Teen girl hangs herself after split with boyfriend fearing ‘constant reminders from social networks’

An inquest has heard how an 18-year-old girl hanged herself after struggling to come to terms with sharing the same group of friends with her ex boyfriend. (stock image used above)

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by Jessica Anais Rach |
Published on

Lily Cleal had gone through an amicable break-up with former boyfriend Danny, also 18, but worried things would become hard once they started moving on.

Fearing that their mutual friendship group and social networks would mean they would never have a 'clean break' from each other, Lily reportedly called a friend in December last year saying she was ‘feeling down and needed a hug’.

Just 20 minutes later the A-level student rang the emergency services to warn them she was going to take her life, but was dead by the time paramedics arrived at her house.

Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner David Hinchcliffe said he was at ‘a complete loss’, adding: ‘The only comfort I can offer is that there is nothing suspicious.’

Lily's mum has blamed social networks for adding pressure on teens

Her devastated mother, Kate, has blamed the pressures of modern life on teenagers.

‘Once you would have an argument with your boyfriend on the phone in the hallway and then you would have to get back to chatting with your family where you could think it over,’ she said.

'Now with Facebook, Whatsapp, Snapchat and smartphones, it is 24/7. There is no let-up.’

Do you think this generation of teenagers has more pressure from the online world?

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