When it becomes " Unfunny " !

There was rage and disgust earlier this year when two Australian radio DJ's made a phone call to a London hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for morning sickness.   They purported to be the Queen and the Prince of Wales and tricked the nurse taking the call to put them through to the royal ward.    Within hours, the deceived nurse committed suicide,

It was probably just a silly joke to entertain radio listeners, but sadly the woman taking that call was suffering from a " depressive disorder " and an inquest has suggested that she had made two previous attempts on her own life.   This tends to illustrate the danger of taunting others with what we may think is a " harmless trick " - and which others describe as " bullying ".

Social media has exploded with venues that allow personal comment to be directed at victims while the originator remains anonymous.    In particular, this has become the domain of school children who use Twitter, Facebook and a whole host of similar venues to hurl vindictive comments at those they dislike.

We are seeing an increase in youthful suicides and some of these are a result of harassment which can only be described as bullying.   Those that suffer weight problems, have personality disorders or fall out of favour with their peers can become the target of unrelenting pressure - and really hateful messages from a wide circle of tormentors.

Many well adjusted kids cope with this and take it in their stride, but those with a sensitive nature have difficulty in coping and both school authorities and the medical profession are warning that real and permanent harm is being done - from which some will never fully recover.

Just as that joke phone call had unintended consequences when by pure chance the call was taken by a nurse with an emotional problem,  the deluge of taunts appearing on the Internet each day must be doing emotional damage to those whose emerging personalities have frailties.

We have a problem - and so far - nobody has been able to even suggest an answer.    It is in the nature of some people to bully others that they can intimidate, but we are seeing this taken to extreme when calls for the victim to end their life become common.

In many cases, the perpetrator will claim this was made in jest.     As was the case with that London phone call.    It becomes tragic when the joke becomes " Unfunny " !