An apparent intimate photo in WhatsApp was responsible for two teenagers, from 13 and 14 yearscommitted suicide in the Antioquia municipality of Toledo. A fact that has not astonished parents, the student community and the general public. Colombian society.
The fact that became known this week has already set off the alarms of the authorities in the department and throughout the national territory, and highlights the importance of encouraging the new generations to be cautious with the content they send through social networks and applications. instant messaging.
One of the victims, the one who was 14, decided to share an image of her in which she would show her boyfriend’s genitals. As if by magic, the photo ended up in WhatsApp groups and other chats that not only responded to his. The young woman’s mother found out about her and decided to impose a harsh punishment on her.
After other adolescents made alleged offensive comments and attacked the young woman, the past monday april 24 the victim made the decision to take your own life in a property in the village of Barrancas where he lived with his family. Fact for which the authorities are investigating.
However, what was already a tragedy that put the people of Antioquia in mourning increased when, one day later, on Tuesday, April 25, lto another young woman, 13 years old, and who was apparently involved in this case, also died. The hypotheses ensure that she committed suicide.
The events did not stop there either, because there is another minor who, although she did not die, would have been seriously psychologically affected by the seriousness of the events. For this reason, the municipal Ombudsman is providing, both to the infant and the parents of the deceased, the necessary psychosocial support.
“Unfortunately we had an unfortunate event in the municipality of Toledo. We were presented with a suicide of two girls, 13 and 14 years old. They showed up at their homes, we already have all the permanent articulation with the municipality of Toledoits mayoress, but we are also articulated with the Ministry of Health”, said Pedro Hoyos, Secretary of Social Inclusion of the Government of Antioquia.
Witness versions assure that the second fatality was indeed related to the cyberbullying case, but for now it is a situation that is still under the magnifying glass of the Antioquia Policewho already had a technical team to clarify what happened and give explanations to the parents of the minors.
The Toledo City Hall spoke out for the tragic event and warned of the risks of spreading sexual content, For this reason, they urged guardians and parents of minors to be more attentive to what their children do with mobile devices.
“Cyberbullying can be a significant risk factor for adolescents. Constant exposure to bullying and harassment online can negatively affect adolescent mental health and increase the risk of depression, anxiety and inappropriate thinking,” the local administration noted.
They also announced that not only the Police, but also the Family Police Station, implemented the necessary protocols to solve this sad event and asked the community keep calm and wait for the fruits of the investigations.
“We encourage the community not to lose calm and continue to join efforts, mainly from the family, to avoid any act that affects the life and integrity of our children and adolescents,” added the local Duma.
For his part, John Fredy Nieto, inspector of Toledo Policeannounced that the General Prosecutor of the Nation He also took action on the matter, in an isolated manner, to find what was established in this fact as soon as possible.
