Carol Todd visited Walpole Island Elementary School in memory of her daughter Amanda Todd, who committed suicide due to the effects of cyber-bullying.
Grades 6-8 stuents at Walpole attended the presentation Thursday (June 12), in Carol’s eighth visit to Ontario. Carol has been a teacher in B.C for the past 30 years and since her daughter’s death has traveled all across Canada to bring awareness on bullying and social media’s dangers to youth.
Amanda Todd was 15 years old when she took her own life due to bullying at school and online after topless pictures spread throughout the Internet. After a year of the initial picture, Amanda continued to constantly get bullied at school and in their hometown. The day before she died, she uploaded a Youtube video, which currently has over 30 million views.
The presentation started with a survey as students were asked a series of questions on texting, picture messaging and its risks on social media. Carol said she wants to warn students on the risks of talking to stranger’s online and sending pictures.
“Once you upload pictures they are really hard to get off. People can download your picture and use Photoshop to switch around everything. Once pictures surface on the Internet, they will most likely remain on file somewhere forever”.
Carol also said risks start on Facebook when people accept requests from people they don’t know in real life and how pictures can affect employment opportunities. “Employers can actually hire people to check FB of potential employee’s to hire. If you have pictures of partying, or anything inappropriate your risking jobs”.
Many Apps were discussed including Snap chat. Every picture taken is kept on file and users risk their reputation on what they choose to send.
Walpole Island resident, Caitlyn Murphy Eagleson said, “Well this is huge. It’s international. Its issues that literally every kid experiences so it’s a powerful message that she’s doing for all the right reasons”. Eagleson said she will bring Amanda’s story in her own life to help warn youth in her community. “Working with the youth is really important so I can pass on the legacy that Carol has now given me. In this day in age the Internet is huge and this whole cyber-bullying thing is such a big issue so if I can get this message across to our youth to bring happiness and love rather than the bullying and hate. We don’t need this in our world”.
The presentation ended with a tribute music video. Carol said, “It makes me sad every time I watch it. My daughter should be here speaking to you in person. I only watch the video when I present and it gets me every time”. Carol said she feels a certain hope that the loss of her daughter will make youth think twice before clicking send. “I have that big support and hope which has made me feel like I should continue this on and watch how Amanda’s legacy will help everyone. Its not just about her story, its about the cause. The impacts of bullying and the damages and risks people take when they share and send things on social media”.
It was an emotional and serious presentation in tribute to a teen that lost her life because of bullying and the hope for those still out there who are struggling that they can be strong and overcome it. Wristbands were given out to the students who attended.
Carol’s main points she wanted to get across to Walpole Island students:
1-Show kindness, respect and love
2-Words can hurt
3-Sometimes jokes aren’t funny
4-Think before you speak or hit send
5-Stand up for those who cant
