaded at school, I dont think they have any right to go after the school district. Sure, they are classmates, but people have to start taking action against the people doing this, not the schools.

When I in school, there was this girl who was constantly bullied by a group of boys. She ended up in therapy. What is strange is no one stood up for her, as a student I wanted to say something but couldn't. But more importantly, the teacher wouldn't say anything! Not only should the bullies be prosecuted, but the teacher should be held responsible for not protecting our kids. There needs to be a process put in place to handle bullying, specially when it is happening in front of you as students and teachers.

Really very simple. It does not matter if the parents were good or bad parents. Or whether they knew what their child was or was not doing.
Sure you can blame the bullies, who are indeed children. But you can also blame Bill Gates like some blame gun manufacturers. Ridiculous.

The parents are responsible for the children. They were suppossed to raise them properly to fit into society, not harm it. Bottom line, hit the parents where it will get their attention. If they are well off, hit their pocket books until it hurts. If they are not well off and proud, a couple of 100 hours doing community service with the orange suit on along the road works,. If they don't care about their child, take the child away because it's only going to get worse. Let's stop making excuses for the offenders and their parents. Life is tough enough but it's tougher if you're stupid!

Jim

I also agree with everyone who says that it is NOT the schools problem!!!! This did not occur at school and SCHOOL NEEDS TO STAY AT SCHOOL! This actually made me very angry! I still can't believe that this made it to CNN! There are so many other REAL problems that we need to worry about other than some little girls cat fight with some other girls at school!

"Thats a convient answer, blame the parents. Everyone likes to fall back on that.

The only problem is thats probably not the case. More and more I am seeing kids out of control not because of the parents but because of outside influences the parents can not control."

NOW THERE'S SOMEONE WITHOUT A CLUE!!!!!!

A lot of us kids where bullied in school and we managed to make it through and turn out to be reasonable adults. This is what kids do. Get over it.

Chetry is obviously a very beautiful young lady both inside and out, and beautiful girls just like her are very often the main target of these "gangs" of girls and boys who have no self-esteme.

I find it very pathertic, but sadly, I am not at all suprised.

There is little one can do in these situations, except perhaps sue civily; and, too often, the parents of these snipes are so consumed with their own insecurities, they are unable to accept their fault in it.

I hope Beth knows she is not alone in her fight on this issue!!!!

1 word..lawsuit

Take a look at the crap these preteens are watching on TV – shows that are full of self centred attitudes, sass and 'in your face' behaviour. Add the computer and video games that promote the same things and voila – nasty kids. There has always been the cliquey we're special and you're not so we can humiliate you mentality with kids in school, but it seems a lot more vicious these days. Perhaps it is time for schools where all kids are in uniform (so no one stands out as more or less "cool"), and where they refer to teachers with Sir or Ma'am.

The facts are missing from this article. The article isn't news and it doesn't help the issue. It is simply CNN helping this Mom provide negative publicity to the police, school and families involved. Enjoy the 15 minutes. What more does Beth want done? It sounds like the school possibly expelled or suspended the kids. It sounds like the kids parents of the offenders addressed it with them and even made them call and apologize. It sounds like the police diligently talked with the school and possibly the offenders and determined it was out of their jurisdiction. I don't really know because this purely sensational article does not provide a single fact other than Beth is really pissed off.

The article reads like a horror story for this family and probably it was, but I find it suspicious and disturbing, and very poor news reporting at a minimum, that no facts have been reported and "the other sides" stance is not represented. Thus I find myself wondering bad thoughts like what did Piper did to these little girls to make them put such an effort into harassing and threatening her. For all we know Piper is the bully and this is the reaction by her victims. All of you people commenting here about throwing these 11 year old grils that did something really stupid, or their, clearly horrible parents as you immaturely assume, in jail, which is just ridiculous, have no idea what you are commenting on because CNN does not have news reporters anymore, just this crap.

If CNN and Beth want to help or want other people to help, then make sure all of the facts get out , make an effort to allow the offenders to be heard, and help start a useful and realistic discussion about what can be done from a prevention and punishment standpoint. Otherwise this just comes off as CNN helping Beth get revenge because it might make good ratings.

I have a son who was threatened by another teenager on my space. I printed out the threats and went to the school resource officer at his school. He confronted the teenager and advised him I was ready to file charges on him with the state and that if it happened again, or if he or any of his friends said or did anything to my son I would. My son was never bothered by anyone again. We as parents have to let the administrators of the schools know that we will not tolerate our children being subjected to bullying of any kind and that they the ADULTS will be held responsible for anything bad that happens when our children are in their care and they choose to turn a deaf ear to the complaint or tell the child they can't do anything because they didn't wittness the incident. I think the main problem is that the adults in these cases always want to use the excuse that they are just kids being kids. Well I say that we see a whole lot of news stories about children killing other children and WE have to be responsible adults and teach our kids that these kind of things aren't kid games Even if THEY are just kids being kids.

schools and administrators really need to look a cyber bullying. it is bullying even if you don't see it. kids are scared of going to school. i wasn't bullied as a kid, but people did make remarks about me. it is cruel and mean.

another suggestion. SCHOOLS NEED TO IMPLEMENT BULLYING LAWS!!!. IF a kid bullies another kid, and there is proof (like in this case) the kids need to be suspended or expelled. Thats what they would do for physical assault, mental assault should be the same.

It seems to me that there is more bullying in schools today than in years past. As a child in grade school, I witnessed my share of bullying, but most of the time, expulsion seemed to work. In this day and age, and the technology that is available to kids, parents are not always aware of what they're up to. The speed in which they can contact each other is amazing, and short of taking these electronic devices away from them, there's little that we as parents can do. In this instance though, the parents of these girls should be taken to task, and the girls themselves made to go through counseling. Unless they're already "gone in the head", nothing works quicker on a kid than taking their communcation abilities away from them and putting them on notice that this type of behavior is unaccepable. Kids this age are exposed to so much violence, they've been de-sensitized to it. Not only is violence prevalent in movies and TV, but just about every day you hear of "children" picking up weapons and either killing themselves, their parents, or other kids. The number of school shootings in the past 10 years is testament to that. Unfortunately, the legal system seems to be more sympathetic to the perps. I also agree that Beth and Piper should keep this story in the media for as long as they can. Nobody wants bad press, especially the police and the schools. If all else fails, home schooling is an option. Pretty soon there won't be schools, and we'll all save tax money!!

When I was in school kids got beat up in the playgrounds. They got their bikes stolen, you know, REAL bullying.

This is nothing more than a youtube prank. Its very clear the that this family is stuck up and is blowing this way out of proportion.

I think this is the same lady who tried to get a 911 dispatcher fired for making a joke about how she couldnt control her own kids. People looking for attention. Nothing else.

BREAKING NEWS: My nephew got called a booger face at school. Film at 11.

Kids can be cruel. Welcome to Earth.

School sure isn't what it used to be. Kids settled their differences on the school yard. Now that the liberal parents are all involved, we've come to this. This is a direct result of the babying and coddling and no coporal punishment you people created over the years. So deal with it. See what you created? Not so fun is it...

I think something needs to be done. I have been cyber bullied for a year now from my ex husband's wife even taking it so far to use my 7 yr old as a pawn.

Spoke to the Sheriff's department and they said UNLESS they physically hurt you then there isn't anything they can do. What she said about my child they were looking into it. That was 9 months ago.

There need to be strickter laws for this. This is just as bad as Physical and Mental abuse WHICH is a crime.

i am a 4th grade teacher in Tennessee. I deal with bullying at the begining of the year. For about the first month until my class through discipline decides that it is not worth it. If one inccident occurs, it dosn't matter who it is. The whole class is punished, because bullying effects everyone even if it was not you who was bullied. It intimidates you even if it wasn't you that was bullied. Then there is the gossup about it and the gossup just fans the flames of bullies. it is what they want. Bullies are not getting enough attention or feel like they have friends or people that like them. So the bully people into being their friend. This is just not something I let occur in my classroom. We all have respect for one another. I have respect for my students and talk to them with respect and they talk to me with respect.

Also I have a very good program that i teach in my class that teaches why bullying is bad. It also covers alot of different social situations. It has a story and discussion questions after wards and then a skit to act out showing how these situations might feel. None of the students want to play the bad guy so i end up playing the bad guy most of the time. My students end up wanting to play the friends that stand up to the bully, in a nonconfrontational way. They realy enjoy the skits.

Also. I encourage team building skills with positive reinforcement. When i see the children working and playing together peacefully I allow them extra time outside or freetime in the classroom.

All I am trying to say is that if you do not teach children why it is bad to bully then they will not know that it is bad. Especially if it is happening to them at home.

Also, 1 hour a week at the guidance counselor's is not enough time to teach all the social lessons needed to be a well rounded individual.

I think there should be charges against the girl creating the video.... threatening murder is illegal.

Andrea, i could agree with you more!
"This case is three weeks old" So what.
" All parents were in agreement with the way the girls were disciplined"
Not the most important parent, Beth Smith
"The case was not a prosecutorial case because the girls were 11 years old." So, tell them they are darn lucky they weren't 12 because if they were you'd throw their butts in jail.
"We do not believe there was a real threat' Hmmmm. I guess that part is true, Piper would have to be actually dead before anything would be done.

We have to have some common sense. The kids should be sued for violation of civil rights. The case should be taken by the county or by the ACLU. The victim has suffered enough....society has to step in and intervene. The parents should be held responsible for their children's behavior. Perhaps, if the parents lost their house and car, they would be more vigilant, and that would set an example for other parents, who are recklessly ignorant. As a parent, I can't know everything my kid does, but I do believe we can react appropriately.

The schools are out of control. They are more interested in the protection of their reputations then the protection of students. This starts at the school board level. If the school, the principal, and the school board were liable for the safety of students, I think things would be much different. In a way, they are. Most school boards are elected, and we can refuse to re-elect the incumbents.

In the end, this issue is on us, the adults. There are actions we can take. We don't, because we are too busy or feel helpless. All of us can make changes, and we ought to.

my son was bullied all through 6th, 7th and 8th grade by the same group of kids. when one of them tried to push him over the top railing of a stadium we filed a police report. the result? the court "recommended" mediation between the parties. the bully parents (who by the way, also participated in bullying not only my son, but my daughters and myself) refused to attend mediation. the police said they could do nothing and the school pretended nothing was going on.

eventually, all three of the bullies ended up in a detention center after they viciously beat another kid. go figure.

eventually, my son walked into school in the fall of 9th grade after having grown 6 inches and gained 25 pounds over the summer. the kid who never backed down from the bullies was now the kid who could give back whatever they dished out. they only tried it once. and guess what – he was suspended from school for fighting back.

nearly 10 years later, the thought of what my son went through still makes me sick.

the only bright spot is that he won – in his mind, he won. he went to school every day with his head up and refused to let them win – and now, if they see him in a public place, they slink away. to this day, he never gives up on anything, and he never stands by if he sees someone else being bullied.

I agree that the video could be considered "making ter*****tic threats",
and should probably land the makers in juvie, or some serious community service.

I also agree that it's not the schools' business to play law enforcement for activities off campus.

Seems the main recourse would be to file a police report, send the victim to karate, etc.

Interesting, in our state lethal force is permitted against lethal force that a "reasonable" person would believe is going to be used.
So, if the victim reasonably believed that her life were in danger, and used some of the much more advanced martial arts moves,
it would make for an extremely interesting court case.
Just remember : "I was in fear of my life. I want to talk to my attorney."

Good comments and practices on "bullying," Sharron!

I agree that it is absolutely the parents job to instill values in their children and send them out into the word. However, having parents face jail time because their kids are "mean" is rediculous and a waste of taxpayers money. This whole society is getting more and more "protective" of not stepping on anyones toes and the freedom of speech is a joke at this point. How is a child supposed to develop as a person and learn about real life? I have been a victim of bullying a number of times when I was in middle school and I dealt with it and turned out just fine. I never involved my parents into this as I felt like it was my personal problem to deal with.
In fact, I think I was better equiped to deal with different people in college and in the workplace because of my experiences.
When I have a child, you bet I will instill the values of respect and never bullying or intimidating other kids. But I will also teach them to stand up for themselves in case someone tries to start up with them. As parents, how about raising respectful, strong children who can stand up for themselves and not blame everyone for their problems.

Schools always error on the side of caution – and allow your son or your daughter to be perpetually caught in the turmoil of abuse - they do not do enough to stop the abuse of bullies. Does it really take someone getting seriously hurt before parents and authorities and schools step up?? What are the parents of these girls thinking??

Along with what Tom said - how bout a protection order?? Make the school protect your child - explore alternate ways of keeping her protected from the trash that thinks they can get away with this.

I think "cyber bullying" is a joke. Parents need to be more active in the child's life so that they are capable of dealing with bullies in a constructive way and so that they have enough self esteem to not let it affect them.

Parent step up and do the job you agreed to when you brought the child into this world.

Let's not make cyber laws of any kind and just concentrate and kids interactions with each other. Seems to me the problem has nothing to do with what gets posted on the internet, the real problem is kids that don't have any respect for each other or any after thought about their actions. I could post nasty made up things about my coworkers (perfectly legal) but I would lose my job. Kids can put things on the internet if they choose (it's their right to do so) but you can be grounded and have your computer privileges taken away by the parent. Real responsibilty for one's own actions is whats needed, not more laws because a minority of people don't like something.

There may be a remedy in civil court for such bullying, I suggest yyou look into bringing an action for the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Since this is a tort action age is no barrier and if a judgement is returned in your favor that judgement will remain active for several years (20 in some jurisdictions). The cost to defend would, by itslf, be a strong deterrent

The action would br brought in the name of the harmed child by his/her parent as "next friend"

And by the way, none of the boys' parents ever called to apologize for their sons' behavior, including the rape threat. And only one of the three boys ever apologized to me. Relying on the parents to stop it is a waste of time. They never believe that their child could have done something that bad.

Another case of a parent wanting to shift their responsibilities to someone else.

Bullying isn't just name calling. It only starts that way. When I was in grade school in the 1960's, I was kicked, had my hair pulled, etc. Why did this happen? Because I was small, shy, and behaved myself in school. The school and the bullies' parents did nothing to make the bullies stop.

The only time I got called to the principles office in grade school was for beating up a bully who attacked me and my brother on our way home from school. He and two of his friends (one was a teacher's son) attacked us from behind. He started the fight by kicking me behind the knee when I didn't even know he was there. This bully's mother wanted me punished for beating up her son after he attacked me.

My daughter was being bullied last year in school. I knew what the problem was. The bully's parents were getting divorces, the mom was in jail for drugs and the dad was more concerned with his career than his kids. My daughter is a pretty naive and made an easy target for this girl. After 2 months of this and my son getting detention for sticking up for his sister I went in and filed formal complaints and this girl and her cohorts. It took another 5-6 months but things are now much improved. Just don't give up.

Their first phone call should have been to the police. This is sickening. Just because a bully is under 18 doesn't make them any less dangerous. It's sick that law enforcement and school disctricts are more worried about the rights of the bullies than protecting the victims. If we need another reason for home-schooling, just look at cases like this. This happens hundreds of times a day at schools but only a few cases are reported.

One thing is for sure...parenting has gone to a new level..not only do you need to keep your eyes and ears open, but also your comptuer.
In a sense, computers have been a blesisng because the immorality of consciences can no longer be disguised...the truth is right there...good and bad. Now it's up to us, citizens, to make things right for all.

I don't think what was done by the school or legal authorities was enough in our time. This video legally should be considered a death threat not schollhouse bullying. With the recent history of school house shootings I think the authorities here are more concerned about the "bullies'" rights than the victim's which is remarkable considering. This reaction is the result of all these "good" parents who believe their children are perfect and have never needed guidance much less discipline.

What the family of the bullied child should do, if the issue is not resolved, is sue the parents of the bullies for say 10 million dollars. Once these parents of the bullies are faced with the threat of losing equity, they will take the appropriate steps and fix their screwed up kids. Sadly in this country many parents don't take responsibility for their kid's actions unless it inconveniences them.

I was bullied for years and it took years to get my life together. I was also abused outside of school. I went from abused to abuser for a number of years. I became very desensitized to suffering; still am to a slight degree. I've been fighting since Columbine to speak out about the severe consequences of bullying, and to get the message to all people who are being bullied or have been: There is, and there never was, anything wrong with you. Bullies are cowards, weak, and need to be stood up to. Bullies may come across as cool to some, but the actions of a bully always extend outwards and can have horrible reactions. Stand tall, look your bully in the eyes, and tell him or her they are now looking at their worse nightmare, or just walk away. Who the hell cares what they have to say? Can you stand proud? Do you like yourself? Because if you do, it's totally irrelevant what anyone else thinks. Those who are bullied have to take a united stand or nothing will change. The abuse that I was responsible for, I'm asking my local authorities to let me voluntarily serve time to take the fullest personal responsibility that I can. Nobody would be none the wiser if I didn't institute this upon myself, but I feel it's the right thing to do. The problem with some of the crap you hear about on the news is that people either don't want to get involved, someone is obviously hurting but nobody even pretends to care, people have never learned how to handle stress, and then you have those who seem to thrive on bringing down others just for the fun of it. If your children are being bullied, I don't care how embarrassed they may feel, you get involved and stay involved. Enroll your kid in some kind of class or something, but work with them on their confidence and self esteem. You have to take the power away from the bully, and since I've been on both sides, I know that if I had been directly confronted, it would have made a difference. I was out of control; I wanted help; I wanted someone to ask me what was going on in my life. Right now, I'm trying to help someone who has been virtually ignored for years; whether it's too late to have a positive effect, I don't know yet.

Why should the school feel obligated to have jurisdiction over this matter if this "cyber-bullying" isn't being done on a school computer or on school property? Schools are learning institutions not police agencies. If a law has been broken let the cops or parents deal with it. As unfortunate as this might sound (especially to a kid that is experiencing this) it's not the schools problem. I mean after all who didn't get picked on in school as a kid. Deal with it.

Something has gone wrong with the reasoning process here. These girls are not functioning properly and should be subjected to mandatory counseling along with the parents. After all their thinking process was learned.

Yeah, blame the parents. What a cop out. We like to say that because we don't want to point at the all pervasive violence and other negativity that these kids are obviously bombarded with everywhere they go. Why? Because we are entertained by all that crap too, if not somehow involved in the entertainment business ourselves somehow, making money off sowing the seeds of hate and violence into the minds of the youth. Now it would be against our own interests to say "Blame the media" or "Blame television" or anything like that. "Censorship?" oh, no that is soo unamerican. No, the parents are always convenient scapegoats. Wake up people! Do you expect parents to sow their childrens' eyes and ears shut? Maybe lock them up in a cage? They cannot control everything their kids
see and hear – and YES, all of that does have meaning, and DOES
register into the growing minds of the youth, and no matter what it is
that the parents tell their children – kids WILL rebel at a certain stage,
it is only natural. The content of their environment is going to be a
MAJOR factor in how they are going to express this rebellion. So what
have we, in America, decided to allow our children to be openly
exposed to everywhere they go in public? I'm sure I don't need to elaborate on that – common sense should be enough to answer.
And stop thinking the government is going to help. Our system is all
about creating jobs and revenue – profit. Kids who have problems early in life most likely will have major problems as adults = lots of jobs for our so-called justice system + therapists, ERs, morticians, and easy prey for fear mongering media moguls and politicians. If it was my daughter, I'd have her take martial arts, and tell her to just kick the other girl's butt in front of whatever boy she thinks is the cutest, and have one of her friends film it. That seems like a much
simpler and sure way to solve this kind of problem.

I am so sick and tired of everyone living under the delusion that the school should be responsible for everything a child does. No where in this article did it say the girl was threatened at school. The video was not made at school. Bottom line: parents need to start being parents. The parents of the girls who made this video are responsible, not the school. As someone else mentioned, sue the families of the girls. Bullying comes from parents not teaching their chilren respect. If you teach your child to respect everyone and be nice to everyone and understand that some people may be different than others but that you should accept them and not make fun of them, etc, then the bullying might subside. Teachers can't monitor all children all the time to ensure that a kid isn't being bullied, but if kids were taught AT HOME not to bully others, they probably won't go to school and be bullies.

Just read some of the other comments. Wow, looks like there are a whole lot of BULLIES that can read these days. For those that don't get my drift, Yes that was meant as an insult, I'm referring to those of you that seem to think this is all " innocent, blown way out of proportion, just kids, stuck up family getting what they deserve Ext......"
the mentality that you people have is big reason why children do these things, They learn it from you, the role models.

You people are all a big bunch of whiners!

Hello Beth and Piper after reading your story I see two very brave people who took a proper stand to keep there family safe! Kids these days seem to get off on picking on other kids they feel are inferior to them. Not only do I feel anger towards your school district but where are the parents of these kids when the kids are sitting in front of the computer putting these video's and blogs together. Our computer still sits in our livingroom, where we could monitor how long and what our kids were doing! It taught them proper behavior on using the computer and not to get caught up in it. Maybe these parents need to get there noses out of the TV at night and pay more attention to there children, or did they have them for a tax right off? It never seems to amaze me how parents seem to so easy right off there kids once they get to a certain age. That is half the problem with families today! Stay strong ladies you are on a much higher level then those girls and there parents will ever be. And shame on the school district where you should feel safe to send your kids everyday!

I applaud this mother for being able to sit and calmly discuss this. I really think I would not be able to control my reaction if this happened to my daughter. How she didn't drive directly to these kid's houses and confront their parents is beyond me.

I had to switch schools because of bullying. If I saw the lead bully on the street today I don't know that I would swerve to miss her.

What I can't believe from the comments on here is the fact that it was not just bullying. The video was 6 way to KILL. This is not just a case of "I hate you" or "You're ugly". This was a threat to kill the little girl. My god how can the parents of those girls, the police and the school system be so caviler. When the worst happens who pays then?

those girls who made the video need some serious punishment...a small beating like parents used to do back in the day...kids can do whatever they want without punishment cause there laws that prevent any kind of hit/smack/ when in fact some of these kids need a hit/smack for punishment for the stupid things they do...now i'm not saying beat them senseless but if they cant get a punishment from there parents then how are they going to learn?? it seems the only way for them to learn is going to jail...since parents cant really discipline their kids, then as those kids grow up they'll get disciplined in jail if they continue their idiotic behavior (note this applies only to the kids who act up, not everyone)

You all are funny. "These kids should be punished by their parents" That is a good one.

Have you talked to some of these parents. Most of these parents have IQ's of a dixie cup, and less sense. I seen a kid hitting other kids at a McDonalds play land, and a mother confronted the father about it..He said "He is to far gone, I cant controll him."

When are we going to let our younger generations defend themselves? Beth, why is this such a big deal for you? They are 11. You are blowing everything out of proportion. This story is just ridiculous in itself. This is what teenagers do. Do you not remember when you were a teenager?

This depends on the school district. My son was suspended for 5 days for writing a "gothic" poem – no one considered it a true threat, the school claims that the girl feared for her safety but she says she was more worried about my son (who is fine). Yet no amount of discussion reduced the rather harsh penalty – "This community will not tolerate this behavior," were the exact words from the superintendent.

Turns out 100% of the pressure to punish came from the parents of the girl – no one who knows my son considered him or the poem to be a threat at all.

I'm troubled by the double standards applied across the nation in such situations. Schools have great latitude legally – I'd look at the influence of the parents and impune the integrity of the administrators on those grounds to get proper action taken.

"I’m sorry, but being mean is not against the law."

Adam...your above quote is true...BUT...I believe that death threats ARE against the law. These were death threats against this girl and the perpetrators no matter their age, should be punished.

"Another case of a parent wanting to shift their responsibilities to someone else."
-I don't know what this is supposed to mean but the victim's mother is well within her rights to want to see some actual justice and responsibility from law enforcement and the school board. Nobody should feel they are in danger when attending school each day and it is the school's responsibility to protect students while they are there, and law enforcement's responsibility to protect citizens the rest of the time.

90 days in jail and 6 months probation will teach these kids a lesson, but no lets not punish this behavior, the system fails yet again.

Dude, grow up, this is the internet. I've made death threats over the internet as well as recieved them. If you're going to cripple under a childish shenanigan such as this, then you really shouldn't be on the internet anyway! I've ridiculed my friends in similar ways throughout Youtube, and they've all taken it well. There is a distinct line between cyberspace and reality, and this family obviously missed that.

So here's to the family; I hope your next death threat video goes better!

Sue the parents! Let their much lighter wallets be payment for thier extremely poor parenting! This is one time when everyone wins including the victim, the community and the school district. Even the kids that did this terrible thing win because they will learn the harsh lesson the parents were not willing to teach to them in the first place! Good luck!

IF the police are not interested in pursuing this case, then take it to the District Attourney. You have a right to press charges, present the case to the Grand Jury, and terroristic threats are pretty serious charges. It doesn't matter if the cops don't take the threat seriously, it is the victim's perceived theat. If the kids did it on their parents computer, the parents are party to the crime.

Those girls who made the video and made it public online should be required to make a public apology to Piper and her family and post it online wherever they posted the video. They should also be mandated to read about bullying and mobbing and do community service in their school district about bullying and mobbing to educate others about this violence. Letting those girls off is enabling them and knowing they have not been punished (how were they disciplined?) will in all likelihood give them and others the message that it is OK to bully and threaten others and get away with it. This is the breeding ground for development of queen bees and girl-to-girl aggression that escalates into women to women violence in the workplace. Shame on that school district.

Oh yeah, does anybody see the halo over the little girls head? I would love to hear the other side of the story BECAUSE you know there is one. AND unless you've taught, you see this type of parent everyday, "My baby is good, everyone else is bad, I want my justice and I want it now, stop the world and take care of my baby!!"

ps. check out the eye roll by the fallen angel, tell me she hasn't done that a time or two.

I agree with another post that this is way more than a case of bullying- this was a death threat and should be treated as such. People don't make videos like that with no intent to act on it, or intent to do some kind of harm, physical or mental.

Isn't this considered assault (or even stalking)? In many states, threatening to kill someone is assault. Battery is the physical attack. Assault can be verbal. Secondly, why not sue the families (of the bullies) for defamation of character? They're threatening actions have caused emotional distress. Look up your state laws. Get an attorney. They'll take a retainer but then take 1/3 of any judgment. Good luck. This is outrageous.

I had to change schools between 4th and 5th grade because the school I was at consistently blamed me for my being bullied. They tried to classify me as "emotionally disturbed" because I was always crying. Well, of course I was always crying, I WAS BEING BULLIED! And all the teachers did was say "that's not nice."

Later on I did some research on bullying when I was in High School. It turns out that the only sure-fire way to reduce bullying at a school is through intervention. Teachers need to step up and stop things. Even more effective is peers stepping up and saying "stop it."

You have every right to be angry that they didn't do much. Because that is basically standing aside and saying "it's OK to bully" and the cycle will continue. You weren't the first, and unless people step in EVERY TIME, you won't be the last either.

ALL bullies should be punished including these. But it is the PARENTS and the SCHOOL OFFICIALS and TEACHERS and ALL of the people charged with protecting children that DO NOTHING to protect children! They do NOTHING! Even Oprah acknowledges that bullying is considered "a typical challenge of growing up"! Rather, it is an example of ADULTS NOT CARING!!! ADULTS see protecting children, their so-called most precious resource, as just too much trouble, too expensive, blah blah blah. THEY JUST DON'T CARE!

As one whose supposed "best friend" decided she needed to show off for her new friends in high school by sending me threatening and insulting Instant Messages, I discovered that the schools not only don't want to get involved in cyber bullying, but in some cases, even try to pin the blame on the victim (and of course they're "overemotional" parents)
However, unless the act is committed on school grounds, the school can and will probably do little about it. Your best bet is to contact the bully's parent(s) communicate the severity of the occurrence, and see if they are willing to hear you out or talk to their child. If not, you should contact the local authorities (pester them if you have to) to prevent any future harm, physical OR mental, to your child.
Not long ago, a group of girls posted a video of themselves beating up another girl...remember that cyber bullying can take a violent form whether you child is being bullied, or is the bully themselves

Most of the people commenting about this, the first thing they yell is "SUE THEM".

And most admit that they were bullied as children.

Haha.

Sadly its called survival of the fittest, which has been taken away in recent times.

God forbid there be an actual DISASTER in this country. 95% of the population would probably run around trampeling eachother in chaos.

The weak should not breed. It sounds cold hearted but its true. Due to welfare, laziness, lack of responsibility, people are all breeding making more weak, irresponsible versions of themselves.

This is what we are left with. Piper and her mother.

Life is hard, things will happen. Getting picked on in school does not equate a lawsuit, or national coverage.

All of the adults involved in this situation need to do more to stop the bullying that Piper is having to endure, including her own mother. I was bullied quite a bit in junior high and high school, but I was told by my mother to "just ignore them and they'll go away", and the school did little to stop it (and one of the schools was a Catholic school). My mom's advice, though well intentioned, did nothing but make me feel absolutely powerless and an even more appealing target. Girls are taught at an early age that they're supposed to be nice to everyone, and they act out their negative emotions through the kind of passive aggressive behavior that constitutes bullying. Girls should be taught to express their emotions directly instead of stabbing each other in the back, and the girls being harassed shouldn't just let them get away with it without standing up for themselves (and let their self-esteem suffer as a result). The grown-ups need to properly punish the bullies. As a consequence of my bullying, I grew up to distrust authority figures and I suffered from low self-esteem for a long time after I was finished with school. Luckily, now I'm a very strong woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself, but it took years for me to get to this point.

Hang in there Piper, I promise you, it WILL get better!

Have an attorney begin investigating bringing the offenders up on Child Predator laws. That is the point when the families will begin to wonder how they will raise their children when they are not allowed in the vicinity of other children. The school board will then have to take a stand on this and do everything to eliminate it.

Why do people think that allowing kids to face absolutely no consequences for their actions is going to turn out to be a good thing?

What lessons do we teach them when we allow them to get away with things like this? What else did they get away with that made them believe they could do this with impunity?

The problem today is schools are left with pretty much one discipline option, which is throwing kids out of school. The type of kid that does this would see that as a reward not a punishment.

Perhaps we need to toughen up a little and do things like get troubled children into hospitals or retirement homes doing community service. Teach them some compassion for those around them, rather than reward spoiled and selfish behavior.

I agree that cyber bullies should be punished. Individuals should not be allowed to bully and torment children on the internet. Evidence – the young girl who killed herself because a Mother, who should know better, "broke up with her" in a nasty way causing her to commit suicide. That is just plain wrong. If you want to play that kind of a game, you have to be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Here's my Bullying tale:

I was on the receiving end of verbal bullying (I was/am a big guy, I just don't like fighting) all I can say is this:

Bullies can dish it out, but they can't take it, nor do they handle being ignored well..

Example: After having having a team bully me for a while, I just simply started responding to thier jeers with "Who cares who you think stupid?" After responding to ever they jeer by calling them stupid, it only took a minute to throw a tantrum, toss a bag at me, and walk away.

Another example: I 'shoulder bumped' one of the 'tough' guys of the school (and after following me to my next class, which I was in a hurry to get to) he proceeded to yell and holler. Teacher told him to get out, so he waited till the next day to try and get a rise out of me. I told him to his face that I really didn't care and he freaked out when I calmly started reading a book during his tirade. After loudly announcing threat, the teacher sent him out of the class room and he never bothered me again.

Moral of the story: Bullies THRIVE on hot-headed, impulsive responses, but HATE IT when you take control of the situation and make light of them.

Ignoring them may be the best solution, but calmly belittling them tends to stop things faster.

Beth, keep getting this story out in the news, on the blogs, wherever you can. Publicity is the only thing that'll get some results. The parents are simply supporting their own child's horrible actions (not good parenting, is it?), but the school should be behind you and your daughter. Instead, it's almost like they blame the victim. The fact that they tried to sweep things under the rug speaks volumes. Don't let this story die down. Good luck.

This girl needs to toughen up a bit, in the real world mommy wont be able to save you from people who wont sugarcoat things for you...what a weakling.

Unfortunately in this day and age, parents don't get as much time as needed with their kids. Most kids are in school for 6-8 hours, if younger then 14, they then go to their home and are watched by a care giver or to a friends house, etc, until their parents are home from work. In these 10 hours more or less away from their parents, children are subjected to the upbringing of other kids, and in most cases, tv and internet....By the time mom and dad are with them, there are about 3 or 4 hours left before bedtime! Parents need to solidify their relationships with their children, even if they only have an hour each day. As a parent you cannot blame only outside influences. You are responsable for your child and the morals that you instil in them. Kids have attitudes nowadays and they have become immune to punishment. If we don't act and get media involved, local police, community centers etc, then when will these kids ever learn. It is time to embarrass them and make them see that their actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. If you are not the childs mother or father, does that mean you will not take action against them when they act in an inappropriate way in a public venue? Example; if you go to see a movie and a group of kids is sitting behind you without the company of an adult, and these kids are talking, making unacceptable comments etc, are you going to just sit there and not act? I am sorry but I am the first person to tell them to be quiet and you know what, more times than not, they are embarrassed. Sure there is the kid that will give you attitude back, but by this time you have other movie goers on your side and those kids will either shut up or get up and leave because their little game didn't work! Take a stand people. We are the adults, don't let children take over because they certainly will not become responsable adults!

Bring these girls up for charges and send a message to those that think they can get away with these threats!

We don't need laws for lazy parents and overly sensitive kids. Don't put restrictions on the net cause you're too lazy to watch your own kid. A lot of this crap comes from the fact school officials are now so afraid if they DO anything an irate parent will sue because, "Little Susie is such a nice girl!"

For those of you saying "jail the girls", SHAME ON YOU. I may not agree with what they say, and it is probably a very childish and vulgar statement, but tossing them in jail for it is just as evil or worse than their annoying video.

First of all, I'll readily admit, I didn't read the whole article, but, how is this a school issue? Unless this video was made in the school, or the kids were using school equipment to create and post this video online, I'm not sure what can be done against the school.

As a former school administrator, I can see punishing the kids for any bullying that's done on school grounds, but you can't hold the school responsible for a video the kids made at home.

While I won't jump to conclusions and say "this is the fault of the parents", I will say that the parents need to step in and work together to end this ordeal for Piper. Bullying is serious – but it doesn't have to be solved in courts.

I see a lot of people saying that the parents can't control this type of behavior and that's flat out wrong. It's that they don't WANT to control the behavior because that would cross the "friend barrier." Many parents these days are too weak to be good parents.

Regarding the schools, if they won't put a stop to this type of behavior, then they shouldn't come down on kids when they do.

The fact that there are actually people saying that this is blown out of proportion, and trying to rationalize why the school and police shouldn't be responsible for this girl's safety is beyond comprehension and shows exactly why kids who bully others think this behavior is OK. Still want to argue that this mentality isn't learned from parents? Just look at some of the nasty comments like "You are all whiners", etc...

I think the classmates of young Piper have been watching Jon & Kate and have decided to hurt others with non physical taunts and humiliation, which seems to be Kate's specialty

BULLYING HAS NO PLACE IN SCHOOL OR SOCIETY!!! This has to stop. No one gains from this.. neither the victim not the bully!!! We need strong school adminstrators to nip it in the bud and very very strict & ZERO tolerance for bullying should be adopted.

I agree that being mean is not a crime, but this goes beyond just being mean. These girls made a video about ways to KILL Piper. They didn't make fun of her for having freckles or wearing glasses or the like. They made a video about HOW TO KILL HER, that is far different than just being mean.

I'm not entirely sure where this video was made, but if it wasn't at school then the fight is not with the school. The school had nothing to do with it. The only involvement the school has in the matter is that it houses these girls under the same roof during the day. If an incident were to occur then the school would be responsible for any harm that came out of it, but you can't blame them for something if it happened outside of school.

The parents are in fact responsible, but only to a certain extent. Yes, kids watch ridiculous shows on TV with snobby attitudes, but who lets them watch these shows?? Parents. As a parent it is your duty to ensure that your child is not watching bad-mouthed and ignorant programs. On the other hand anyone that had contact with these children is responsible, anyone who was with them when they witnessed bullying and never told them that it was wrong. All too often I can go to a grocery store or to a movie theater and there is either a group of teenagers or adults either arguing or snickering at someone. If your child sees that and you don't reinforce that that behavior is unacceptable and intolerable, then you children will know nothing better.

This may seem like a small incident to most people, but it can quickly grow into a much larger problem. If people want bullying to stop, then they must stop bullying too. You have to practice what you preach.

I agree that there are many ways in which we can look at who is responsible and who should or should not pay or not pay for the actions of these girls. The one thing I do not agree with, however, is that this was a "joke" and "there have always been bullies" and the mom is overreacting. Someone threatened to kill her kid. They took the time to construct a video describing the ways they could do it. Poison was listed. What would you do if someone threatened to slip some poison in your kids lunch? Oh, let kids be kids wont bring them back after something like that and the sad thing is you never know if they will actually do it or not!

Take every step that you feel will keep your child safe. If they harrass her in any way, file a complaint with the police. The day of calling and reasoning with the parents is over. The parents don't care. They are part of the problem. The school won't act until something tragic happens. I would consider moving her to another school district or private school if you can afford it.

What can schools do? They're no longer allowed to "discipline" kids. The days of "spankings" are over. Spare the rod, spoil the child. Its obvious time outs do not work. Its easy to blame the school when the problem is with the parents. Only parents can discipline their children. Children are a by-product of their home environment. If a school has teach your children to respect others, then they'll never learn it. This should be a trait that should be learned when a child is a toddler. That being said, if a child is feeling threatened he/she should sign up for martial art classes. This will build up their esteem and will teach them how to defend themselves should a bully turn violent.

The parents of these little criminals need to be charged also! Otherwise they will never learn that they were responsible all along for what there children do!

Stop crying already. LEARN TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! Instead of seeking punishments for an unpunishable "crime", the mother should have taught her daughter how to respond to the girls for the videos. You fight fire with fire, not whining. The girl should share the girls' embarrasing information, or just make some up,. with the girls' friends, boyfriends, steal their lunches or makeup, etc until they leave her alone, and trust me, they will do so and have new respect for her! Instead now she will probably be taunted even more...just more secretly, behind her back...at least on the video, she KNEW what people were saying about her, now she won't even know!

I too was bullied at times in school, and guess what happened? I punched back when people punched me. I answered the taunts with my own. And the majority of the bullies ACTUALLY BECAME MY FRIENDS. I'm in college now and haven't been bullied since freshman year of high school. One of the former bullies is a close friend of mine.

Our nation has an issue with tattle taIling. Too many of us want the authorities to do all of the dirty work, without lifting a finger ourselves. Guess what people? IT DOES NOT WORK! Grow some balls! Bullying will ALWAYS exist, you just need to know how to fight it.

I understand the frustration of not being able to do anything about bullying. I was bullied throughout elementary school and junior high. The bullies are very smart and do not do things within the sight of teachers making the teachers helpless to do anything about it. It is wrong, however, to try to make the schools accountable in the case of cyberbullying unless the posts are made from school computers. It is like asking why the school did not do anything because a student shoplifted from the corner store. Schools do not have the ability to discipline students for what they do off campus. The parents need to be the targets here. If parents start facing lawsuits for the behavior of their children they may start paying more attention to what they do.

I must say, there is a huge distinction between being "bullied" and and making "terroistic threats". Unfortunately, yes, there has been a proliferation of these type(s) of incidents taking place within recent years and the proper authorities have a propensity to 'look the other way' until a crime has been committed. Well, a crime was committed. I understand being mean and nasty, but what was done to this young girl in inexcusable and cannot be tolerated. I applaud this young girl and her mother for standing up, and forcing parents to take their life long committment of raising and rearing children seriously. The irony lies in the fact that the parents of these children who created this video and who where somehow involved in this act, are screaming of their rights, all the while over looking and minimizing the damage that has been caused to this young girl.

When are we going to take responsibility for our minor children's actions? God forbid, if any sort of physical harm took place then the school and the media would have a field day accussing Beth for not doing more for her daughter.

A resounding YES – by all means, bring a legal action against these children, their parents, and the authorities who have been charged with the responsiblity of educating and caring for our children, to clearly demonstrate that being sorry for being caught is not where things end in life. CONSEQUENCES for our actions is a life long lesson we all need to learn and better sooner than later. Piper: walk with her head held up high, and know that there are more for you than against you! You and your family are in my prayers. God bless!

Good luck Piper and Beth. Anti-bullying is all the rage right now, but in reality, very little is being done about it. My 9 year old daughter went through a really bad experience last year. A group of girls, who just happened to have very "powerful" parents, were bullying her withuot mercy. Then her teacher joined in and allowed and encouraged it to continue in order not to allienate the girls' parents. At that point, I went again to the school. They had the girls sit down at the "peace table". What a joke. This just made them angrier and it escalated from there. I was actually present once, along with the other parents, when these girls bullied my daughter, and the parents just thought it was funny and girly, "just like in the movies" Ha-ha. That about sums up the reality of the situation in this society.

Kelly May 27th, 2009 12:32 pm ET

I think something needs to be done. I have been cyber bullied for a year now from my ex husband’s wife even taking it so far to use my 7 yr old as a pawn.

Spoke to the Sheriff’s department and they said UNLESS they physically hurt you then there isn’t anything they can do. What she said about my child they were looking into it. That was 9 months ago.

------

the same exact thing happend to me. here's what you CAN do

1. take a look at the laws on the books. states like michigan have laws on the books that are very friendly towards victims of cyber bullying

2. very important for you to get your paper trail started...file a report with the fbi's ic3 unit https://complaint.ic3.gov/

3. take it to court. you can not afford to lay down and be a victim. that only gives the perpetrator a since of empowerment. take it to court even if you have to represent yourself. most states offer legal advice free of charge.

in short, take control of the situation. sitting back and allowing yourself to be a victim will only embolden the criminal

The perverted mindset of each of the children that were involved in making the video, as well as the admissive mindset of their parents raising these children need to be assessed in therapy sessions.

The school district needs to CHANGE THEIR RULES to make it mandatory that this type of unacceptable behavior result in therapy sessions, "chaperoned" by a school administrator (i.e., counselor), as well as the children's EXPLUSION from school. A week or two of suspension or expelled from school is not acceptable. Explusion, removal, ejection from the school is appropriate for these children. By their actions, they should be "profiled". These children have displayed behavior which does not "fit" in the public or private school systems in America. They should be sent to special schools, or "alternate education schools", call it whatever you want.

Don't think for a minute that school district's can't change their rules based on incidents such as this. They can, and they will (with enough pressure).

Lastly, I understand (and disagree) that the "law" does not considered the "act of making" of this video a misdeamenor or a felony. However, if the "intentions" in the video where carried out by the perpetrators (children), the "law" would surely be involved. Why what till it's too late? The tragedy at Columbine raised the need for "profiling" in schools. Was that just more b***s*** talk to make the public "think" school districts were really taking action? Installing metal dectors in schools will NEVER "trigger an alarm" of what's going on in a child's head (and in this situation, we have a REAL good idea of what's going on in these kid's heads!!). Good God, what does it take for the public to wake up!?!?!?

I agree with Adam on an earlier post. the children should be punsihed by the parents. thanks Adam! However, the parents should be punished by the Judicial system!

The video those girls made was titled "6 ways to KILL Piper". If it was titled 6 ways to bomb or shoot up the school law enforcement & the school would do something about it. Apparently because it's a video just encouraging people to kill 1 other child instead of many they think there is no harm but if it was threatening many it would be different story. 1 child is just as important to keep safe as a schoolful of them.

seriously... we all know this was a joke. And to punish 12 year old girls for playground antics that occurred off school property is ludicrous! There is no law to enforce here.. just kids being kids.. in a time where YouTube is now available, 10 years ago it was scribblings on a notebook. Stop blaming everyone else...we can all focus our efforts in better areas than this. Forgive and forget, if you let them get to you, then they have succeed.

Expelling these children from school because the police wouldn't do anything is an awful idea. If they can't get an education how do you expect them to rehabilitate themselves? They're just kids that did something stupid; they shouldn't be punished for the rest of their lives. Adam has it spot on.

@OllyvanZapp – minors under 18 cannot enter into binding contracts, period.

Being from the midwest, when my daughter was bullied at school I went straight to the mother and asked her for help in dealing with the issue. The Mother laughed at me and said her daughter would never do any such thing. She then asked if I had contacted the school about the incident. I said no but that after seeing she was unwilling to talk to her daughter I would talk to the teacher and principal. I did tell the school and asked for help. They said they have been trying to work with the girl's mother (three other parents had already complained) but there is a cultural difference and they were not able to get her to understand that her daughter's actions were wrong. So the lesson I learned was it is not a good idea to talk directly to the parent anymore just document your trail with the school and after repeated emails on the subject bring up the "sue" word if the harassment does not stop.

THE FIRST THING THIS MOM NEEDS TO DO IS TAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO COURT AND USE THEIR RULES AND REGULATIONS TO SUPPORT A CASE IN WHICH SHE FEELS THE SCHOOL IS NOT PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR HER DAUGHTER.

i know it sounds harsh but it's the only way to make the school system get off it's ass and do the right thing. again, even if you can't afford a lawyer do it yourself. it's not as hard as you might think and all states offer legal advice for free. just call your local district court and start asking questions.

i hope this helps

Beth and Piper, I offer support and condolences for the ridiculous lack of support you received your from school and law enforcement.

These kids need to be held accoutable for their actions and to learn that words, both written and printed, actually DO mean something.

It is my most sincere hope that they be required to attend some kind of counseling; I find it very disturbing the lengths they went to to be mean to your daughter. If I were their parents, I would be horrified that my child would do such a thing.

And here is a scary thought, how will their behavior escalate as teenagers, if they are ONLY sorry they got caught?

Let's just get to the point: These threats need to be taken seriously, and those girls need not just tough love, but a few nights in a detention center to give them a dose of reality. There's enough to charge them with right now.

For all those who think bullying is harmless, stop being ignorant. I got away with lots of stuff, and the mere fact that I did, made me think I could get away with anything. If you let these girls off the hook completely, it will become a joke to them.

As far as weak parents who are afraid to stand up to their kids, it will come to bite them back. Stop caring if your kids like you or not; just do what you're supposed to do and one day they'll thank you.

why do Piper's parents believe the school district must take the lead on this? whatever the other girls did was not done in school nor apparently on the school grounds. perhaps Piper's mother simply needs to work with the law enforcement and the other parents as best she can and stop depending on the school district to come up with a "perfect" solution. Piper certainly did not come across in the CNN interview very well and not one who would be easily intimidated as she suggested. The school district is designed to educate but not to act as the "be all" "end all" for every contingency that comes along.

I went through some serious bullying at school when I was Piper's age, and this was a 20+ years ago before bullying was even making news. What I went through back then was a walk in the park compared to what kids of today face, but I still felt intimidated, hurt and scared at the time.

The prinicipal's response to my parents? "I have more bad kids then good here and I don't have time to deal with every little thing that comes up. If she can't handle it, put her in another school." Those words still stick with me to this day. Sadly, this person is now in a high position on the school board for that district. I can't imagine how many problems now go ignored/unchecked

Yes, the incident occurred outside of the school setting. However, the fact is that the girls attend school together so no matter what the issue gets dragged into school with them no matter what. School administrations have the choice to either be proactive or reactive regarding situations. Unfortunately this school has chosen to be reactive and ill-informed. It is completely constitutional to search students' belongings in a school setting. As soon as a student enters the school their constitutional rights end at the door. Schools have the right to search bags, lockers and belongings if they have any reason to suspect contraband, weapons, illegal or restricted items are being carried onto school property. I would almost guarantee that school officials were aware of the video before the girls' parents were. Anyone who has ever worked in a school setting knows that kids talk, teachers hear things and word gets passed along.

As for the police apparently brushing off the situation as not a "real threat". What does it take to be a real threat? Death? A child actually physically being harmed? As any educated individual knows, psychological harm can cause just as much, if not even more, damage than physical harm. We live in a diverse society and children have a hard time distinguishing between what is acceptable and what is right. They feel that as long as something is accepted by peers that it's okay to do. Children and teenagers are not at the stage in their mental or educational development where they can sit back and consider all aspects of their actions before they do something. Are the parents responsible for their childrens' behavior? Of course they are. This is not to say that the parents themselves are bullies. Parents simply can't watch their kids 24/7 and the fact of the matter is that teenage girls can be particularly cruel.

For those who say this victim should grow a backbone – this is a typical response from victims of bullying who resent the fact that no one came to their rescue or bullies who have never grown out of being a bully. Proof that some things, unless addressed at a young age, never are resolved.

Parents – CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN.
Ask questions. Be involved. Watch their shows. Listen to their music.

Instead of "calling" the parents, how about showing up at their front door when they're making dinner? People can act apologetic on a phone but its harder to do in person. This forces an immediate interaction that is both more genuine & more memorable.

Dana K. – "short of taking these electronic devices away from them, there’s little that we as parents can do. " SO TAKE THEM AWAY!!
Otherwise, you are the epitomy of American parenting in action.

"I've spoiled my kids. Now they don't respect me or anyone else & there's NOTHING I can do..." Anyone who thinks this is not the result of poor parenting is either a bad parent themselves or does not have children.

State laws currently on the books:

Arkansas
In 2007, the Arkansas legislation passed a law allowing school officials to take action against cyber bullies even if the bullying did not originate or take place on school property. The law gave school administrators much more freedom to punish those individuals who sought to harass their fellow students.

Idaho
2006 saw Idaho lawmakers pass a law that allowed school officials to suspend students if they bullied or harassed other students using a telephone or computer.

Iowa
Iowa has passed several laws that force schools to create anti-cyber bullying policies which cover bullying “in schools, on school property or at any school function or school-sponsored activity.”
Help prevent cyber bullying in schools by using your own Cyber Bully Prevention Software.

New Jersey
The Garden State of New Jersey has always maintained tough laws about bullying, but it wasn’t until 2007 that the laws were amended to include bullying via “electronic communication.” These laws give additional power to the school system to enforce bullying-related punishment for actions that may not take place while on school grounds.

Oregon
The progressive state of Oregon really delves into the details of cyber bullying. The laws passed in recent years in Oregon expand the boundaries of what constitutes cyber bullying to include those actions which “substantially interfere” with the education of the young person.

Missouri
The suicide of a 13-year old girl Megan Meier who was the victim of an internet hoax greatly raised the awareness of cyber bullying and its consequences in the state of Missouri. Governor Matt Blunt went so far as to create a task force whose sole purpose was to study and create laws regarding cyber bullying. As a result the Internet Harassment Task Force now stands as a shining example for other states around the country. Missouri has also toughened their laws on the matter, upgrading cyber-harassment from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony.

New York
New York created a system to investigate claims of cyber bullying that would help police and school officials better ascertain the circumstances of each occurrence and prosecute or punish the culprits to the fullest extent of the law.

Rhode Island
The governor of Rhode Island is currently trying to pass a bill that would force repeat cyber bullying offenders to appear in family court, where they would be charged as delinquents under the terms of the state’s laws for young offenders.

Vermont
Vermont has added a $500 fine for cyber bullying offenses to their already stringent laws on the matter. There is currently a bill being discussed that would increase the reach of the school’s powers regarding cyber bullying when the action puts the individual’s ability to learn (or health and safety) at risk.

Absolutely ridiculous that these kids are even allowed to stay in school.

Piper has done nothing to deserve this, deserve to be afraid in her own school, while these girls continue to be there. They should be suspended for the rest of the year. At least. So that Piper can continue to go to school unafraid.

This stuff isn't serious? Girls threatening to kill another student? Talk to me again in five years when they do it for real and everyone stands around scratching their heads saying, "Well, there were some pranks when they were 11, but we had no signs." Believe me, threatening to put that amount of work into threatening another child is the tip of the ice berg with these girls. I'm sure there were sign as early as preschool that they were disturbed and bullies, but people literally excuse it as "kids will be kids". Don't complain when these girls turn into adults and now screw up your life somehow if you're not wiling to punish them severely and demand ongoing counseling for them to return to school.

Beth – don't let up! Although the criminal route maybe exhausted there is always civil remedy. Make sure your daughter is getting the medical help she may need from the trauma this has certainly created. Not trying to sound frivolous but at least it compounds damages you can receive and sends a statement to school administrators and politicians too!

This mom seems to care way more about this than the kid. Lead by example Beth. If Piper never told her mom and instead confronted the 'friends' who did this to her, I am sure this all would have blown over. Now Beth is leading the front and blowing it out of proportion. What, do you think these kids should be charged with conspiracy to commit murder? Kids will be kids and they learn from mistakes and everything they go through makes them stronger. Don't let turn Piper into a Beth.

Example of cyber bullying lawsuit:

Facebook Cyber Bullying Lawsuit Versus New York Teenager

By Ben | March 10, 2009

As reported by Reid Epstein in Newsday, New York teenager, Denise Finkel has sued Facebook for $3 million because, she claims, it carried a fictitious Facebook chat group to bully, ostracize, ridicule, abuse and disgrace her. The lawsuit states that former high school classmates, Michael Dauber, Jeffrey Schwartz, Leah Herz, and Melinda Danowitz created the chat room in which they falsely claimed that she had “inappropriate conduct with animals,” and had AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases.

I want to focus on two related areas that I think are more important in the long run.

Of course there will be a lot of furor over whether any or all of the accused four did it and whether Facebook is liable for content that’s not obviously pornographic. Did Finkel complain to Facebook and did Facebook turn a deaf ear to Finkel’s complaints? And are the four people guilty as accused?

When it comes to these parents disciplining these bullies, the only thing the parents will understand is if you get them where it hurts ... in their pockets. I agree with Jeff (who posted at 10:57 am) about finding a good lawyer and suing the pants off them. This is a case with much publicity and maybe, just maybe when parents realize they can be held responsible for their child's actions, only then might you see a change in behaviors.

Does anyone remember Columbine? This may not be that extreme, but those boys who shot up the school also made multiple videos depicting killing classmates before the shooting took place, and even videotaped one of them on the school grounds! No one took those seriously, either.

And while they were bullied by classmates, they did their share of bullying younger kids, as well.

I am going nuts as I read this... not because of the situation, but because of the idiocy of some of the responses. Over and over again, people keep saying "it is not the school's responsibility". While I agree that the school obviously has no legal liability over the actions that a couple of students happened to take after school against another individual who happened to be a student. HOWEVER, the school absolutely has a duty to provide a safe and comfortable environment for ALL children to attend class and learn. If several students at the school are making death threats... and let not forget that is exactly what they did... against another student at the school, the school MUST take steps to make sure that the threatened student is safe to continue to attend school and learn.

I don't mean to oversimplify, but suppose one student had beat another student very badly off school grounds... say at the local mall on a Saturday. Obviously, the school is not culpable in any way for the crime. However, suppose that, for whatever reason, the aggressor is not jailed... let's assume he or she is out on bail awaiting trial. Would you really respond that, since this happened off school grounds, this is no longer the school's problem, so the assaulter and the assaultee should just sit next to each other in class!! Don't be ridiculous! THE SCHOOL WOULD HAVE A LEGAL DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE VICTIM WAS PROTECTED... just like they do in this case.

Sheesh... I am beginning to think that John Stuart Mill was right when he said, "While all conservatives are NOT stupid, all stupid people ARE conservative."

"Dude, grow up, this is the internet. I’ve made death threats over the internet as well as recieved them."

Jason, I believe you're the one who has some "growing up" to do.

concerned parent"...apparantly you have never heard of exaggerations...believe it or not, "I'm gonna kill you" is used all the time, even among friends.!.. The girls are 11 years old, I don't think they even understand what they're talking about!

how come its the schools responsibility? was the video made on school property? it should have been handled through the police in the first place. school should have been notified so as to protect her at school, but thats as far as they should have to go. if schools expelled every kid who threatened another kid, then half the kids wouldnt be in school. how many kids are threatened after school in run down neighborhoods. where kids fear for their life daily. where people actually do get shot, stabbed and so forth. the schools are not the police. as far as some of the other posts, those were on school property and also with school faculty. those are entirely different situations. if i have a problem like that my first call would be to the police, not the school.
sure they are sorry, everyone is sorry when they get caught, nobody ever says they are sorry if they are not caught. they are kids, they dont apologize to each other, i rarely ever hear my kids say they are sorry to each other unless i tell them too. they are usually only sorry they got caught doing something wrong. its the way kids are. it was that way when i was in school, and i doubt it will ever change. i would like to know how many of you people have hurt someones feelings then went and apologized for it afterwards. when you talk about someone that you work with and dont like, maybe comments that are rude and snide, but hey they arent around so who cares right? you probably do that around your children also, they see that and think its ok as long as the other person isnt around.
this stuff happens everyday, i dont see those other cases on cnn!

have you folks who are talking about "bullying" seen the video? There is a difference between bullying and terrorizing. That was terrorizing. And to the guy who said she should just "retaliate to get them to stop", yeah, thats a great idea. Let violence and terror spawn more violence and terror. Furthermore, how can the girl not be "too sensitive". she's not even a teenager yet for goodness sake!

You know what, I know this may seem really harsh, but where are the names of these kids and parents? Put them out there for everyone to see. I say embarass them to the point that they can't see straight. Have them be in a media nightmare. Totally humiliate them and their children in public (no not harsh as it sounds) and then lets see how they feel.

It would be one thing if they were simply call her bad names but to make a video on how to kill her?

Man its time to drag these people in public and show what losers these parents are and the scum they have become.

I have always wondered why behavior like this is illegal in the workplace. This can get a person fired and they can have a claim brought against them yet we tolerate it in our schools. We are willing to allow behavior that we as adults would not stand for in our everyday lives. Why? Because they're kids. These "kids" are going to grow up and be adults. This needs to stop. Hang in there Piper!

Here we go they are going to make it a felony if you hurt someones feeling online. So your all going to have to keep real quite and say what the state wants you to say. Are you against this, well your not for children getting bullied are you.

Quote "One of the former bullies is a close friend of mine."

I guess if you can't beat em, join em? Let me take a wild guess Gary, you don't have kids do you?

Another example of a parent thinking their child deserves the world, to the cost and detriment of everyone else around them. Detectives do not have time to spend countless hours and money following up on what was obviously a childish, and unfortunate, prank. The fact that this woman continued her pursuit of "justice" like a bulldog biting on the posterior of a trespasser just to give her own ludicrous fears some soothing is disgusting.

The world does not revolve around us. It's high time people realized that.

This is a personal matter, not a judicial one. I don't even see why the school had to get involved, unless the video was made on campus. Nowadays we expect schools to punish kids for everything they do, regardless of where they do it.

So you're not satisfied with how it's been handled so far? What would satisfy you? Expulsion? Flogging, perhaps?

Blame the school?? Sue the school?? If this act happened at home on the kids home computer, just how is the school suppose to punish the kids? It's not enough, the school is suppose to feed the kids, breakfast and lunch, and provide after school programs. Oh, and let's not forget they are suppose to educate them, all the while trying to please every parent who wants the kids to say the pledge, or not say the pledge, pray in school, or not pray in school, do this, or do that, etc, etc...Perhaps if parents did their job, and actually paid attention to what their kids were doing, and kept them off the damn computer, this stuff wouldn't happen. But, it's always easier to just blame the school, and sue them. After all, the public school system is raising our kids for us, are they not?

and by the way...if someone I knew complained to the media about being bullied, I'd probably start bullying them too...it's called self-respect....and some people have little of it.

I'm not sure why you're taking issue with the school in this situation – no information has been provided to indicate that the video was made on school grounds or with school equipment, or that any school employee was involved.

This should be strictly a matter, both criminal and civil, for the parents of the girls who did generate and distribute the video, who are legally responsible for their children's behavour until the kids turn 18.

Schools are expected to educate children during their attendance hours. They are not responsible for the actions children commit outside of school and should not be expected to police what children do in their own homes. That's why children have parents.

Poor parenting on the bully girls’ side!! The parents either have their heads buried in the sand or are too cruel themselves to see what little monsters they have! It’s unfortunate that the school has to be the "punisher" but these kids need someone to teach them that this crap is unacceptable! If the parents won't do then the school must! In 6 years these girls will be living within our society without the "rule" of their parents. The problem will then be ours! I'd rather have my tax dollars spent in schools teaching kids what their parents "should" teach them rather then spending tax dollars on non-preemptive measures such as welfare checks, food stamps, or even jail cells! Until “the idiots” of the world are no longer allowed to breed we’ll have to pick up their slack!

JenC May 27th, 2009 1:22 pm ET

have you folks who are talking about “bullying” seen the video? There is a difference between bullying and terrorizing. That was terrorizing. And to the guy who said she should just “retaliate to get them to stop”, yeah, thats a great idea. Let violence and terror spawn more violence and terror. Furthermore, how can the girl not be “too sensitive”. she’s not even a teenager yet for goodness sake!

---–

*STANDING OVATION* i could not have said it better.

one last recommendation- if the mom can afford it, hire yourself a good electronic discovery specialist to map out exactly what took place electronically. that will provide hard evidence in the event you decide to take it to trial. not only should the mom sue the school system, she should also sue the website that hosted the video. again, if you can't afford to hire a lawyer do it yourself. it's not difficult at all.

This whole affair is stupid. Turn off the computer. Duh! As a parent, are you really this lame? This is a good time that you explain to your mushy headed child that there are bad people in this world and that WORDS cannot hurt you, no matter what they are. (Personally, I think Piper should just go up to these girls and WHACK them upside the head!)

"jeff May 27th, 2009 10:52 am ET

Thats a convient answer, blame the parents. Everyone likes to fall back on that.

The only problem is thats probably not the case. More and more I am seeing kids out of control not because of the parents but because of outside influences the parents can not control."

But jeff, that IS the answer – at least a large part of it. Sure you can argue about the outside influences but what are those outside influences? Other kids? That brings it right back to a parental issue. Kids need direction and discipline – not just a "give a slap on the wrist and it's okay, go out and play" attitude or a "my child is my freind" attitude but set firm boundaries and consistant punishments for crossing those boundaries. Too many parents today are hesitant to give their children the discipline they need. and NO I am by no means condoning child abuse but firm and decisive action. When I was growing up the schools had the authority to punish children with spankings if needed (and there was one time that I did), my parents did spank me when needed (again there was a time or two that I did) and I somehow made it just fine. I do not physically, emotionally, or verbally abuse my kids or my wife or anyone else.

With my kids I set boundaries and punishments for crossing those boundaries, I teach my kids wrong from right by word and by deed, and I reward them when they act right... and funny thing here none of my kids are bullies. Go figure.

Bullying is a form of harassment, it needs to be stopped. This can be done at the schools and also at home. Parents need to be involved in the lives of their children, they need to set boundaries, punishments, rewards, and make sure they teach their children right from wrong. Schools can also be involved by monitoring the students, defusing potential bullying situations, educating children about bullying, and applying common sense to the rules rather than become encased in this zero tolerance bullcrap.

This isn't a bullying issue per say but rather a snobby two face girl thing. This kid thing has been going on since the dawn of mankind...."let's not talk to so and so today...let's see how mad we can make her.....My daughter came home a month ago complaining about a few girls, presumed to be her friends, picking on her; I armed her with a few good one-liners and sent her to school the next day. She came home saying that the cut downs I gave her ended up driving one of the girls, (the ring leader) to tears. Now they are all friends again and know that my daughter is capable of taking care of herself. The only way to stop this is (1) Teach your kid to not be so sensitive and to laugh things off a little more and (2) teach your kid how to defend themselves both verbally and physically OR (3) have the schools plant microchips in every kids brain to turn them into programable robots.

Folks, there is a law... it's called Terroristic Threats.... Beth needs to get a lawyer and show this school board and the parents she means business. If this were my kid, I would unleash so many attorney's on them that they wouldn't know which orfice to cover first. There is no way I would tollerate this. Sorry, if people aren't going to parent their children, then there is only one way to make them understand... in a courtroom.

Back in my day, if we acted up in school, we got swats! Its seems the problems with teens and tweens is there is no discipline allowed. BRING BACK SWATS in school and allow the parents to discipline their children without fear of going to jail for child abuse. I respected my mother and father and all around me for the fear of the "Belt" if i stepped out of line! That discipline didnt hurt me nor my adult life.

The first thing you need to realize is – these children one, took a lot of pleasure from this and secondly were very powerful while they were doing it. If you do not do something these kids will move on to other victims and most likely the behavior will only strengthen.

Please understand NO ONE is going to protect your child. Only you can do that. I took my kids bullies and their parents to civil court. Yes, I sued them for what they did and not only made the parents pay (boy did they learn a lesson) but also, as part of the deal the children had to attended counseling for bullies. It was painful, and a blessing. Your child has nothing to be ashamed of and by calling the bullies out and bring the actions into the light victims can walk away knowing they are not to blame, and not the ones that should be punished.

Adam and James ===> One problem, many of the parents that have children that bully don't care, it is not the first time the kid did it, and usually have other siblings who have done it.

In my daughter's case, the family has 3 kids, two are boys, one girl ALL THREE are bullies and have been suspended, reprimanded etc... for bullying throughout school, even to High School!

And the parents? Too busy, gotta work, can't do this, can't do that, they have a list of excuses, and even when you have the computer printout, "Are you sure it was my kid?" Or witnesses? They do nothing.

The part in the video, where they were going to push the child to get her to kill herself, that is what they were doing to my child.

Imagine... having a stalker who wants to do harm to you... you know they exist, you don't know where they are, when they might get you or how they might get you...

THAT'S what my child went through, never knowing if today was going to be a day where she could just go to school and learn. She loves school, she wants to be a professional athlete, she has big goals and aspirations, she is very pretty, not into the makeup and she has a big heart, she will help anyone, homework, school projects etc... doesn't matter, she gives!

She left private Christian school and went into the Catholic system in grade 5 and was picked on and bullied for 3 years now... just imagine going to work everyday and having someone there who harasses you every chance they get at work... you never know when its coming, the degree it will be, whether they grab you sexually in a physical manner or will verbally trash you or smash your head in.

This is over the top and there has to be a way to stop it. So, looking to the parents? It won't work unless they are involved ACTIVELY in their child's life and if they are a chronic re-offending bully, that has a reputation since grade 1 or 2 for bullying... I can almost guarantee you, that isn't going to work.

And yes, that is the situation here, the main king pin of the "Fatal 5" here, their parents don't give a squat. The boy is 14 and brags that he "might have knocked one up" already.

If a man rapes a woman, the woman needs counseling usually, to move past the trauma, but, the man is arrested, tried and if found guilty, punished, then he is assessed to see if he has a likelihood of re-offending.

If a child is emotionally raped repeatedly, the victim gets counseling, which they should for the trauma, but, the bully, being expelled or suspended really does nothing but, give them time off from school. They are NOT assessed to see if they will re-offend. And that's a problem.

The bully should have to go to counseling WITH the parents as well.

And my child, yep, she is in Karate Classes to build her up in more ways then I can tell you. She won't stop till she is a black belt either.

All the best!
♥♪♥♫♥

starzzguitar May 27th, 2009 1:27 pm ET

This whole affair is stupid. Turn off the computer. Duh! As a parent, are you really this lame? This is a good time that you explain to your mushy headed child that there are bad people in this world and that WORDS cannot hurt you, no matter what they are. (Personally, I think Piper should just go up to these girls and WHACK them upside the head!)

----

you are wrong! in my case it developed into cyber stalking

look i was bullied. but when i stood up to them they all backed down. i never used anything other than my words and my body language.

Being 12 in 1977 was *paradise* compared to today's ugly viciousness.

How much worse is it going to get, people?

Glad I don't have kids.

Cyber bullying? What the heck is that? Bullying is someone or group physically pushing you around, hitting you or doing other PHYSICAL things to you. Making stupid videos or calling names, etc. is not bullying. Kids today have been brought up in such sheltered environments that they have a problem with real life. I was bullied when I was a kid. I was pushed around like some time of rag doll. I ignored it. Finally, after not getting any response from me, the bullying stopped. Later in life when I encountered some of the "bullys" they told me they were glad that I ignored them because if I had retaliated, that I would have killed them. Those same persons are friends now. We joke about what happened. Kids need to learn that "bullying" is part of life. They need to learn to l ive with it and stop running to mommy or daddy when things don't go to suit them.

After dealing with my daughter being bullied for three years and trying to work with both the teachers and school administration, her life was threatened very violently. The state superintendent finally told me to get her out of there for her own safety and well-being. This meant sending her 2000 miles away to live with my sister until we were able to transfer to another state. She spent school years away from us, it broke my heart but was certainly the best thing I could have done for her at that point in her life. It is however something I never should have had to do. She is now a sophomore in high school, active in her civil rights club at school (promoting anti-bullying among other social issues) straight A's in AP classes, is well adjusted and has high self-esteem, a long way from the child who was bullied severely. There is hope if you are able to help your child work through it and are prepared for dealing with all the issues, you must do everything you can for your bullied child. If you are experiencing bullying issues please take a look at the website http://www.bullypolice.org for assistance, it can offer a world of knowledge as well as support. Bullying is not simply kids being kids, it is real, it can be violent, it can cost our children's lives, and it needs to be recognized as an epidemic and dealt with.

These kids, regardless of age need to learn a hard lesson. Whether that's community service or spending a weekend in jail to show that making threats of this type is no laughing matter.

Secondly, not only are the parents to blame, but let's start looking at video games. Kids are bombarded daily with images of death, destruction and mayhem with the video games they play.

The school admitted it is there problem. The actions of these girls within and outside school are intimidating and threatening enough that this 11 year old girl is afraid to be at school. Of course it's the school's issue. It's the entire community's issue. If you keep saying "not my problem" believe me, sooner or later it will be your problem.

And parents can absolutely control this level of intimidation. First thing to do is unplug the computer on these kids. It's amazing how many parents don't even have the guts or willpower themselves to do that. Second, unplug the television – worst influence on kids ever. Third, a good long dose of "right home after school and no friends until you can show me that you're spending more time on improving your miserable self-centered self, starting with treating the members within your own family better – then maybe we'll think about sending you our into society again". Fourth, a nice long tour of duty doing volunteer work, and not the cushy kind. Fifth, counseling, in large doses.

Otherwise, as I said, these girls will be women someday and in your workplace, in your nursing home, in your government, in your kids' school as a teacher, and acting just as cruel but on a larger level, and with you and your children as a victim. Stupid cruel adults come from somewhere – here's one of the places.

As a teacher, I see bullying and stop it every chance I get, because I know how bad it can get, and most school district do do something about this. Here the fact however, all in all, its the parents resposibility to teach their kids right and wrong. We teach them and we teach them right and wrong 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. We teach, not babysit. If anything I would go after the parents of the bullies who sounds as if they did nothing about this. I dont know much about this district, but as a school employee, those kids would get expelled, no questions asked–especially death threats. EVERYTHING STARTS AT HOME.
Four letters DCFS

As a parent you protect your child. Not from "susie pulled my hair" or "johnny stole my army man" but from "some girls made a video about how they want to kill me". Good for the mom for having the guts to get up and act so that possibly their state can legislate that this kind of behavior online is unacceptable. Furthermore, it is a matter of legislation when death threats are involved. Even online. The law needs to change with the times and I think that is the ultimate goal for this mother. Documenting the abuse legally will establish a pattern so that IF these girls really do have the potential to act on the violence the law will be more able to handle the situation.

This mom is insane. Kids don't treat death as seriously as adults, and I would be truly shocked if anyone physically harmed her. At this point I feel this mom is making a mountain out of this issue and if she keeps it up will likely alienate her daughter even more. I remember when I was that age, friends constantly would backstab one another, it's just a tough time.

Nice advice Gary... r u kidding me? Bullying needs to be stopped by the parents first and if that don't work by the schools and law enforcement. We had a case of bullying and guess who was behind some of it...the girls mother. The little girl they were bullying committed suicide. I guess she should have just blown it off and handled it like a 35 year old man would and not like a young tween or teenager does. That's why they are kids Gary....not adults.

It is the adults job to take care of the children. The first place we as parents should do is look in our own backyard and make sure it's not our kids doing the bullying. That's where it stops. Take responsibility for your children! Don't make other children have to deal with your childs abusive behavior that you either encourage or condoned!

I have the reverse situation. My son is in trouble every other day at school because one particular boy cries "bully" whenever he doesnt get his way. His parents have threatened everything from lawsuits to arrests for anything their son tells them the other kids do. My son walks around scared to even make eye contact with anyone. I instructed my son to ignore the "victim" and then he got in trouble when "victim" told the principal my son and his friends were oustrasizing him. My son is an athlete, and typical All-American kid. This "victim" kid targets all of the kids in this group of boys. I am at a loss as to what to do to help him.

Schools cannot report on the punishment, or any information about the students, it is the way it works (and ensures privacy rights for all students in all instances). This is an example of where mediation between the students needs to be put into action. Why are they doing this? What precipitated the event? How can it be stopped? These instances are happening with younger and younger students each year. This is where parents need to spend more time talking with their kids, and working through issues that they are having (not using these instances as a chance to attack the schools or police).

cmon ladies.....

GET A LIFE!!!

so what....your kid got bullied.....WELCOME TO THE WORLD!

to teach your child that whining, crying and complaining like a baby about something so trivial that is prevelant the world over, well, that's just SAD.

i hope your child doesn't get a hangup about crying about bullies....when she's an adult and she gets bullied, there's likely nowhere to go for her but to herself!

i hope she doesn't feel as if no one is now there for her to fight with her as an adult against such trivial issues and then get so depressed about it she tries to hurt herself.

perhaps you should TEACH your child productive, meaningful ways to overcome such small, little issues that life throws at all of us every single day.....you know, things like, it doesn't matter what OTHER people say behind your back, they aren't true friends; it doesn't matter what others think of you, it matters what YOU think of you and of those you love and matter to you.

yea right.....'teach the child to be a whining little cry-baby'.....that's exactly what we need in the USA.....as if the other 299 million whining lemmings in this country weren't enough.

And people are surprised when incidents such as Columbine happen.

Stop being such a drama queen Beth.

It amazes how thin the skin is of this generation. The parents only compound the problem with their babying.

Im sorry your daughter felt threatened but did she really feel scared they would hurt her or was that you forcing her to say it just to make your case sound stronger?

This video was obviously a joke video. Kids are cruel and that is a fact. but that doesn't mean every kid that plays a mean prank is going to "pay it forward" stab your kid.

Relax Beth it's only the interwebz.

"have you folks who are talking about “bullying” seen the video? There is a difference between bullying and terrorizing. That was terrorizing. And to the guy who said she should just “retaliate to get them to stop”, yeah, thats a great idea. Let violence and terror spawn more violence and terror. Furthermore, how can the girl not be “too sensitive”. she’s not even a teenager yet for goodness sake!"

have YOU seen it? And yet some of you are talking about suspensions and criminal prosecutions, without even seeing the evidence! Double standard much?

C'mon, Beth. Give it a rest. As a recent high school graduate, it's easy to pinpoint this woman–and many of the other women on here–as that same overbearing, overinvolved mom overreacting to every little thing. Piper certainly is the victim here–of both the other girls and her mother. How does a kid rebound socially from a case this size?

Obviously the other girls have done wrong and should be punished, but kids that age do screw up. They need to learn that what they did was wrong. They aren't likely to do it again.

I don't understand why the older generations seem to think a big response is needed when the word "cyber" is thrown in. Kids need to learn the consequences of their actions, but they'll never learn if all their internet use is restricted and watched. The first thing they'll do is go to the girl's house whose mom doesn't care and record it there–there will always be that person. It's elementary.

Sure, it sucks to be bullied, but it sucks a lot more now that everyone knows about it. Sorry, Piper.

Adam, I respectfully disagree...the parents are the problem here, how can we count on them to teach their kids right from wrong if they don't know the difference themselves?

And bullying has gone way past the point of simply "being mean" these days, it's harassment, and everyone is turning the other cheek because maybe it doesn't affect them. When there are threats made that include death I think the law does need to get involved, no matter the age of the kids. Mandated family counseling is also a nice thought but if the parents are inept its like trying to stop the wind from blowing.

I've seen situations similar to this when the bullies were part of the "good ole' boy" network, and maybe weren't held accountable because daddy is friends with the principal or mom is bowling partners with the law. It depends on who you are, like with everything in life, and everyone is playing with a different rulebook.

I'm so sick to death of kids being horrible to each other and parents justifying it by saying "kids will be kids". This type of behavior may seem like just kid stuff right now, but it normally escalates to real and violent crime. If kids are desensitized to the suffering of their age-mates, what makes us think they can find value in a human life?

If my tax dollars go to helping one child with the suffering of this CRIME, sign me up.

Allan: you sound like a bully yourself, suggesting that those who get their feelings hurt after being threatened need to learn to take a joke. Just goes to show that bullies don't always grow out of their antisocial behavior.

This is response to a post/comment here saying to stop blaming parents for their childrens actions. Are you serious? As a parent, you are utimately responsible for your childrens actions. I agree that the actions of a 17, 18yr are harder to control, but the children in this ariticle are 11 and 12, and if they are bullying, harrassing etc that is DUE TO BAD PARENTING and not outside influences. Bet if those parents had the child who was being bullied and not the one doing the bullying, they would see it a whole different way. Bet they would not be saying, Suck it up, it happens, they are just children. They would be demanding justice just as the mother in the article is demanding. A lot of todays children have not a clue what punishment, discipline or responsibility is. They are ill-manner, ill-behaved, and uneducated because of bad parenting.

When parents do not have what it takes to teach compassion and tolerance to their children, then the law must step in to protect the innocent. Any kind of bullying is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age. It speaks volumes about our nation. We have a responsibility to provide sensitivity training to parents and children. Our education system is maxed out but this is another area in which we as a society will pay a hefty price if we don't provide training and intervention.
I am glad to see the courage Piper and her mother are displaying. Too many of our children are being victimized. Thank you for stepping up to the challenge of changing this cruelty that seems to be showing up everywhere lately.

You know, in the real world, these people would have been prosecuted, or at least could have a restraining order placed on them or something. If these kids weren't in 6th grade, but were rather in graduate school, would you all be saying "stop whining?" or would you say "call the cops and file charges?"

Bullying is simply assault, battery, and harassment, that is deemed socially acceptable because of the age of the offenders. But if these bullies were 15 years older, they'd likely have legal trouble right now.

Who buys video cam for these girls to make the video?

Who allowed these girls access to software to make this video?

Who bought the computer to comprise the video on?

Who bought the net connection to allow this video to be uploaded online?

Who is responsible for supervising these children while they play online?

The parents.

Who is at fault?

The parents.

You know what turns kids into Columbine and Vtech shooters? Ignoring these issues.

Yes, the school should suspend every child who makes a threat against another child.

Parents would lose money staying home from work, get to know their little devils a bit more, and pretty quickly, kids would shut their mouths and start putting their heads in their books.

Kids should just fight back physically? Ridiculous. How is a school full of fear and fist fights any better? What's your exit plan on that, cowboy?

My son was being bullied, and we called the cops. We suspect it was not only the child, but also the parent because the nature, tone & vocabulary of the threatening messages took a much more advanced tone than a 5th grader could piece together in such a short span that this even occurred.

Good luck to you Beth and Piper.

I'll end with this....what would the reaction have been if it were BOYS teasing a girl? Much more harsh if you ask me.

plain & simple: proscute the parents. Have the kids temporarily (if not longer) taken away from them until they got their act together and that they would have to perform a max of hours of child parenting progam or such. If they were neglegent at their house, child services would've taken them away without hesitation, school shouldn't make any difference.

Come on, enough's enough. No one's should be above the law, though due to the sherrif and the school staff's lack of moral, some are.

"it’s called self-respect….and some people have little of it"

Thanks for proving your own point by example, Gary.

The school system is not responsible for disciplining students for stuff done away from school.

But the school system is responsible for protecting students when they are at school.

Any student who threatens to assault or kill anyone (via video, in person, letter, etc) is a potential threat to every other student in the school. And the school system should act accordingly.

It would help if the school system took vigorous actions against the person making the threats – daily inspections of book bags, mandatory counseling at school, etc.

Make the person who made the threat demonstrate they have changed and are no longer a threat to others.

I was bullied in middle school. The school administration, teachers, parents, other kids, don't usually help. It is rare that they do. Ultimately I went up to the leader of the pack and asked her to leave me alone, and it worked. She finally left the school. And other students fought back too. Unfortunately you have to fight back. There is no other way. You have to give them a dose of their own medicine and usually they are surprised because they think they are wonderful people. Bullies usually scare easily. They are like the lion in the wizard of oz.

Send her to a different school! Don't be stupid. Who can say if the threat was NOT real? There is still a chance that it WAS. Get her out of there because it is obvious that no one is willing to protect her in any fashion. Or even better yet, expel the girls who made the video, permanently. There is a better solution. Who knows who will be their next target?

Bullying should never be taken lightly whether it’s common or not! That is a pretty sad thing to have happen to your child, Beth. I can only imagine the frustration and anger you have towards these children (and non-caring parents).
Yes, I think action should be taken against these children. It seems everyone wants to do something when it’s too late. No life needs to be lost before something is done. That might be extreme but the title is “Top Six Ways to Kill Piper”.

what happend to the lady in the first video is exactly what happend to me. and they even tried to contact my family to convince them that i was crazy so nobody would believe it was happening to me. it didn't stop until i went to the fbi.

"I guess if you can’t beat em, join em? Let me take a wild guess Gary, you don’t have kids do you?"

No, I'm still a college student. And actually, neither of us are bullies, as the guy hasn't bullied anyone else, to my knowledge. The guy and 2 o his friends (he was actually more of a sidekick) were making fun of me because I made the varsity soccer team while they did not, now we play soccer together during the summers.

And when I have kids, I will teach them about self-respect, honor, and standing up for themselves...my parents taught it to me and look where it got me...not being bullied. Shocker, I know.

thats actually kind of funny, and on top of that its no different then normal bullying, except now parents are too sensitive and so are kids.

"As a parent, you are utimately responsible for your childrens actions."

If your kid becomes a bully's buddy and looks on as my kid is bullied, I won't sue you, but I'll gladly accept your college savings to use for my kid...

please check out this video which is exactly what my cyber bullying developed into

youtube.com/watch?v=sV_I7cgkqXc

also, you might want to educate on another tool that bullies/stalkers like to use

youtube.com/watch?v=YWjer8Fhzh0&feature=PlayList&p=48E11398B3258AD6&index=0

These kids arent even old enough to get into a movie over PG. What should the mom do? Ignore it? Cause that has worked really well so far... What did the Columbine parents say? "Oh yeah, they were working on a big project in the garage." Turns out it was a sawed-off shotgun project. I'm not saying these girls would do that. Nor was it necessarily the parents fault entirely as the Columbine kids were much closer to adulthood. I'm just saying they need to understand what they have done, and the girl who is the victim needs to feel safe at school. The parents of ALL of these children need to know WHAT they are doing ALL OF THE TIME! They are little kids! Barely out of elemenary school!

Sheesh. First of all, bullying has always existed and will continue to exist. Just because this case has bled into the internet doesn't change a thing. Now the media is parading this boring middle class kid (with her boring middle class problems) around like some kind of freakish spectacle. If that little girl is anything like her super-mom, then I think the bullying makes sense. How about you teach your kid to stand up for herself and maybe give someone a fat lip for that stupid vid. Give up this attempt to censor the internet before the entire nation hates you and your weird kid.

Please, don't make a display of your daughter and the other girls.
They are all children. They don't deserve to be put in stocks on the internet town square. They all need counseling.

I am so sorry that you're going through this Beth. Gay and lesbian children go through horrible situations like this, being terrorized on a daily basis. For myself it began when I was about 10 years old and continued long after I was out of school. I tried so hard to be "normal" and make it stop, and was unable to tell anyone out of shame. The positive here is that you know what your daughter is going through, the community now knows, and you're a good mother, involved with your child's life. There are several options of ways in which you can channel this energy into positives. The most important thing is to build strength – inner strength from the challenges you're facing. It will prove an important "life skill" for your daughter to learn how to build courage and wisdom. And be thankful that this is not a daily act of emotional and physical abuse from a wide array of her peers in the community as it is for most gay and lesbian children. God bless

I would venture to bet that, if a court were to award the Smith family private school teachers, or, pay for transportation, room, board, and private school tuition/fees/books... etc; in order to afford equitable education, that Piper can no longer receive at the school, then, and only then, would school systems and officials take action to stop bullying in the school. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a system where me an my freinds formed a little "bayou hooligan" gang.. .of sorts, so we had our own "justice"system at the end of a set of fists. These days "that's barbaric" seaux, ya just can't do that anymore. I guess we are much more civilized now! MAKE THE SCHOOLS PAY FOR THEIR INCOMPETANCE!

"Just goes to show that bullies don’t always grow out of their antisocial behavior."

Or perhaps people get bullied in the first place because of"their antisocial behavior"?

blame eminem!

BAD PARENTING, its that simple. why do people have children if they can't take care of their little angels. folks, throwing money at your children and expecting the school to raise your children is bad parenting, or not parenting at all. its really pathetic to say that you have no control over your 11-12 year olds. Spend time with your child and find out what they're doing...or not doing for God's sake.

The video was not made or posted at school...this is a civl matter not a school matter. Schools are not resposible for students when they are at home...the parents are! The schools should monitor the behavior and protect the students while they are at school,,,but the punishment for this should not be from the school. It did not happen there! The punishment is a civil matter!

I don't think it's just the methods of bullying have changed, kids are much crueler. I'm only 24, I wasn't in school too long ago and I was teased for being chubby, my brother was teased for his bad acne, a friend of mine was teased for being short, whatever.

Today kids are calling each other horrible names (there's another article on Sexual Bullying on the front page), alluding to sexual orientation or promiscuity. This girl is only ELEVEN years old and people at school are talking about ending her life. In the other article they mentioned a bully saying the kid had no reason to live.

People saying "sticks and stones"...that doesn't apply anymore. The kids aren't calling victims names, they're saying much worse. If a group of people said you had no reason to live and talked about killing you, would you brush that off? That would be hard to take as an adult, but this girl is a child. I don't know how you can expect kids to deal with this level of harassment at such a young age. I applaud her mother for going after the school and the police. She shouldn't stop until the bullies have been punished and all parties have been reprimanded for failure to take action. If the kids ACTUALLY killed her daughter, the public would be outraged. Since it didn't go that far, many of you are saying it's rediculous for her parents to take action against the school and law enforcement? Seriously?! Guess we'll just wait for the murder next time.

been there May 27th, 2009 1:30 pm ET

The first thing you need to realize is – these children one, took a lot of pleasure from this and secondly were very powerful while they were doing it. If you do not do something these kids will move on to other victims and most likely the behavior will only strengthen.

Please understand NO ONE is going to protect your child. Only you can do that. I took my kids bullies and their parents to civil court. Yes, I sued them for what they did and not only made the parents pay (boy did they learn a lesson) but also, as part of the deal the children had to attended counseling for bullies. It was painful, and a blessing. Your child has nothing to be ashamed of and by calling the bullies out and bring the actions into the light victims can walk away knowing they are not to blame, and not the ones that should be punished.

-----

*ROBUST STANDING OVATION*....*SECOND CURTAIN CALL*

Am I missing something here, or isn't what these girls did considered a death threat? If a reference to "kill" anyone had happened in the workplace, the offender(s) would be terminated immediately. The workplace has the obligation to protect it's employees. Don't the school systems also have this same obligation to protect the students? (By the way, some would call this a RIGHT instead of an obligation.) In the wake of many public school tragedies, I can't understand how those girls are still allowed to attend the same school, and I certainly don't understand why they are required to go through a counseling program along with their parents.

Maybe the detectives and the school district should do a little research about how situations do get out of hand. In 1992 a friend of mine was brutally murdered by girls she thought were "friends". Shanda Sharer was 12, the 4 other girls were not nuch older than her. Children don't really understand the depth of their actions or words until someone gets hurt.
The school should install whatever protection necessary to protect the children. The civil rights of the girls involved in making the video were revoked by their actions.
Look up in the Crime Library to read about how sorry other potential murderers are now.

Hang in there, you DO have more support than you know. Your principal was overheard telling another teacher that he thought the girls that made the video were "smart and creative." Your principal should be fired! The teacher he spoke to has told her family and other about this and everyone is horrified.

You should sue the parents of the other girls. The Pierce County Sheriff should be fired too. These are the kinds of kids that wind up murdering dozens of kids when they get to high school- and your Sheriff would be laughing over dead kids.

I would make sure that these girls names get out and everyone stays vigilant and make sure that every school they attend knows – as do the parents – that they have already threatened to kill another student. It should be on their school records so that no college will ever accept them and every parents knows that these girls are NOT acceptable to be around and should be watched before they do hurt someone.

Perhaps in time the other kids will learn to voice how they really feel about these seriously disturbed girls.

Their parents are just worthless scum. Some people should never have been allowed to have kids. Why isn't social services stepping in and removing these girls from their homes to ensure that they are in an environment where they can learn right from wrong? Their parents obviously can't handle the job!

What I don't understand is how schools came to be responsible for the actions of students outside of school property and hours. This happened on her parents watch. Piper admitted that in school the girls were no threat to her. The video, as horrifying as it is, was made off school property, not during school hours. Would the school be reponsible for discipling these students for other acts that did not happen on school property or during school hours. I am absolutely not condoning the behavior of the other girls. They should be held accountable, but by their PARENTS who are supposed to be raising emotionally healthy, productive members of society, and possibly the judicial system, but not by the schools. We have turned into a society that expects the school system to raise our children.

Response to Adam, Get Real Dude, ever hear of Columbine? Bullying – Cyber or Otherwise – is not "Mean" it's destructive and Parents do need to be held accountable. Sometimes getting the authorities involved is the only way to do that. And counseling and monitoring for the bullies, not only the victims, it necessary to make sure these girls (and others like them) stop heading down the road to becoming sociopaths. – then my tax dollars will be spend in prosecuting, housing and feeding them. A little now prevents a lot latter – do the math

Reading some of the responses on this thread I can't help wondering what this country and its parents are coming to. These are kids. Kids are not little adults. They are immature human beings. They often do stupid, cruel and inappropriate things (yes your little darlings included) without fully understanding the meaning or consequences of their actions. But they are capable of distinguishing right from wrong up to a point and they have to learn what is socially acceptable and what is not. It is the responsibility of the parents and the school to discipline these kids and discipline them severely. Bullying should be a serious offense at any school and the punishments should be severe, effective and immediately enforced. If the school system officials don't understand how to do that, they need to be replaced and instead of whinig you need to get off your pathetic lazy butts and get something organized to force your school system to be held accountable for its failure to address this problem. I took my kids out of the public school system precisely because of this lack of accountability on many issues.
Getting law enforcement involved at this stage frankly is just sick. Police and prosecutors are not social workers, nor can you trust them to be. Law enforcement may well have good and caring people working in it...sometimes.., but you don't know who they are, and it contains many people who get total job satisfaction by effectively destroying the lives of other people who they deem to be lawbreakers. Society has decided that this is sometimes necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of the larger population, but these are not the people who should be correcting obnoxious behavior of children. Get real!!

As a parent, I am fully on Beth and Piper's side here. I would like to know what Beth thinks would be an appropriate resolution to the issue? Should the girls be moved to another school? Go to juvenile detention? Take sensitivity training? A lot of her frustration seems to stem from the fact that neither the school nor the police took her seriously. But if they did, what would the next step(s) be?

Beth,

Please persevere because, bottom line...what's happening – be it Piper or any child is wrong. It's horrifying to think that this is becoming more common place and the school administrators and your city's local authorities are not stepping up on Piper's full defense to get wrongdoings like this stopped. What I wonder is "Why arent' they (the school administrators and the police dept) standing up for what's right? Their lack of handling this correctly and ethically would be different if it were happening to their child. Maybe someday it will.... given the universal principle that exists in life, Law of Karma (what goes around comes around) a.k.a. People reap what they sow.. ;-(
Is there any way to be in touch with you directly, Beth?

I tell you right now, if my boys ever come home and tell me something like this I will not hesitate to pull them out and take action against the school and also to put pressure on law ebforecement, we are allowing these children to act like this – this behavior goes beyond normal, they are acting out a murder and how they can get away with it. I would have a few choice words to tell law enforcemnet, judges and the state as well !

This is a fact of life in schools today – Children aren't held accountable, nor are the parents of these children! My daughter from age 7 on, has been repeatedly harrassed by 2 girls and even today gets verbally abused by these two individuals and my daughter is 13! Yes, 6 years she's been ridiculed, pushed around, death threats, verbally and mentally abused. We had it go all the way to the Super of Schools to try and get this stopped. The only thing that was done was the girls were talked to. At one point both of them went after my daughter on the play ground, she defended herself, and yes – my daughter was the only one to get detention. The other two play'd the teaches and made it sound like our daughter attacked them. My daughter has show "great" restraint for a child thoughout this whole ordeal.

What bothers me most is that these two girls have teachers who don't believe they could harm a flee, they're teachers pets and the teachers take sides because they have relationships with thier parents. And, even worse, the first thing that will come out of the parents mouths are statements like "not my child!" or "my child would never do something so mean!" Yet, here they are – and today kids all over the world have to deal with the consequences of not being held accountable for their actions – even at a young age. I "know" my child is no saint! I research first and speak last – I find out by speaking with both sides and listening to both side. I look at the facts before I pass judgement on what they have or have not done. If my child is inocent or has not done something to provoke a reaction then I will back her up. Otherwise, she'll have some explaining to do because I do hold them accountable.

Why can't parents learn, as well as the children, that a potential consequence to this type of treatment historically has a very bad ending! This girl will be looking over her shoulder for years, it'll affect her grades, attitude towards others, and will scar her psycologically for the rest of her life!

Beth, hire a lawyer and sue the parents of the girls who took to bullying your child. Children live what they learn so they come prepackaged in the bully form once they leave the home and hit the school grounds. Force the school to make note of this bullying in the school files of these bullies so that if at anytime it resumes against your child or any other during their school years (right up until graduation) that the girls responsible can receive the appropriate punishment. Don't rely on the school to do the right thing, they always operate under a progressive tolerance policy which leaves little or no protection for the child being bullied. Be sure to contact the police ever time it happens. We went through this with our youngest son and it wasn't until we threatened a law suit, restraining order and the six o'clock news that they finally sat up and took notice. Continue to be strong for your daughter and don't take any lip service from the school or the police.

Seriously, get over it. You have the audacity to complain in the national media about something that's been happening in various ways to kids throughout history? And then you complain about civil rights trumping over-exaggerated fears? You're setting a horrible example to your child. It's disgusting.

Jeff, you say that parents lose control because of "outside influences they can't control"? How. If they are a good parent, there is no outside influences you can't control. If you don't have time to see who your child's friends are, if you can't control what they watch on TV and at the movies, what they read (if they read), and what they see online, then you are simply not doing your job as a parent (or are a bad parent.)

While growing up, I was a kid constantly pushing the boundarys, and even with both of my parents working 2 jobs most of my life to get by, they still managed to know who I hung out with, what I watched on TV (and kept me from watching things I shouldn't), and once we got a computer, blocked certain things being able to be browsed. I can't say they were perfect, but they were parents and tried, which is more than can be said for most people today.

On the flip side, the second best example of a bad parent here is the mother who is brainwashing her daughter into believing that if something goes wrong it is always some other person's responsibility to right that wrong when she should be teaching her daughter how to right it herself.

"How is a child supposed to develop as a person and learn about real life? "

Uhhh...in "real life", if you post a video threatening to kill someone, you get in a lot of trouble. Or should. Seems to me the bully girls are being coddled and shielded from real life.

"Stepping on someone's toes" is telling them you don't like the color of their t-shirt. Threatening to kill them in a very public way is an entirely something more and much worse. You want someone to learn about real life? How about the girls who did the deed, not the victim. Lots of bad things happen in real life, and we don't just tell people to buck-up and put up with it. We tell them to take a power position and take action. This mom is taking action, and I bet that her daughter, Piper, will be someone who someday stands up for the rights of everyone here, even the miserable hate-filled stick-your-head-in-a-hole-and-pretend-nothing-is-happening people.

Thank you, Piper, for standing up for anyone who has ever had to put up with idiots and wanted to say "enough" but didn't have the guts to.

Ok....to those of you who believe that the judicial system has no jurisdiction in this matter, remember: The video is called "How to Kill Piper".

Take that fact in again.

It is hard to draw conclusions without seeing hte actual video, but by the sound of the title, there was at least some feigned interest in causing real physical harm to this girl. Causing physical harm or the threat of physical harm IS a matter for the justice system. In fact, that is a large portion: assault, battery, attempteted murder, conspiracy to comit a felony etc.

These children need to be punished at some level beyond the reach of the school district and the parents. This is a matter for the juvinal judicial system.

[...] Read full story here – Mom Wants Cyberbullies Punished [...]

If an adult makes a video detailing six ways to kill, say, his or her boss, co-worker, neighbor, etc., woudn't that individual be charged with make a deadly threat against another person? Certainly. So why shouldn't the punks who created this video not be charged with the same? And don't give me that crap about their being juveniles. If they are old enough to think of ways to kill somebody, they're old enough to be held accountable under the same laws that apply to adults.

This lady is insane, and now her kid's probably going to be ridiculed in person at school.

Christopher May 27th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

Stop being such a drama queen Beth.

It amazes how thin the skin is of this generation. The parents only compound the problem with their babying.

Im sorry your daughter felt threatened but did she really feel scared they would hurt her or was that you forcing her to say it just to make your case sound stronger?

This video was obviously a joke video. Kids are cruel and that is a fact. but that doesn’t mean every kid that plays a mean prank is going to “pay it forward” stab your kid.

Relax Beth it’s only the interwebz.

-----

i disagree. when my situation developed to my cell phone conversations and daily interactions being repeated on the website mediatakeout.com i was terrified. i didn't know if someone had broken into my home or bugged my house. i was force to make the decision to buy a fire arm and receive training in the event i would be forced to protect myself and my children. it is extremely terrifying and stressful

Someone said it here on your post. The only solution is to "take out the main bully" . Whether you the parent, or an older sybling do it, it's the only real solution. Make these kids so scared they will never want to be near you or your family ever again...EVER

EXPULSION. How many future bullies would learn from these young
ladies if they could be expelled as they should be.

What about the rights of the child being bullied! It makes me angry that everything else is given such thought except for the child being bullied.

I have a child that was bullied in cyberspace. This went on for a while without my child telling me, suffering in silence and embarrassment until it escalated to threatening level. Appalled, I printed out the exchange, drove to the bully's house and stayed at the front door until I could speak in depth with a parent. When I spoke to the mom, I nicely explained the situation which she wouldn't believe at first until I showed her the print out which her bully used own first and last name. Thankfully, my child's situation seems to be resolved and the bully apologized and was punished the parents.

Hey parent's reading this in a similar situation: keep any electronic or paper record of those mean exchanges. If the school, law enforcement or parents won't do anything, maybe a harassment lawsuit will get someone's attention...just saying

Bullying is not against the law, Adam, but THREATENING to kill another person surely is! Why do we prosecute some students who make lists of people to kill and not these girls? Because they are little girls? They are just as capable as boys - there's a double standard being used by the sheriff's department making it much harder on the family of the victim.

Just before my son entered high school, a girl in the neighborhood told him that "Chris and Mike and their friends with guns didn't want [my son] going to that school". I called the school, I called the police. Their response? The school: "he can go to peer counseling". The police officer: "I have my own kids to worry about".

I can certainly understand this mother's frustration.

Your daughter will be fine because she has you. The girls who threatened Piper need punishment and long term counseling WITH their parents!

Talk to the kids = in one ear and out the other
Take stuff away or ground = they don't care
Spank or grab = same people saying kids are terrors call cops=
you go to jail

I agree that kids like this get their behavior from their parents. There are a lot of grown women and men who are lying, gossiping, connivers and they raise kids that watch them and learn to behave the same way. Those same little girls will grow up to be the women gossiping and carrying tales in the workplace and the boys will grow up to be either the thugs on the streets or the backbiting, theiving wall street crooks with a lots of money and ZERO character.

The moral problems we face as a society are reflected day in and day out in the news through child suicides due to daily harrassment from other students or just as this article, a girl victimized by other kids that were supposed to be her friends. Our schools need Jesus, but they don't want Him. They don't want God at all and thus we have a morally deprived culture where character in adults and children is darn near completely lacking.

And furthermore... for you and the rest of the "sorry they got caught" crowd. I shouldn't have to tell you this since you already know it: You cannot get a sincere apology from anyone on demand. Not from kids, not from teenagers, and not from adults. You pushing them through the media isn't going to change that, not now and not ever. Over time, the kids will grow up and will likely have a sincere apology for your daughter. Then and only then will you give it.

The real reason why the district and the sheriff's office isn't doing more to help you: You're acting like a child yourself.

Maybe you shouldn't have named your daughter Piper. That right there subjects her to getting bullied.

John Allentown was smart to get the State police to help. My Internet provider told me to contact my local autorities about a similar kind of harassment but the cops in my town of Brookline, MA yelled at me for bothering them. The detective essentially told me it's not his job. I think the real reason is that he doesn't know how to deal with it. I should have gone to the State Police.

It will probably take another 50 years and another 50 suicides before schools will admit that bullying even exists. They won't even use the word, or if they do, they slap legal mumbo-jumbo on it like.. "perceived bullying," then they put all the blame on the victim to make the changes. The schools are totally wimps when it comes to dealing with these issues. Probably because they're taking all their advice from those other bullies, the school attorneys..

Unfortunately, the concept of "personal responsibility" is nearly gone from our society. After every unfortunate event everyone involved runs around trying to cover themslves by pointing their fingers at as many others as they can in order to deflect direct responsibility.........sad. Then all we are left with is a victim that has to live in a state of fear and/or humiliation in the wake of a society that refuses to deal with its problems. If you are convinced that those who are abused go on to abuse others, be just as sure that those who shirk personal responsibility will teach others how to avoid it, also.

I meant to say "Then and only then will you get it."

I agree with Jill, this is definitely bad parenting, if my boys were the ones doing the bullying, let me tell you they would regret it – however I teach them to be good and I set a good example as far as kindness and treating others as you want to be treated.

Piper be strong, not everyone is like this – unfortunately these children are cruel. However pracitce caution and above all don't let them steal your happiness, eventually these kids will have to deal with their actions and I don't know too many who want to associate with these type of cruel kids.

To those who claim no law was broken, there are laws against threatening harm to another person – those laws are assault laws. Furthermore, it is against the law to threaten to or to incite others to commit murder. This is a serious crime, and needs to be treated as such. People who don't take it seriously will find it turns into a Columbine.

What's the worst the school can do? Expulsion? Juvenile criminal? These are the questions that need to be answered first. Also, it is not up to the Sheriff whether or not they should press charges and/or go to court. The option is still on the table.

The parents should be the ones (in addition to the girls) to be punished. My recommendation for the girls: expulsion and applicable juvenile charges with, at a minimum, community service. For the parents: civil lawsuit against the parents of the girls (optional).

There needs to be an example made here. This, thankfully, never got out of control to include assault, battery, and/or murder. Something needs to be done here and justice has missed the opportunity.

I am SO confused...HOW is it the school districts responsibility to punish these kids???? Did they make the movie AT school?

Yes districts have the responsibility to protect their students but lets be realistic. Yes what these girls did was wrong...but they were EXPELLED! The district CAN'T do anything else. If they started searching backpacks parents would go into HYSTERICS.

Parents need to be more responsible. Teach your kids right from wrong. Teachers have your kids for 6 hours a day (not even half a day!) for HALF the year. Why does all the responsibility fall on teachers and administrators who dont even have your kids HALF the time!?

If you want to feel safer homeschool. OR better yet, volunteer in your child's classroom. Until you spend the day in the shoes of a school administrator don't tell me they aren't working hard enough.

Get off your high horses and go volunteer at school to help your kids be safer. Until then...stop whining.

I was bullied for most of my grade and high school days. By high school it was threats of being beaten up. I always waited for the day it would happen, but it never came. I stayed strong, found a small circle of supportive friends and dove into my homework and other activities.

Now, I am successful. Almost finished with my masters and working at a great company with a very well paying job. I have a husband and little boy who are the light of my life and a great group of friends. I know where each and everyone of those bullies ended up. Living in the same small town I came from and working (or not working) at dead end, meaningless jobs. Many are divorced and miserable. So to them I say, bring it on. Look at who it made me.

Linda Pike May 27th, 2009 2:04 pm ET

John Allentown was smart to get the State police to help. My Internet provider told me to contact my local autorities about a similar kind of harassment but the cops in my town of Brookline, MA yelled at me for bothering them. The detective essentially told me it’s not his job. I think the real reason is that he doesn’t know how to deal with it. I should have gone to the State Police.

------

my local police department refused to even file a complaint unless the criminal made direct contact with me. at a minimum, file a report with the FBI online- https://complaint.ic3.gov

So what do you want them to do Beth? What else can they do to 11yr old kids? The have diciplined them, already. LET IT GO!!. Kids are mean and that is not going to change. They will grow out of it. You want their lives ruined?

Bullying is part of life and as long as there is no physical harm, they should learn to deal with it. I am tired of parrent protecting their kids from everything that might get their feelings hurt.

B.

My heart goes out to the mom and the daughter. I know that sickening feeling the mom has when she sends her daughter to school. I went through something similar with my son the past 2 years. The school has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for our kids. This is not being provided. Students are being taught that bullying is acceptable and no actions are being taken to stop this behavior. My son was asked by our district "bullying expert" what he thought HE was doing that caused him to be bullied! She pretty much sent the message to my son that he somehow did soemthing that caused him to be bullied. This is the mentality that exists in the school districts. Oprah Winfrey recently had two mothers on her show who had boys that killed themselves beacuse they were being bullied at school (both boys were just 11 years old.) I happened to tape that show and gave it to my son's Princial and advised her as a Princiapl and a parent that she should watch it. She has since loaned it to the school counselor for viewing. Parents need to watch their kids behavior closely and ask them each day how their day was and keep the lines of communication open. If there are any indications your child is being bullied, don't wait. Contact the Principal immediately. Keep on them until you feel (and your child feels) comfortable. Laws do need to be enacted to stop the bullying. It is not just something that kids do-it is very destructive and sometimes deadly behavior. I hope the mom and daughter in this story receive the support they deserve and I thank them both for coming forward with their story!

Gary I have heard of the word & i'm not exagerating. I am a parent & i do teach my children to stand up for themselves & to deal with people that are just plain mean. I'm raising them to be confident & strong, however if a "child" made a video telling people the best way to kill my child, yeah i'd be up in arms about it because i'd view it as a threat to my childs safety. Those little 11 year olds that you seem to think are angels & just kids being kids are the same ones that if they aren't taught there are consequences for their actions will also be the ones when they get to high school that may just act out their little video. Sorry, i dont' feel sorry for the "little girls". Sorry i've lived where those threats were dismissed as kids being kids & people ended up severely harmed & dead because of it. I'd rather children be taught that there are consequences for your actions even if it's just to protect 1 child.

Wow! Ive been spending much time with a lot of people, and I take it that theres a lot of drama going on in school. 6th graders, don't hate. They have this thing in them where they are jealous of the others lives. You must have something they need! I say: Ignore them, make true friends, and have fun! haha. You'll do good in life I promise. You'll have so much fun!

Keep up the fight! This happened to my 11 year old daughter 6 months ago. Almost the same exact scenario. School brought the 3 girls in to discuss, made them apologize and then life goes on. It sickens me that middle school students are capable of such hatred. I do believe there should be laws against this, even if the students are only 11 or 12 years old. Fortunately, my daughter has a new group of friends and is doing fine, but I'm not sure I'll ever get over it.

Its not the school or government's responsibility to parent peoples children. This could have been easily avoided if the parents of this child taught their kid some better social skills, but given their response to this issue, maybe they don't have many to offer. Reguardless, this incedent could have been avoided if her daughter just knew how to fit in. Kids are bullied because they don't have adequate social skills, and the fix is simple

Yay! Go Piper and Beth!!! I salute the both of you for not staying silent on this issue.

For every one person that turns a blind eye on this issue, there are thousands supporting you! Bullying should not be "put up with".

It is scary, confusing, and extremely hurtful. I commend Beth for being the awesome mother she is and doing her best to support her daughter.

I also would like to tell Piper to "hang in there". The world is vast and although it's unfortunately sprinkled with annoying a#$*&, for the most part, you're bound to find your way to some friends (you can actually trust).

To those who so easily jump on the bandwagon of criticizing the school administration and law enforcement, keep in mind you are hearing just one side of the story and that story is loaded with presumptions of school district and law enforcement motives and responses and assumes much in the responses of the offenders. The mother complains that it took 2-3 days for the school administrator to issue a letter summarizing their response and steps to ensure her daughter's safety at school. She then neglects to tell us the school's response and the safety steps. That the school took time to respond tells me it likely looked into the matter carefully. I also know firsthand that properly investigating these matters takes considerable time. And, like it or not, the school's hands are tied regarding what it can reveal regarding the education or discipline of any student. The mother is lucky to have been told anything about how the other girls were disciplined. Lastly, as has been stated a few times, the district's jurisdiction over incidents that occur off school time or property is quite limited. If the bullying from the offending students does not reoccur, perhaps the steps taken were appropriate after all.

My daughter was bullied. Her wrist had been severely sprained playing volley ball, and the bullies purposefully damaged it further. When I complained to the school where it happened, the assistant principle laughed. Because she was literally defending her physical well-being, he punished my daughter right along with those who hurt her. She eventually quit school. (She later got her GED and joined the Navy).

If I had it to do over again, I'd have used every legal threat available to me to wipe the malicious smile off that man's face.

I'm glad that these people went public with this situation. Schools, especially middle schools, have become dangerous places to send our children. What kind of parent would feel comfortable at sending his/her child back into that melee?

piper and beth, i also went through this my whole grade school yrs.my problem that i am and was over weight and kids and yes grownups look at and treat heavy set people differently. i was bullied so badly i didnt want to go to school and i would pretend i was sick. in grade school there was a girl who had long nails and she would dig them into my skin until i bled. it wasnt very smart of me to let that continue but you will do almost anything for people to like you. it finally came to a head when about four or five girls beat me up. i had long hair at the time and it was braided, teh ripped out the braids so my hair was all hanging out, also one of the girls new karate and she used a karate move on me. this was on school grounds. when i got home and my mother saw what had happened she called the school right away and talked to the principal, fortunatly he was very understanding and he called the kids and their parents to the office. after i got out of grade school and went to junior high and high school i stood up for my self. its very hard to do sometimes.there are people who say i hold a grudge but when something like that happens to a child it is very upsetting. i went to high school with these people also, and i see them at the reunions and they are very friendly to me. they have forgotten. but i havent . this did happen yrs ago, i was in grade school in the early 70,s i dont know if bullying has gotten worse or is just more out in the open these days. but now like then people like to hurt people for reasons unknown, unfortunatly i dont think this will ever stop.i will pray for beth and piper tonight.

[...] May 27, 2009 at 1:28 pm (Parenting, US Education) Mom wants cyber bullies punished [...]

Also this goes to Bobbie:

It's because of that "it's okay" mentality that little 11-yr-olds (and younger) have lost their lives.

A stupid slap on the wrist is not a fitting punishment for bullying.

Also, where is your sympathy for the victim?

Oh, let me guess, is YOUR kid a bully too? Is it apparently obvious that maybe you aren't so great of a parent 'cause you have your little demon menace running around causing havoc?

You're probably piping mad right now because someone called your child "a demon". (if you had one) How bad would you feel if someone thought of 6 "best" ways to kill your kid and posted it on the internet for everyone to see?

Not very funny or OKAY, is it?

--------

Also, to the people who say, "what about the bullies... are you going to let this one small incident ruin their lives?"

I say this, "Of course not, but sadly, I can't say what THEY did didn't already damage their victim's life".

Well since these children are in 11&12 year old range, I do not believe that have any idea what that did was so serious. They probably looked @ it as a prank and not a serious threat.

The last thing they need is the law involved. You need to make those who shot the video have some form of counseling (The law/courts just make this worse) . This can be done by the school.

Not sure this fits the current situation, but with kids committing suicide because bullying the below is a good thing

And I think we need to add a lesson in school that seems to fallen by the wayside "Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" . Kids need to learn not to set their self worth based on other kids who bully them(This is a job for parents)

The other thing that needs to be brought back into the schools is corporal punishment.

Also this thing about expelling bad kids needs to stop, most of the kids do not want to be in school so while you think you are punishing them you are doing them a favor, their punishment should be more time in school.

Cyber-bullies? Please, I've had to deal with real bullies and physical violence as a youth. As the video is online, you can simply chose not to watch it. My advice is to hash it out with the parents and if that doesn't work, take care of it the way students have been for the past few hundred years; start throwing punches.

Suggesting that we do away with these inconvenient "civil rights" so that we can feel safer is repugnant. These rights are the very things keeping us from getting harassed by our schools, employers, and government every time someone gets the slightest bit offended.

I absolutely don't mean to make light of this piece but at first glance the title reads," Mom wants Cyber"
hmmmmm

You are so very brave and mature to go public with this and raise the awareness about to what kids have access in their free, unsupervised time. These "girls" (using the term loosely names should also be made public. They should be sentenced to community service so that they have something constructive to do with their downtime. Stay strong and you will not only survive, but thrive. The perpetrators will shrink into nothingness unless they are forced to see the damage they have done; not just to Piper and her family, but to all the kids they represent. To those girls: This is not a shining moment in your life. This is not fame, it's infamy. There are not enough words to describe the horrible, horrible thing that you have done (what in the world were you thinking? what good could ever come to you?) and the only recourse you have is to spend your lives making up for it by being the kind of people that others should emulate and admire not despise or, worse, recreate your actions. Grow up, girls. You have played with fire and have gotten off without so much as a blister. Actions like yours will not make it so easy the next time you do something this stupid.

Again; I see where the posts are all about how the parents are to blame. It is the way they were raised, the parents should be involved.
What a load of crap; Once a child begins school, their sphere of influence expands way beyond that of the parents control. Any good therapist will tell you that once a child starts school peer pressure and their friends / clicks exert more of an influence than their parents. How many of your parents wee involved in every single aspect of your life? Yes they cared they asked questions, and they tried to do due dilligence in checking up on you, but they were not in no way shape or form involved in every aspect of your life. The real difference was that back then, you were held responsible for your actions; in fact it was double trouble because you got it at school, then got it again when you got home. However; in today's society we keep shifting the blame from the child to the parent If poor little so and so had parents thatt were more involved this would not have happened.

Let's see...just using the word "kill" in this video should have local law enforcement scrambling. Bullying, whether it be over the internet or not is a serious subject. The internet just makes it easier for people to spread the gossip and slander. How many acts of violence in the schools come from kids being bullied or being labeled as outcasts. The probelm is that in this day and age the violence ends up with people losing their lives. Think about Columbine, or Megan Meier who took her own life after being bullied (albeit from a mom portraying herself as a 16 yr old boy) on a MySpace page. Some people on here have the moronic attitude that t his is all ok. Hey, they're just kids right. Bull Crap! If your child was a victim of any of this I bet your attitude would change quickly. Dont criticize ther parents who are suffering through this until you walk a mile in their shoes, or their childs shoes for that matter.

So I have read this story many times, and I have read the majority of the comments that are being left here. What I find amazing is that people are saying its the parents fault, or its the school's fault, but when do we start holding students accountable for their own actions?

You see this all the time with school violence. The first group to be blamed is usually the school for not doing anything about the bullying the second is then the parents, then society, peer pressure, etc., but we never make the person/people responsible for the action take responsibility.

It has been my experience that some students just don't care what happens to them at school, because nothing will happen to them at home. Like I previously stated I have read this numerous times and every time I read about the one father saying that he was busy making dinner and he would have to talk to them later, it makes my blood boil. That is a sign of a parent that doesn't care what happens. Their child could be caught holding a butcher's knife over a dead body and the would say "My child would never do something like that."

I wholeheartedly agree that both the school and parents should be held some what accountable but at the same time the person committing the act should come first. There are too many ways out in today's society for those that perpetrate these acts, and there is too little parental involvement both at home and at school, until something happens with their child. It is at that point and only then that this parent tries to become mother/father of the year.

I say fight back and fight hard. Help to send a message to everyone out there, that this is something we will not stand for.

I JUST READ CONNORS COMMENT, I THINK HE'S ON CRACK. KIDS WILL BE BULLIED WETHER THEY HAVE SOCIAL SKILLS OR NOT. WAS HE ONE OF THE BULLIES? IS HE TRYING TO JUSTIFY THE ACTIONS OF THESE LITTLE PRINCESSES?

Beth is just another in a long line who want to strike it rich without working through what they perceive to be a winnable lawsuit. However, such persons are usually of sub-intelligence to begin with, and having no legal knowledge or legal experience, they fail to see that if they choose to sue the District, they will fail.

The District reacted when it learned of the video. They investigated and they punished. As long as they followed their written procedures, the District has done all it is required to do.

Just because Beth is unhappy, that does not a lawsuit make. Oh sure, she'll find some bottom-feeding lawyer who will sue for her, but she won't win.

Sorry, no pay day for you Beth. No free ride for you. You'll have to keep working for it.

"Or perhaps people get bullied in the first place because of'their antisocial behavior'?"

Yeah, being short, tall, skinny, red-haired, or a glasses-wearer is totally antisocial. ::rolls eyes::

When I was 12 my "best friend" turned the whole grade against me, going so far as to say that I should (and would) kill myself, that I had an eating disorder because I was so skinny. It was the hardest year of my life, and I still think back on it and shudder.

... but then I remember that oh yeah I'm 25, happy, healthy, self-confident, and most of the people who turned against me turned against her the next... and the year after that it was someone else...

that's jr. high/high school for ya. Most people (even the bullies) come out okay.... if not better for it! I definitely thought twice about turning against the victims who came after me. This seems overblown.

TO LEGAL MINDED:

This should not be in the hands of the school to begin with; a threat was made to this woman's daughter and the creepy ghouls who did it are not having their feet held to the fire as they should. Damages have been done and, if they were adults, criminal acts would be recognized. They used threats and words similar to those of their age who have gone through with such actions and they should be held accountable. If a lawsuit is what it takes, then more power to her. The punishment that you speak of did not fit the crime. The damage done to this young girl is akin to sexual harrassment in the workplace that the employee has to go back to everyday (only worse as sexual harrassment isn't a threat against one's life). Guess what? Those situations are actionable and suits are won. If that is the way she goes to get justice and safety for her child, more power to her. You are clearly not a parent.

re:hibsh

Thus I find myself wondering bad thoughts like what did Piper did to these little girls to make them put such an effort into harassing and threatening her. For all we know Piper is the bully and this is the reaction by her victims.

-----–

Were you home schooled? One doesn't have to do anything to kids, some are just born mean...

I take issue with this being called "bullying." Bullying is when one boy asks another for their lunch money and they decide who gets the money in a fight. Usually that's it. Alpha male established, no need to repeat the experience. This crosses the line into all out, anything goes, anti-social war. Think, for a moment, if this same story had been done about an adult and it was their coworkers who made the video. What do you think would have happened? Why? Sometimes adult-type punishment is appropriate for children who cross the lines of sociality this badly. At the very least the school should have said the perpetrators were a security risk to the other children who attend school there, and were not welcome back, ever. Then give the parents a list of the district alternative schools for children with problems like this.

But the bottom line is that the response of the school and the police is typical, and should give pause to any parent thinking of sending their child into the emotional meat grinder called "public school." If you can do anything else, do it. I was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a ninth grade boy when I was in eighth grade, at school, in the hallway, sometimes in front of teachers. When I told a counselor about it she said it was all my fault for not wearing trendy clothes. I eventually got over it and moved on with my life, but I would be stupid if I was not forewarned. My child will probably not set foot in a public school. Homeschooling is certainly an option, but so are private schools, as long as they don't mind unannounced parental visits.

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but a mean spirited cartoon will never hurt you.

Come on....quit with the mellorama. It's a mean CARTOON....it's not a threat, and it's no indication that the kids actually wanted to do harm to Piper. Piper will grow up not knowing how to develop a thick skin and to withstand adversity by watching her mom's overreaction to kids being kids. Kids are jerks....that's the nature of adolescents....c'mon, Beth, quit being hypersensitive. Life is full of adversity, and your girl needs to experience it from time to time in order to learn to deal with it. The American populace has grown weak and developed a "victim" mentality....quit asking "big daddy" (the government) to take care of you, and learn to toughen up a bit. Thank goodness we do not have to conquer an untamed continent with today's weak minded, "pussified" American populace.

My oldest son was bullied; that is why I began home schooling him in the first place. A boy in his kindergarten class harassed him, physically and verbally, stealing notebooks and tearing them up, tripping him, things like that, for the last couple of months of kindergarten. If we saw this boy and his parents outside of school, he was totally different than what I has personally observed at school. I asked my son to try to work things out, first, with the other boy. When that didn't work, I talked to the boy's parents, and to the school.

Everything quieted down, but the following year, in first grade, he was in the same class as this bully again. When it started up again, my son tried to work things out with the other boy, and when it again failed, I went to the kid's parents (again), and both of them laughed it off as "good-natured fun" between boys. When the boy began to make threats against my son, I went back to the kid's parents and was told, "Oh, we'll do something about it." When I spoke to his teacher and principal, I was told that I was making a mountain out of a molehill–even though my son's teacher had heard this other boy say numerous times that he wanted my son dead, and wished he could get his dad's gun to shoot him. This other boy's father was a policeman at the time.

Not a week after I had had my latest chat with the teacher and principal, my son called me very upset; we had given him a mobile phone for emergencies that he always kept in his backpack or pocket at school. I went to his school immediately and asked to see the principal, and told her my son had called me as recess, saying that several of his friends had told him that the bully had taken his father's gun and brought it to school, and that he was going to shoot my son after lunch.

Fortunately, the principal had a thinking moment, then, and followed school district procedures for such threats. Sad, isn't it, that any school district considers such a threat so likely or so common an occurrence that they have written SOPs for it, huh? They did find a loaded 9mm in the other boy's backpack; at least the safety was still on.

They suspended the other boy for a few weeks, but that was it. That was all that they were willing to do. They father was suspended from his job, too, although he was eventually allowed to return at a lower pay grade.

We discussed it long and hard, and opted not to sue the school, the teacher, or the principal, or the boy and his father. Not because we're ultra-wealthy and couldn't use the money. We took our oldest boy out of public schools forever that day. We opted not to sue because it just did not seem to be the best course of action for our son.

I agree with Neal that the students do need to be held accountable for their actions in this, but I don't think the parents are blameless. I also tend to agree that this is a matter that should have been, if at all possible, settled privately. This will follow Piper around for the rest of her public school career, and will give other students wherever she attends school, yet another excuse to harass her.

In Piper's case, from what I understand of the situation, this video was neither made nor distributed on school property or with school equipment, so I'm not entirely certain how reasonable it is to expect the school district to take the lead actions in this case. Seriously, shouldn't this be a non-school issue? Yes, if there's bulling/threatening going on at school, using school equipment, of course they should be involved. The lady who posted saying we need to stop expecting teachers and schools to raise our children is absolutely correct. We need to remember that we're the parents. I do think Piper's mom should have had a quiet word with the school administrator and her daughter's teacher, to apprise them of the situation. I also disagree that the web site that initially hosted the video should be sued; they provided a service, whose terms of service those girls violated. The website, if it has not already, should delete those girls' accounts and ban their ids permanently. But sue the website? No, I don't think that's appropriate.

I really feel for the hell that this little girl is going to go through over this.

"How is a school full of fear and fist fights any better? What’s your exit plan on that, cowboy?"

Fist fights (or threatening ro have them)should only be used in extreme circumstances. There's also sarcasm, witty words, embarassing tales, harmless but pranks that aren't fun for the victims, etc...and the "exit paln" is that ocne you stand up for yourself, THERE WILL BE NO MORE BULLYING.

As oppsoed to what exactly? Blabbing without any evidence (yes, most bullies don't make videos), making the bully ecven more mad and gettign the victim a bad reputation? Oh, and figuring out WHY you're being bullied, and then seeing if youare indeed doing anyhting wrong wouldn't help...sometimes there is nothing you can do, but sometimes you may change certain aspects of your behavior.

"If an adult makes a video detailing six ways to kill, say, his or her boss, co-worker, neighbor, etc., woudn’t that individual be charged with make a deadly threat against another person? Certainly. So why shouldn’t the punks who created this video not be charged with the same? "

Then what exactly is the point of having juvenile alws in the first place?

And no, you CANNOT be arrested for threatening to kill someone over a video un less there si credile evidence taht you meant what you said! (weapons in your house, kill notes, etc, a detailed paln, etc)

"Nice advice Gary… r u kidding me? Bullying needs to be stopped by the parents first and if that don’t work by the schools and law enforcement."

Oh great, let's brig in mommya nd daddy into middle school, into the classroom, perhaps while they're holding their kids' hand they can even listen to lectures to help the kids with the homework.

(sarcasm)...the sort of resposne that, if publically uttered, would embarass and shut someone up (like a bully) for good.

"I’m raising them to be confident & strong, however if a “child” made a video telling people the best way to kill my child, yeah i’d be up in arms about it because i’d view it as a threat to my childs safety. "

fair enough...just several holes to fill.

Have you seen this video? How do you know that the mom is not exagerrating?

Wuld you publicaly tell the emdia about a video of tha incident. I would perosnally call that child abuse!

and for the record, no, I do not think that those girls are "angels"! But I also don't think that if they meant it as a prank, it should bring them juvenile charges, expuslions, or even suspensions...because that would ruin their entire future, from college to work and onward.

Send them to counseling instead, have a meetign with the aprents, and explain tot hem why what they did is wrong and the consequences if they ever do anythign like it again.

[...] Mom wants cyber bullies punished The mother of a girl targeted in an online video by other girls says she wants more to be done in the case. [...]

There is no reason to bully a child or anyone for that matter online.

If an Adult is bullied, that ADULT needs to go after the bully and get recompense through the judicial system at all costs! Adults have the tools and ability to pursue such vermin.

There is no reason to sit back and play the victim role. The bottom line is that any grown up who is targeted online MUST respond by tracking down and hunting those who committed the acts against them. Law enforcement is usually available to assist in getting help for tracking online scum.
So for adults, I say, if someone assaults you online...chase them down and sue the miscreant.

Do whatever you need to do and for as long as you need to do it- to stop their criminal conduct. Most Adults have the tools and ability to end online assaults.

But in the case of children, it is truly pathetic that the laws on the books do not provide stiff penalties for such aberrant conduct. Children MUST be protected and thus far, the Internet is unpoliced and unsafe for kids (as far as Predators go).

The laws have to be changed otherwise the Predators, child molesters and other vermin that crawl on the Internet will have ample room to hide and target children.

Online criminals should be identified, tracked and hunted down like "real time" criminals. The online world is blended now with real time and so there is no reason to selectively enforce the law.

This is bullying on a whole new level and totally unacceptable. As someone who had to send a child to another school because of the bullying that was endured, I can tell you that if the parents think their little princesses are not wrong, you won't get anywhere. I can tell you that karma does work in mysterious ways as one of the bullying people was disgraced in a sexting incident. The parents were defending the child as the victim to the media and are suing the school. This child has to live with bad parenting their whole life. Piper at least you know that your mom loves you and will help you grow into a wonderful person

In a workplace, if colleagues create such a hostile environment, there are laws and sanctions. In school – nahhhh, blame the victim, everybody gets off, not like the administrators should work on discipline, parents and children should be accountable to the school community, and teachers should be supported in creating an environment where kids don't get this far in pressuring someone out of an education.

Piper is entitled to a thorough and efficient education. This does not include death threats. More needs to be done to make the school emotionally safe as well as physically better disciplined.

Oh wait, that would take actual work. Sorry.

Here's just a tad bit about what I've dealt with as far as schools and bullies. First of all, NOTHING would have been done about this incident with Piper if it didn;t make the news. Plain and simple. My son was assaulted 2 times last year and it was caught on school video. The school cop at the time said he viewed the video and my son was pushed so lightly he only took 2 steps back. Well, funny thing is I had 15-20 witnesses tell me this bully attacked him from behind, threw him up against the lockers and threw him up against the wall hard at which time another student stepped in and pulled the bully off my son. I asked to see this video and he told me because of privacy laws I couldn't. If just my son was in the video I could have, but being there were others in the video it would violate privacy laws. BULL CRAP! He also told me the kid was to young to press charges against. A week later a girl the same age beat the crap out of him in the girls bathroom and he filed assault charges. So, the same kid and one of his friends both attacked my son a few weeks later. I beat the principal to the office form home. I left and went right to the police department where we filed assault charges. I also got a restraining order against him for my son and daughter. He has violated it and the schools done nothing. This school also alows kids to fail and pass them to the next grade. One kid brought in a knife and he was made to apologize to the intendant victim and promise not to do anything. That was it!! This topic needs more coverage and school need to be held accountable.

A lot of people are saying its the parents fault that these girls made the video. I can't say I agree. If you were to make a video such as this you would have to have some psychiatric help, and it was the schools fault for not realizing this before hand. I know they're just 11 and 12, but they seriously need to be punished by law and they have to learn that even if they're joking something like this is severly unacceptable.

That sounds really ODD MM. If the video was to be used in investigating a criminal act against your son, it does not have that sort of blanket coverage you are describing.

I think that ADULTS ought to take action to stop bullying against their kids. If it occurs, it does not have to make the news to be redressed. There are many ways to work with the school and law enforcement to stop this.
HOWEVER... the main thing I am concerned about is how so many adults appear to roll over and play dead in the face of BRUTAL online assaults. Read my blog by clicking on my name"Lawer Mommy" to see what I have dealt with at the hands of some online criminals. I am dealing with the underbelly of criminality a criminal enterprise run by AKbarShabazz, his wife Shay Riley and other members of this criminal enterprise.

These criminals wiretap my phone, read my email, infect my computer with malware. You name it. They have done it.
The solution is to do whatever has to be done to smoke out the pathetic fiends and then follow the law to the last letter to end their criminality.

These criminals only get more brazen if you do not go after them and hunt them like the vermin they are... DO NOT BE DETERRED BY ANYTHING. Criminals are criminals no matter where they lurk. They look like regular folk but they are worse
than the vomit of a Rhino!!!!

Also, if you are being targeted or even suspect that you have been targeted by some faceless bastard on line, HUNT THEM DOWN. HUNT THEM DOWN. HUNT THEM DOWN. If you do not, you are doing yourself and other children and adults a great disservice.

If Adults are made an example of in such criminality, it will make a big difference in the attitudes of children and others who see the Internet as one big wide world where they can effect their criminality.

Remember, faceless scum who hide online and commit crimes are just the same as criminal worms in the real world. The best thing to do for yourself is to idenitify it for what it is– GROSS CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT.. and then go for the long (or short haul) to get these people.

Oh, one other thing. Never allow them out of your site. Keep tabs, follow up. Otherwise, those slime buckets will find another unwitting soul to rob, violate and rape on line.

Online crimes are serious and it is about time Attorney Generals and other law enforcement agents throw their manpower to stop these pathetic worms. Jailing these malevolent sociopaths is the ONLY solution!

ENDER!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU RULE!

Someone should have called this girl’s mother and told her rather than her daughter having to tell her. THIS COMMENTOR NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR SCREWS CHECKED.....

WHEN IS IT BAD FOR A CHILD TO TALK TO THEIR PARENT.

You are so dilusional you probably have 8 of your own your are tainting as well......

Ender does not RULE anything. He sprouts off a bunch of UTTER RUBBISH.

This is what he said:
"So once again humans shouldn’t make mistakes, do dumb things, or things that aren’t “socially acceptable”. If they do, they should be “punished”???????????"

Ender, Bullying and Harassment IS NOT A MISTAKE. IT IS A DELIBERATE ACT USUALLY PERPETUATED BY CHILDREN OR ADULTS WHO ARE CRIMINALLY MINDED. OR IN THE CASE OF CHILDREN, MOST TIMES, THE CHILDREN ARE MISGUIDED OR COME FROM A HOME WHERE THEY ARE REARED BY CRIMINALS!!

Online Assault which is improperly termed "CYBER CRIMINALITY" has measurable effects on the individuals that are impacted. So should such people not be held accountable for their conduct and punished???

Breaking and entering in a home armed with weapons is a crime "25yrs to life" in many jurisdictions yet breaking and entering into a computer which contains vital details of a persons life USING MALICIOUS SOFTWARE (and stealing such information) is mostly considered a misdemeanor!!!!! ATROCIOUS A MISDEMEANOR CLASSIFICATION FOR SUCH VIOLENT ACTS???? SUCH SENTENCING IS AN OUTRAGE and encourages criminality.

The punishment has to fit the crime whether committed on or offline. The sentences for ARMED ROBBERY should be same.
Hiding behind a computer and using "remote" means to criminalize others should not be sentenced differently from its "real time" counterpart–ARMED ROBBERY!!

The low sentences are not a deterrent for scum like the writer of "BROTHERPEACEMAKER" blog and other members of this vile criminal enterprise that commit heinous crimes on line.

ALSO, there is no fairy tail existence when a child calls another names and harasses them. Children are not equipped to cope with such malice. Children who harass other children MUST be punished!! Adults who harass children MUST be jailed.

I agree that ALL ADULTS need to develop thick skin when surfing or working on the web. The Internet is like the wild west. No strong laws and policing. Prepare for anything, and as I stated in my last post, be ready to chase down the culprits and do not stop till they are jailed! The ADULTS must also be able to file a civil claim for compensation after the culprits are jailed.

In my opinion, there is ONLY ONE SOLUTION TO ONLINE ASSAULTS and CRIMINALITY– and it is to CATCH THE BASTARDS and get them jailed. Anyone assaulted on line has to be ZEALOUS and unrelenting in getting justice.

There will be a marked decrease in the number of online bullying cases if such matters are systematically and continiously investigated. The outcome should be STIFF penalties.

I cannot understand how online harassment could fetch the mild sentence of 6-months in jail in some jurisdictions. Very ODD!!!
THE LAWS ARE TRULY ANTIQUATED and need to be changed.

The other part of laying the onus on Piper and other bullied kids to do something about it themselves – whether that be to stand up to the bully or ignore the bully – takes a lot of self-confidence and support from a concerned and involved family.

Not all kids have that.

And so you might be able to coach your kid to stand up for themselves; you might know what to do, what magic words to say to keep your child from living in fear – and the bully might stop bullying your kid, but move on to bullying some other child.

And unless that child has equal access to a strong, involved, supportive network of adults, that child will become a victim over and over. And most everyone will allow it to happen, because as long as the bully is feeding on someone else's kid, as long as it's not MY kid, people don't care as much. They are relieved. And the adults themselves are under the influence of the bully's power.

Unless you work hard to do something to support every child, every time the bully does his or her thing, then you're not doing nothing. You're saving your own skin and allowing another child to suffer. Kids don't get to choose their parents or their support network. Children are the most vulnerable members of society, and need all of us to step in every time to help every child.

If you are out only to help your own child "buck up", then ultimately you are on the side of the bully.

Addressed to Charlotte ========>

You said: "If you are out only to help your own child “buck up”, then ultimately you are on the side of the bully."

Are you kidding me?

MY CHILD is MY concern, just as the parents of the other child should be.

I can't take on ALL the cares or all the children who don't have parents that are involved or give a hoot about their kids, you are putting way too much on the other parents.

Its a full time job restoring my daughter, building her up and tending to her needs! I made a choice to be a stay at home mom to be here for her 100%.

Don't get me wrong either, in building her up, I am also building her up to be able to stand up and have a voice even for the other kids who might get bullied cause she is no longer a target, that if she sees it, hears it or is aware of it, to do something about it.

But, as for pouring myself out to another child, to build them up... I haven't got the energy or the time... but, the people who gave birth to them should!

Start with the Media if you want to go after the ones who are the BIGGEST to blame... their messages are sex, violence and fame.

♥♪♥♫♥

lawyermommy May 28th, 2009 9:55 am ET
I am dealing with the underbelly of criminality a criminal enterprise run by AKbarShabazz, his wife Shay Riley and other members of this criminal enterprise.

These criminals wiretap my phone, read my email, infect my computer with malware. You name it. They have done it.
The solution is to do whatever has to be done to smoke out the pathetic fiends and then follow the law to the last letter to end their criminality.

-------------

i am dealing with the same thing but these people hang out in the forum section of mediatakeout.com

Cat4everrr????

I know nothing about that forum.

You seem a little blase about it though. But to each his own.

If you take such a laid back attitude you seem to be welcoming their advances and will appear to be one with these pathetic PREDATORS.
Just a quick warning! If you deal with scum like online criminals... you cannot afford to be relaxed in dealing with them. Big mistake. But I guess from your post you are happy with the way things are!

Laying over and posting in a blase way online in a lally dally way. WOW... that is not the right attitude. You seem to be cool with having vermin roll around in your life!

Good luck with that! Let me know what they tell you about their jail bound pathetic lives.

SUE the bullies– it's the only solution to let them know you mean business. I have an article how to do it at http://bullyjustice.webs.com/

Otherwise they'll never stop

Be Strong you two. I am in high shcool and i know what it is like to be bullied. I once had a who eventually betrayed me and has bullied me since then. Those kids are not sorry for making the video. You have to make sure they are deepley punished so they won't do it again. Until that happens Piper is at risk unfortunately.

Suing them is only meaningful after a conviction. The first step is to hunt them down.

Also, to refer to their acts as bullying (for adults) is to somehow ascribe strength–which they do not have– to pathetic lowlife cowards who hide behind a computer and commit heinous crimes.

They commit online assaults. The proper description for Adults who commit such crimes is not bullies.. because they are not! Yuk. They were weak sociopaths, really.
They are Low Life pathetic Miscreants. So online criminals, Miscreants or pathetic Reprobates might be a better term.

Also, the main female culprit "Evia Moore" aka Halima Sal Andersen aka Shay Riley of the website "Black Female Interracial Marriage" has a lorry load of children. Hopefully, after she is convicted and jailed those children will be moved into a different location and maybe saved.

*Sigh* truly sorry for those poor children and all children born to murderers, rapists, serial killers and child molesters.
Horrible life. Truly awful.

Adam: sorry, but you're not a lawyer. Being "mean" is definitely against the law in many situations– particularly in school, if the school didn't act responsibly in their duty to protect their studdents. Parents should sue schools and bullies IMMEDIATELY if their child is bullied, and the school doesn't do enough to make it stop. That's what laws are for, and if you disagree then you'll have no problem in leaving it up to the law to come down on your side.
People have rights– bullies don't..

"Lawyermommy–" I don't know what law school you attended, but civil remedies are perfectly viable if no criminal penalties are expected.
Criminal prosecution for bullying is unlikely, not only because of societal trivializing of anything affecting children, but also because police and prosecutors tend to be bullies themselves since they are drawn to positions of power over others. They will rarely prosecute crimes commited by children against other children, unless death orserious injury results– otherwise, kids are on their own and are expected to fend for themselves: that's why bullies get this message that it's open-season on their victims, since they know that they won't get in any legal trouble for it. Police and prosecutors often abuse their discretion by doing nothing to stop the abuse.
Civil suit, meanwhile, doesn't require going through the red tape of the criminal-justice system, and likewise offers many legal options that criminal laws don't such as Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, False Imprisonment, Defamation, Invasion of Privacy and other torts– including suing for any criminal violations committed (such as in this case, Conspiracy). As shown in Garrett v. Dailey, children can be sued for their actions, and wil be given no leniency by the court because of their youth.
For these reasons, I say that suing bullies is the best way to go.

lawyermommy May 28th, 2009 8:18 pm ET

Cat4everrr????

I know nothing about that forum.

You seem a little blase about it though. But to each his own.

If you take such a laid back attitude you seem to be welcoming their advances and will appear to be one with these pathetic PREDATORS.
Just a quick warning! If you deal with scum like online criminals… you cannot afford to be relaxed in dealing with them. Big mistake. But I guess from your post you are happy with the way things are!

Laying over and posting in a blase way online in a lally dally way. WOW… that is not the right attitude. You seem to be cool with having vermin roll around in your life!

Good luck with that! Let me know what they tell you about their jail bound pathetic lives.

----------–

Please take a moment to read all of my comments. You will find that I have already reported it to the fbi cyber crimes unit https://complaint.ic3.gov. I am also in the process of taking legal action. I plan on hiring an e-discovery specialist and a lawyer who specializes in electronic forensics

repost:

I. The same exact thing happend to me. here’s what you CAN do

1. take a look at the laws on the books. states like michigan have laws on the books that are very friendly towards victims of cyber bullying

2. very important for you to get your paper trail started…file a report with the fbi’s ic3 unit https://complaint.ic3.gov/

3. take it to court. you can not afford to lay down and be a victim. that only gives the perpetrator a since of empowerment. take it to court even if you have to represent yourself. most states offer legal advice free of charge.

in short, take control of the situation. sitting back and allowing yourself to be a victim will only embolden the criminal

II. State laws currently on the books:

Arkansas
In 2007, the Arkansas legislation passed a law allowing school officials to take action against cyber bullies even if the bullying did not originate or take place on school property. The law gave school administrators much more freedom to punish those individuals who sought to harass their fellow students.

Idaho
2006 saw Idaho lawmakers pass a law that allowed school officials to suspend students if they bullied or harassed other students using a telephone or computer.

Iowa
Iowa has passed several laws that force schools to create anti-cyber bullying policies which cover bullying “in schools, on school property or at any school function or school-sponsored activity.”
Help prevent cyber bullying in schools by using your own Cyber Bully Prevention Software.

New Jersey
The Garden State of New Jersey has always maintained tough laws about bullying, but it wasn’t until 2007 that the laws were amended to include bullying via “electronic communication.” These laws give additional power to the school system to enforce bullying-related punishment for actions that may not take place while on school grounds.

Oregon
The progressive state of Oregon really delves into the details of cyber bullying. The laws passed in recent years in Oregon expand the boundaries of what constitutes cyber bullying to include those actions which “substantially interfere” with the education of the young person.

Missouri
The suicide of a 13-year old girl Megan Meier who was the victim of an internet hoax greatly raised the awareness of cyber bullying and its consequences in the state of Missouri. Governor Matt Blunt went so far as to create a task force whose sole purpose was to study and create laws regarding cyber bullying. As a result the Internet Harassment Task Force now stands as a shining example for other states around the country. Missouri has also toughened their laws on the matter, upgrading cyber-harassment from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony.

New York
New York created a system to investigate claims of cyber bullying that would help police and school officials better ascertain the circumstances of each occurrence and prosecute or punish the culprits to the fullest extent of the law.

Rhode Island
The governor of Rhode Island is currently trying to pass a bill that would force repeat cyber bullying offenders to appear in family court, where they would be charged as delinquents under the terms of the state’s laws for young offenders.

Vermont
Vermont has added a $500 fine for cyber bullying offenses to their already stringent laws on the matter. There is currently a bill being discussed that would increase the reach of the school’s powers regarding cyber bullying when the action puts the individual’s ability to learn (or health and safety) at risk.

BrianMC,

Since you asked, my law school education was stellar and I graduated at the top of my class! GOSH!

I am fully aware that you can pursue civil remedies without criminal conviction. However, in the cases of "bullying" i.e. CYBER ASSAULTS COMMITTED ONLINE BY FLAMING ADULT REPROBATES– it is EASIER to win a civil suit AFTER winning in criminal court.

Civil remedies are great but the I know that anyone who has been targeted by faceless cowardly and criminal ADULTS online probably wants justice for the crimes committed against them. JUSTICE IS THE MOST DESIRED OUTCOME– not just monetary remuneration in payment for the viciousness faced at the hands of these animals!

For nine years, I faced a most vicious form of ONLINE criminal assaults from Akbar SHabazz, Shay Riley, Jibreel and other accomplices... NO monetary compensation can take the place of the RAW hand of justice against these gutter snipes and others of their ilk. They are PREDATORS.. like serial killers.. appearing normal yet committing heinous crimes against society!

What is proper just and moral? That these fiends be jailed for a long time!!

This AMORAL VILE woman who runs these numerous blogs ("Black Female Interracial Marriage blog", "Siddity", Black Womens Interracial Circle" etc, etc.) using material obtained through illegal wiretaps, online battery and assault, abuse and illegal break ins into personal electronic data banks have no business being free. This woman is so convincing in her criminality that as a so called Interracially married woman and Black power proponent, she deceived the Associated press and its so called investigative reporters, who interviewed her for an Interracial marriage piece based on her so called interracial marriage. In reality, SHE IS MARRIED TO A BLACK MAN– and the interracial experiences and promotion she chronicles on her NUMEROUS blog is obtained from illegal and the most vile criminal conduct imaginable. Illegal phone taps, activating microphones in cell and home phones, reading emails, sending malicious viruses, Trojans etc. to unwitting individuals are the means through which this woman gets materials for her fabricated experiences. essays and poorly written books.

She has no business rearing her football team of children. Her husband is a criminal and coaches CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I want?? What other people in my shows want?? THE FBI to investigate and JAIL these new breed of 21st century threat to our National Security.

These malevolent SCUMBAGS pride themselves on being more advanced than law enforcement and even believe they can outwit the office of the Presidents Cybercrimes unit!! These are the FIENDS who should be made a NATIONAL example. That is what I want. That IS JUST, PURE AND MORAL!!!

For me, a Civil Action is great but secondary. The first thing is to JAIL SHAY RILEY aka EVIA aka Halima Sal ANDERSEN aka Felica aka Muslim Bushido aka Booker Rising!!

This woman should NOT be allowed to keep children in the criminal environment she has created!! Justice will be done when she is exposed and those children removed from HER CUSTODY– to see if they can be saved from the criminality in which they have been DEEPLY and completely steeped!!

By not routing her, this vile vomit of a pig who prides herself on being an experienced criminal will destroy those young lives and set them on the same path that she walks.

The "cyber criminals" of today - ADULTS–need to be routed with strong monitoring and stiff sentencing. They need to stay in JAIL for the same time as ARMED ROBBERS in real time do. After all, they are ROBBERS and COMMON THIEVES whose weapon of choice is a technology!

No matter how you paint the girls as "just pranksters"... It is still very much against the law to communicate a death threat via the internet.... or anywhere else, .... in any state.

Charge them, convict them, put them in juvenile detention, expell them from the school system.

ok maria

We have been hearing and seeing child bulling going on for years. Everyone's been through it or at least seen someone else go through it. Bullying has not only increased in recent years but now there are even more ways of completely embarrassing kids. From online social chatting sites to online videos. Kids have so much more to worry about and yet we have no new resources or ways to help these children cope with how they are being treated and how they are feeling. I understand it is not the responsibility of the school to punish for actions taken outside of school, but it should involve them when children are scared to come to school due to other children stealing their lunch money and mentally abusing them. Kids need to be able to stand up for themselves or feel someone at school will be there to protect them, or else how do we expect our children to pay attention in class and grow up as a well rounded, mentally stable person. It is impossible to expect children to keep these bad thought to themselves. If schools do not get involved Recently two children both 11 and in different states both hung themselves due to bullying. I am very proud of beth and Piper, what happened with Piper is very hurtful and may leave a damaging affect of her in later years, but the most important thing is to see her mother beth stick up for her. Her mother is Piper's only support and protection and the upsetting reality is, piper will not have her mother when she goes to school. A great initiative would be to set up a club that kids that are feeling upset or angry about something can talk to other peers about during breaks or recesses in school.

So, I think that this doesn't mean a thing. So what if these girls made a video on how to hurt someone, I bet they go their punishments. If I were you Beth I wouldn't have taken it this far, you over reacted to this whole situation. If you just kept calm your daughter wouldn't have been afraid to go to school. I believe that they were probably just expressing their personalities and you dont even know if they did it. Who knows they may have taken the blame for the whole thing, MAybe they didn't do it and the person(s) who did are still out there getting ready to hurt someone else, but if I were you just move to a different state and start all over. Move to Kansas I live there and my kids have nothing to worry about they can walk to anywhere without getting hurt, asulted, kidnapped or anything!

ADDRESSED TO SULLY...

You are kidding right? Pack up and move to another state? What about family, friends and not to mention the message you are sending your child? When the things get tough, run? start over? pretend it didn't happen? Expressing their personalities? Please get your head out of the sand... kids that are "expressing" hurting another child need to get their butts into counseling, the world today has gone nuts... there is no empathy, no compassion, no consequences for actions that are unacceptable... bring the strap back in the correct context, to schools, unplug the violent video games, smut lyrics, and movies... unrealistic I know, because you can't un-ring the bell. If we are looking at kids today and as parents saying... I didn't raise them to be like that! No, you probably didn't but, the music, movies, video games and even the news is where your kids were raised when we see them acting out in an unacceptable manner.