Suicide of Ryan Halligan

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Ryan Patrick Halligan (December 18, 1989 – October 7, 2003) was an American student who died by suicide at age 13 after being bullied by his classmates both in-person and online. According to the Associated Press, Halligan was repeatedly sent homophobic instant messages, and was "threatened, taunted and insulted incessantly". Halligan's father, John P. Halligan, a former IBM engineer, subsequently lobbied for laws to be passed in Vermont to improve how schools address bullying and suicide prevention. John has also given speeches at schools in other states about the story of his son. Halligan's case has been cited by legislators in various states proposing legislation to curb cyberbullying. In Vermont, laws were subsequently enacted to address the cyberbullying problem and the risk of teen suicides, in response. In 2008, his suicide and its causes were examined in a segment of the PBS Frontline television program entitled "Growing Up Online." Halligan's suicide has also been referenced in...

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