The father of a teenage girl who took her own life has called for cyber-bullying to be made a specific crime to protect children. Mia Janin’s parents were unaware she was being bullied on social media by fellow pupils at her London school before she died in March 2021 at the age of 14. Mariano Janin told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that new laws were needed to combat the global issue affecting young people and for the system to become “more alert”.
Mia was discovered dead at her family home a day after returning to the Jewish Free School following the easing of pandemic restrictions. Following her death, her parents gathered evidence that she was being bullied on social media and in person by a group of male schoolmates. In a voice note sent to a friend, Mia said in the night before she died: “Tomorrow’s going to be a rough day, I’m taking deep breaths in and out. I’m currently mentally preparing myself to get bullied tomorrow.”
Currently, there are no specific laws in the UK regarding bullying or cyber-bullying, with the courts relying on other legislation surrounding harassment and malicious communications. Speaking on the programme, Mr Janin called for the existing legislation on bullying to be reviewed and for a better understanding and response to the issue. He believes that children need to imbibe values of acceptance, kindness, and understanding. He also believes that legal boundaries need presiding over social media.
Earlier this month, the coroner for North London urged the Jewish Free School to take more significant action on bullying and to prevent future deaths, especially the targeting of female students by male students. The school confirmed that all information in its possession was handed over to the police to assist them in their investigation into Mia’s case. The school’s policies on bullying had been revamped in the aftermath of the tragedy
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