November 14, 2011
Parents of Webcam Victim Return to Rutgers
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
The parents of a Rutgers University student who committed suicide last year have returned to the school for a symposium on use and misuse of social media.
Joseph and Jane Clementi's message: "Change begins with you."
Their son, Tyler, was in his first weeks as a student at Rutgers in September 2010 when he killed himself after a roommate allegedly used a webcam to spy on Clementi's intimate encounter with another man.
The saga sparked a national conversation about how young gays and lesbians are treated.
Clementi's father spoke to introduce the conference, saying the foundation they're starting in their son's honor will address cyberbullying.
The foundation was a co-sponsor of the symposium.