A 12-year-old Australian student who endured months of persistent online harassment has died after being removed from life support at Queensland Children’s Hospital, prompting renewed concerns about social media safety among youth.
Ella Catley-Crawford received an academic scholarship to an elite girls’ school in Brisbane in February, marking what should have been an exciting new chapter. Instead, the transition became marred by escalating online harassment through social media platforms.
“She was both excited and nervous about going to high school because she didn’t know anyone there,” her mother, Julie Crawford, told Daily Mail Australia
According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, approximately 37% of students report experiencing cyberbullying in their lifetime. This form of harassment is particularly challenging to address due to its persistent nature and ability to reach victims anywhere through digital devices.
Mrs. Crawford had initially given her daughter Ella a mobile phone to use during bus commutes to school. Despite implementing restrictions on social media applications and establishing a 7 p.m. cutoff for phone usage, Crawford discovered her daughter had created hidden accounts to maintain contact with peers.
The situation intensified in March when school administrators contacted Crawford about alleged online bullying incidents. An investigation revealed that three seventh-grade students had targeted Ella through Snapchat, resulting in their suspension. The harassment included impersonation schemes and the unauthorized sharing of private messages.
Crawford had discovered Ella in tears about messages she was receiving, but couldn’t see the messages because the app automatically deleted them.
By April, the worried mom transferred her daughter to a different school. However, the online harassment continued across platforms. “The new school was great but they still got to her via the apps,” Crawford said.
Several individuals engaged in deceptive online behavior, including someone who misrepresented their gender while communicating with Ella. Private messages she had sent were then distributed to others without her consent. As a result, her social circle began to distance themselves, including withdrawing a birthday party invitation, with peers indicating they felt overwhelmed by the situation and needed space.
Mental health experts note that cyberbullying can have severe impacts on young people’s emotional well-being. Signs of cyberbullying often include increased isolation, avoidance of school, and significant mood changes.
Following her transfer, Ella received a depression diagnosis and began medication treatment. Despite periods of improvement when engaged in activities, her mother noted concerning behavioral changes, particularly during times spent with her phone.
On October 27, Crawford found her daughter unresponsive and performed CPR while awaiting emergency services. After a week on life support, doctors confirmed no brain activity was present.
Queensland Police have launched an investigation and taken possession of Ella’s electronic devices. The case highlights the challenging intersection of youth social media use and mental health, with research showing that cyberbullying can occur through various digital platforms including text messages, applications, and online forums.
Crawford has established a fundraising campaign to cover funeral expenses and support cyberbullying awareness initiatives. Mental health resources and crisis support services remain available through organizations including Kids Helpline and various national crisis intervention services.
The eSafety Commissioner’s office reports that cyberbullying can involve sending harmful messages, sharing embarrassing content, spreading rumors, or excluding individuals online, often causing significant emotional harm to young people.