Surf lifesaver, 13, takes her own life after online abuse

The family of a South Australian teenager who took her own life have spoken out about the dangers of bullying.

Libby Bell, from Adelaide, was just 13 when she took her life last Monday after what her family believe was an attack of online and physical bullying.

The teenager was a state junior lifesaver with a string of awards and and much loved Year 8 student at Seaford Secondary School. 

Her distraught family have led tributes to their ‘beautiful, friendly’ girl and have urged parents to talk to their children about what they might be dealing with.

Libby Bell, from Adelaide, was just 13 when she took her life last Monday after what her family believe was an attack of online and physical bullying

Clint Gow-Smith, Libby’s uncle, said it was important for children to understand it is ‘cool to speak up’.

‘She had a million-dollar smile, her face lit up the room, she just had a beautiful smile — that was our Libster,’ Mr Gow-Smith told Adelaide Now.

‘We understand schoolyard behaviour and what starts off as pointless teasing and ridicule which can soon escalate. So please, as a parent, hold your babies tight and for the teenagers, we plead for you kids to talk and walk tall.’

The teenager was allegedly filmed while being bullied at a fast food restaurant last year, one of many incidents her family believe led her to taking her own life.

While friends posted moving tributes to the outgoing young lifesaver, a family friend has started a GoFundMe for the Bell family.

'She had a million-dollar smile, her face lit up the room, she just had a beautiful smile,' Libby's uncle said

‘She had a million-dollar smile, her face lit up the room, she just had a beautiful smile,’ Libby’s uncle said

Friends and family have gathered at the Moana Surf Life Saving Club, where Libby was an active member since 2013.

A shrine has been created in her memory, and Surf Life Saving SA chief executive Clare Harris paid tribute to a ‘much loved and respected’ girl. 

‘We are grieving the sudden and devastating loss of Libby,’ she said.

‘Staff and volunteers … stand with her family, friends and our members as we pull together to support each other.’  

The Education Department has said it had ‘very strong’ anti-bullying policies.

‘It is really important that we are clear that bullying does have consequences,’ said child development executive director Ann-Marie Hayes.

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