Cyberbullying has become a global issue. Hateful words are fired from fingertips and posted for everyone to see. All while the bully stays hidden behind a veil of anonymity.
Social media expert Tamyra pierce says, "We saw it as bullying when we were in school now it's gone to the computer or technology."
Pierce has been following the hurtful trend for years and says it has deadly consequences.
"We've seen people succumb to the pressures and take their own lives." she said.
The Valley has seen the pressure overwhelm it's youth. It claimed a free spirited Clovis teen named Chloe. She killed herself before her 19th birthday.
Her mom, Allison Murphy says "She didn't want a corvette, she didn't want lavish clothing, she just wanted to be a normal 18 year old girl...and she knew she wasn't going to have that."
Chloe was struggling with an identity crisis. She was transgender and started life as Justin Lacey, a boy who liked extreme sports and art. Chloe was only revealed to people she trusted.
"They have an extreme fear of being outed and when somebody bullies them and exploits them it's a recipe for suicide." said Murphy
Lawmakers are trying to help people like Chloe. Governor Jerry Brown signed new legislation to punish cyberbullys, giving schools the ability to suspend them.
"I think it's a start, I think it's one of the many tools needed to make change." Murphy added.
TXT 24
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