Mia Janin was found dead at her family home in Harrow, northwest London, on 12 March 2021 one day after asking her parents about moving school.
A 14-year-old girl who experienced “bullying behaviour” died by suicide, a coroner has ruled.
Mia Janin was found dead at her family home in northwest London on 12 March 2021 one day after asking her parents about moving school.
The year 10 pupil had experienced “bullying behaviour”, the coroner said, but did not say that bullying led to her death.
The coroner said the Jewish Free School (JFS) she had attended brought in systematic changes after her death.
They acknowledged she had received hostile messages to a TikTok she had posted, but added she was never diagnosed with mental illness nor did she present signs she was thinking of suicide.
Mariano Janin, her father, said he believed his daughter was cyber-bullied by other pupils at the school.
“Horrible messages” were said to be circulating in a Snapchat group created by boys at her school, an inquest previously heard.
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In statements given to the Metropolitan Police one child said: “They took screenshots of girls’ faces on social media and made fun of them. They shared a video of Mia’s TikTok and made fun of her.
“They used girls’ faces on porn stars’ bodies to upset us.”
Another child said Mia had received negative comments on the TikTok video from other pupils.
“Mia said she was fine, but I don’t think that she was fine,” she added.
Referring to Mia asking if people “would care” after “you die”, one child said they “laughed it off” as “it was just in normal conversation”.
Mia’s death refreshed conversations on whether under-16s should be banned from using smartphones for the sake of their mental health.
Time to ban smartphones for Under-16s?
Conservative MP and former teacher Miriam Cates put the question to Rishi Sunak on Wednesday citing “a marked increase in poor teen mental health, teen suicide attempts, and children addicted to pornography” since 2010.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, letters can be mailed to: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS.
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
