EP 24 - The Megan Meier Tragedy. Stop Cyberbullying.

The Law Enforcement Social Media Podcast: A Podcast for #LESM Professionals

On October 16, 2006, Tina Meier’s life took a devastating turn when her 13-year-old daughter, Megan Taylor Meier, took her own life after being cyberbullied by an adult neighbor. In December of 2007, Tina Meier founded the Megan Meier Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to promote awareness, education and positive change in response to the issues surrounding bullying, cyberbullying and suicide.

Tina worked closely with Senator Scott Rupp and Governor Matt Blunt’s Internet Task Force for the State of Missouri to help pass Senate Bill 818, which amended the harassment and stalking laws to include electronic communication in August of 2008.

Additionally, Tina spread the Foundation’s message and Megan’s story through national and international media appearances, including network television stations, radio, news magazines and syndicated talk shows. She accepted a Presidential invitation to attend the 2011 White House Anti-Bullying Conference, presented at the U.S. Department of Education’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools National Conference in Washington, DC and served as a consultant during the production of the ABC Family movie, “Cyberbu//y.”

Today, Tina continues to travel throughout the country educating youth, parents, educators and professionals on the consequences associated with the harmful effects of bullying and cyberbullying.

Visit the Megan Meier Foundation at http://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/

How Does Megan's Story Affect Law Enforcement Social Media?

Although our functions as social media managers are to promote the good works of our departments on social media, as well as pursue after those who are committing crimes using the various social media platforms, it is our ethical duty to be knowledgeable about all aspects of cyberbullying. Here are the following components all LESM managers, as well as regular social media managers, should know:

• Recognition: How to recognize both online and offline when cyberbullying is occurring
• Psychological Effects: What toll does cyber bullying take on all parties involved, to include the bully, the victim, parents, and friends?
• Prevention: What can we as social media managers do to help prevent cyber bullying?
• Investigations: How to pursue after a cyber bully and what you'll need for a conviction
• Education: Educating our communities, as well as re-training victims, parents and offenders on the use of social media

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