Daily BrewSaskatchewan’s Todd Loik latest teen casualty of culture of cyberbullying
Another Canadian teen has committed suicide after being reportedly bullied online, causing more pain and prompting another round of demands for change.
Todd Loik, a 15-year-old boy who had been bullied by classmates in North Battleford, Sask., took his own life earlier this month.
His mother told the Canadian Press this week that the attacks began at school and moved online. She said he would not let her read his Facebook page, the comments being so vile.
Kim Loik said they were moving out of the city and back to Edmonton to get away from the bullying, but never had the chance.
A Facebook memorial has been set up for Loik which includes, among various calls for action and conciliatory messages, this poem:
Those beautiful brown eyes
Still visit me in my dreams so many nights
This ache in my heart, will never go away
It will serve as my reminder
of my love for you each day
Such a special soul
Filled with beauty so bright
My honor was to love you
in so many special ways
To kiss your beautiful face and watch the sun rise
To love and laugh and cry and feel
The life was so delicate and real
How did I kiss you goodbye how did I let u go
This heart will break forever
Mama misses you so.
[ Related: Sask. mom says teen son killed himself because of bullying ]
Loik's suicide is a sad reminder that we have been down this road before.
Amanda Todd, Rehtaeh Parsons, Jamie Hubley — all Canadian teens who have taken their own lives after being taunted and cyberbullied.
The response is the same: Calls for action, demands that something be done.
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Conservative minister Peter MacKay both spoke out against bullying in the wake of Loit's death.
Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Todd Loik. Let’s work together to fight bullying and put an end to these tragedies. #stopbullying
— Thomas Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair) September 25, 2013
My thoughts are with the Loik family in Saskatchewan--tragic news. More proof that cyberbullying must be addressed. #BullyingHurts — Peter MacKay (@MinPeterMacKay) September 25, 2013
[ More Brew: Member of ‘Toronto 18′ terror plot reportedly killed in Syria ]
In the wake of other suicides, provinces have announced anti-bullying initiatives. New laws have been created. The government has offered funding for projects that give students a leadership role in curbing bullying.
Yet the cycle keeps repeating itself. Another name added to the list, another family left gutted and broken.
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