I am heartbroken over what happened to Phoebe, and I pray that everyone in Ireland not think that this is a reflection of American society as a whole. There is absolutely no excuse for bullying or allowing it to happen, and yes, it should be considered a serious crime. Those who commit it and those who stand by and do nothing even while aware of what goes on should be held accountable and face consequences. Maybe if there were a law to punish bullies (and to a lesser extent, those who do nothing about them) there would be far less bullying. Too many young lives are lost to such a cruel, vicious and insensitive act. I hope the whole world finally wakes up to this fact. It's just a shame that if and when they do, it will have been done at beautiful Phoebe's expense.

RIP Phoebe. May you dwell in the loving arms of God and the angels and be forever at peace.

Posted by Joane | 24.04.10, 20:53 GMT

I can't think of Phoebe's story without coming to the verge of tears. I was bullied in high school & have been dealing with severe social phobia from it for 30 years since. I work in the next town over & can't believe these toxic teens could be so hateful.

For those of you who want to help, there is a Phoebe Prince Scholarship Fund (care of Peoples Bank, 494 Newton Street, South Hadley, MA 01075)

You're in my prayers, Phoebe.

Posted by dylyn | 23.04.10, 15:45 GMT

Here is my question. Why is bullying not a crime. Why are there even questions about why treating any human being in such an unkind and clearly un-Christian fashion should or should not be quite simply a crime whether in high school or in the workplace. And why should those in charge, again, either in our schools or where we work be allowed to argue they did nothing wrong when human beings are treated so badly that the only recourse is in cases such as this suicide. If we in a society simply don't say quite clearly that bullying in any form is wrong, then we are not civilized human beings but simply savages maxs-quarading as something better than we are.

Posted by Bob Hylas | 23.04.10, 04:31 GMT

Having gone through what this young lady did, I can relate to it. Being the butt of other people's cruel jokes is hurtful and mean, and needs to end. She didn't have to die, and I think the young people involved need to really examine themselves. Nobody deserves to be tormented or mistreated, and it is hoped that more parents, teachies, school admin and other concerned adults will step in and do something about this, before something like this happens to another teeanger.

Posted by Russ | 23.04.10, 00:22 GMT

I say that this is just sad. I mean of all the things you could spend your time on. Why waste it bullying someone else? I mean i know life wont be all sunshine and rainbows, but cant we at least try.

Life filled with sorrow isn't life at all,
Life filled with grief will never last long,
Life spent alone grows far too long,
Life spent happy and with someone you love just last a minute maybe not even tat long.

This is a poem i wrote when i herd of this story. I understand what she went through. I use to spend weeks hurting myself just to feel something other that the sadness and despair of being bullied.
I hope this story helps stop thousands of people from killing or hurting themselves.

RIP
Phoebe Prince

Posted by Norma De La Fuente | 22.04.10, 21:41 GMT

I can't say that I was never bullied or targeted or anything in high school. I was well liked and 'popular'...I was head cheerleader and class president. A few of the other 'popular' kids didn't like me very much because I would get in their face when they bullied other students. Whoever said "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" is an idiot because words do hurt. Name-calling and taunting still hurts.
In my last year of high school I came out as being gay. So I faced a lot of harassment over it. Name-calling was the least of my problems. I was kicked off the cheerleading squad when one of the others initiated a coup d'etat with the premise of my presence making them uncomfortable. Understandable in way, but it was mean-spirited and underhanded. That's not even mentioning the things a lot of the guys insinuated that I needed to "make me straight again". This is just the mild stuff. Bullying is a big issue and Phoebe's story shows how tragic it can be.

Posted by Kellan | 22.04.10, 04:30 GMT

It is an epedimic in our socirt at all levels and needs to be corrected at the early stages of life.

Posted by Patrick J. Corr | 20.04.10, 11:32 GMT

The tragedy of young Phoebe breaks my heart. I know the feeling. I'm a 61 year old female who endured similar taunting. Bullying has been going on for years. I hated high school - they were the worst days of my life. One day, during my senior year, my English teacher noticed me crying and asked me to go to the teachers' lounge with her. She knew what the tears were about. She asked if I knew why the kids taunted me. I said "no - I've never done anything to them". She said they were jealous. I was confused and asked what they had to be jealous of. I wasn't rich, I didn't have the beautiful clothes, etc. She said that was not what they were jealous of -she said I was attractive and liked by the boys, was fortunate enough to be a cheerleader, class officer, etc. Boy! I sure wish she had told me that earlier in high school. I will never forget that day-teachers are not blind! To this day, I can still see the faces of my taunters!!!

Posted by Muriel | 20.04.10, 02:15 GMT

you girls who think you're all that and think making fun of another person makes you look popular think again you are nothing but a self centred immature person lacking self confidence. *Rest in Peace Phoebe* The MONSTERS who lead you to do this will pay. NOONE Excapes KARMA!
Prayers of Comfort from Canada to the Friends & Family of Phoebe.

Posted by sadincanada | 19.04.10, 23:00 GMT

I understand how Phoebe felt. I was bullied relentlessly in Elementary school, to the extent that it caused me to be physically ill and to this day, (I'm 52) I still carry the emotional baggage. I changed schools when I started Highschool and life improved on a daily basis, but, the trauma had already destroyed my self-esteem. I've sufferend from anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies for years. I remember as a child, sitting alone, hidden in the shrubs of the school playground sobbing. I DID seek help. Teachers and other adults advised me that if I just ignored them, it would stop. It didn't stop. It is beyond time that we put an end to this kind of torture. School should be a safe place for children. There should be a zero tolerence for bullying. Schools, teachers and school districts need to be held accountable. The only way to get their attention and making them realize how serious this is, is to make them responsible for what happens within their walls

Posted by Athought4u | 19.04.10, 19:29 GMT

The tragedy of Phoebe's story is having a huge impact here in the US. Now, the bullies are worried about their own safety and some are hiding out in fear of reprisials. They are basically getting no sympathy here from anyone. Everyone who hears the story of Phoebe is outraged and demands that all who knew what was happening and did nothing be held accountable. The purpose of my comments here is to assure all in Ireland that poor Phoebe is a lightning rod for change here of our laws to protect kids in our schools from the terrible abuse of bullying. Phoebe has touched milllions of people here and will never be forgotten. Please forgive us as a nation for this terrible outcome of a beautiful girl's life in our midst

Posted by LadyTexan, USA | 19.04.10, 17:55 GMT

I've been just horrified by what happened to this young girl. My own daughter was bullied by another child in elementary school and her behavior in her teens made me very concerned that she might take her own life. She's almost 33 and to this day I worry.

I don't know what the answer is, but bullying is a very vicious and real danger to vulnerable young people.

Posted by Lyn Wilson | 19.04.10, 11:33 GMT