Parents of dead LI teen discuss online abuse on 'Today'
Alexis Pilkington is seen in an undated photo released by family friend Michael Stracuzza. Credit: AP
The parents and friends of Alexis Pilkington, the West Islip teen whose recent suicide focused attention on cyber-bullying, appeared on the "Today" show Wednesday as part of a segment on the growing national phenomenon of online abuse and harassment known as "trolling."
"If we can save one kid, one family, one community from feeling the way we feel, it's one victory," Thomas Pilkington, the teen's father said in a taped interview broadcast on the morning program. Videos of the vibrant, playful girl were shown while her mother. Paula, described a soccer and lacrosse star who was "a best friend to everyone."
But those images contrasted sharply with the vicious images and comments that swamped the memorial page set up by friends on Facebook after her March 21 death.
"They're just sick in the head," said her friend Jordan Cunningham in the filmed report before the family's interview.
Cunningham wore a T-shirt urging a boycott of Formspring. me, another site where Pilkington dealt with insulting anonymous comments in the days before her death. "They have no heart," Cunningham said. "We're still hurting and it's not going to go away for a while and this is just adding to the fire."
More than a week after Pilkington's death, Suffolk Police continue to monitor the postings and have said they will take action if any communication is deemed to be criminal.
New York is among 11 states that do not have anti-bullying statutes, said Alane Fagin, of Child Abuse Prevention Services in Roslyn. Twenty states have laws specific to cyber-bullying, according to 2009 information from the Anti-Defamation League.
State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) earlier this year introduced a bill that seeks to make New York one of those states. His legislation would prohibit bullying and cyber-bullying on school property and establish a statewide central registry to report such incidents.
Assemb. Philip Boyle (R-Bay Shore) who has co-sponsored a bill to increase cyber-bullying penalties under harassment laws, plans to speak to West Islip students next week. The talk was scheduled before the suicide, but Boyle said he's sure Pilkingtons will be discussed.
"I want to convey to them how hurtful words can have tragic consequences," he said.
Parry Aftab, executive director of WiredSafety.org, who appeared on the "Today" show, said Wednesday afternoon that Long Island police are capable of dealing with cyber-bullying investigations. "Nassau and Suffolk have two of the top cybercrime forces in the world," she said. "They've been doing this longer than anyone else."
