My daughter's BFF from college died in October of 2015 from an apparent overdose. She left many people who loved her in stunned grief, especially her husband, parents, family, and three small children. I was stunned when her grieving family was also subjected to cruel bullying on social media.

I'm not that 9-year-old little girl praying silently each day on the way to school that the bullies would pick on someone else that day. But I am that 25-year-old woman who still has feelings and expects more from humanity.

How did the rape of a young girl become a trending topic? Many of us are appalled that this event occurred and sadly enough it's not the first time.

Teens should stop hiding behind smartphones and plotting to take down their next innocent victims. Bullying is not a joke, whether it takes place in person or behind a keyboard, and it's time for teens to begin acknowledging that.