Suicide girl’s father rejects ask.fm self-post claim
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The father of a teenager who was found hanged after receiving hate messages on the social media website ask.fm has reacted angrily to claims that his daughter posted the messages herself.
David Smith, father of 14-year-old Hannah, has accused the company of attempting to “cover their backs” in the wake of her death.
According to The Sunday Times, executives from the site allegedly concluded Hannah had set up most of the anonymous identities herself and sent most of the messages.
That version of events has been challenged by Mr Smith. “They would say that, wouldn’t they?” he told the newspaper.
He reportedly said that he knew the identity of one of those who had bullied his daughter on the site.
“I have evidence she was being bullied by someone on the site. They [the bully] had admitted it.”
The schoolgirl, from Lutterworth, Leicestershire, was found hanged at her home 10 days ago. It emerged she had been taunted for months on the site over her weight and the death of an uncle.
Ask.fm declined to comment on the development.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments