3 Newburyport students accused of cyber-bullying

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. -- Three Newburyport High School students were arrested and later charged with identity theft after allegedly bullying one of their classmates using Facebook.

The three suspects allegedly stole the identity of a fellow student by creating a Facebook page in his name, even including the classmate's picture.

The trio then allegedly posted negative comments about other students from the fake account. The victim had no idea his identity had been compromised until other students at the school began taunting him for making the mean-spirited comments.

"The child that had his identity taken at this point is feeling the pressure because of it, because of some of the statements being made about other people. So in fact, these repercussions are coming back at him," said Chief Thomas Howard of the Newburyport Police Department.

The trio appeared in Newburyport District Court on Wednesday. Two of students are cooperating with police. The third student has hired a lawyer.

"What the young people need to understand at this point is that anything you say on Facebook or on the Internet, there's no way to get it back. Why you may think that you're behind the scenes, and nobody is going to find you, in fact, they are going to find you, and there's repercussions for your actions," said Howard.

Police do not know how long the Facebook page was up, but their investigation began in September 2009. Five months later, parents like Rachel Quintal said the teenagers charged need to know their actions have consequences.

"Suspended maybe... It shouldn't just be just detention. They need to be punished and know what they did was wrong, and maybe it will stop someone else from doing it," said Quintal.

Health specialist Lori Curry said the impacts of cyber-bullying can actually be greater than physical bullying because cyber-bullying reaches a much greater audience. Also, the bullies also do not fit the typical “bully” profile.

“Cyber bullies can often take a different appearance. They are kids who often have positive relationships with adults, they’re seen as ‘the good kids,’ they have a good reputation,” said Lori Curry, Health Specialist for Haverhill Schools.

Deirdre Farrell, Superintendent of Newburyport Schools said Thursday, “Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.”

The three teenagers have been charged with identity theft.

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