the world you and i live in

On November 22nd, someone took his life.

A 19 year old college student from Florida, US had posted on forums his intentions to take what kind of drugs to kill himself. People thought he was joking. The day came when he turned on his webcam and declared he would do it in front of at least 1500 viewers online.

Some egged him on, telling him, "go ahead and do it,". Some thought it was just a stunt and that it was funny and punctuated their sentences with "lol". Their comments were seen instantly at the side of the screen. Many debated about whether the guy would actually kill himself. Some believed it to be joke. Some wondered if he would have the guts to do it. Yet, there were some who did take the effort to try to convince him otherwise. The boy called himself "useless, a failure" in the forums as he cited these reasons for his suicide.

In the end, when someone notified the authorities and the internet community saw the police barge into his room and check the now lifeless body, "OMG" was their instant response. What had been a joke turned out to be a real case of suicide.

The question is: what could have been done to stop that from happening?

The internet has long been debated to detach us humans emotionally. We lack the moral responsibility online because we can conveniently wash our hands off from what we say or do on the internet. What has happened to our humanity?

True, the guy had a choice in taking his own life. But that does not justify the fact that there are individuals out there who when the situation arises, they would choose to encourage someone to take their own life - whether in jest or seriousness. Is it a joke when someone tells you that they want to take their own life and end it just there and then?

Or is because its the internet... you can't trust everything you see on the internet?

If that is the case and reason, then what kind of world do we live in when we go online? When we log onto Facebook, are we really looking at the actual profile of a person or is it a conjured-up profile to cheat other Facebookers? When we blog or read blogs, are the things seen online true or are they written to attract attention?

What is the internet now to us? A thing for us to utilise or something that has been manipulated and twisted to a point where no one takes seriously a suicide attempt? Will our society one day reach a point where even if you're face-to-face in person with someone, you would just walk away and ignore a plea of help? There is nothing evil about the internet, tragedies like this speak of the level of development of our society, the moral responsibilities and duties that we have neglected.

ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the world you and i live in.

A world that certainly needs God.

Hi,

If you're reading this and you have intentions of taking your own life. Please, don't do it. It's not worth it to kill yourself over things, people, family, friend, financial problems and other crappy stuff. Talk to someone who is close to you that you can ask for help. Talk to a counsellor. Talk to someone in church. Talk to someone you know who will help you go through those difficult moments in life. Pray to God. But whatever it is, don't take your life and end it just like that. God has more things in life to bless you with. It doesn't matter what religion or faith you profess, you know deep inside of you... you were created for a higher purpose. Don't kill yourself. Please.