The family of a teenager thought to have killed himself believe bullying about his taste in music on a social networking site may have contributed to his death.
Sam Leeson, 13, who was a fan of heavy metal music and emo - a genre that has its origins in hardcore punk rock - was found hanged at his home in Tredworth, near Gloucester, last Thursday.
His family said yesterday that he had been the victim of abuse from people posting on Bebo, the networking site.
His sister Emma said: "We saw him as always happy and smiling, but we now think there has been some name-calling about the whole emo thing. We know some bullying has been going on, and we are disgusted and angry about it."
Leeson's profile page on the website was covered in pictures of emo bands and emo-style lyrics; it is thought to have been bombarded with offensive postings deriding the teenager and his taste in music. Emo - short for "emotional hardcore" - has a large teenage following ,with many sporting characteristic dark clothing and dyed black hair. Notable bands include My Chemical Romance and Embrace.
His mother, Sally Cope, said: "I'm not sure what influence these sites have; but if they are a method of expressing things, maybe they should be checked more.
"He was into his appearance, and often wore black skinny jeans. He was an alternative dresser, and I think other teenagers used to make comments about that."
Describing her son as quiet and thoughtful with a lot of friends, Cope said that the family would be willing to start a campaign to help depressed teenagers. She said: "We want to help the quiet ones who are perhaps suffering and no one knows, so this tragedy doesn't happen to another family."
The family said they had been overwhelmed by the number of floral tributes and messages left at the gates of Severn Vale school in Quedgeley, where Leeson was a pupil. Fellow pupils wore black ties this week in his memory.
Peter Rowland, headteacher, said: "The staff and students are shocked and saddened. Sam was a popular student and one who was wonderfully creative in his writing and his work."
Leeson's webpage has since been taken down, but another, started by friends to share tributes, has more than 200 members.
One member, calling herself Katie-Ed, left a message that read: "It's disgusting how horrible some people can be and I hope that they live with the guilt for the rest of their lives because it's so wrong."
Some have criticised emo culture for promoting a morbid outlook on life. Last September Hannah Bond, a 13-year-old from Peckham, south-east London, took her life. In May more than 100 young emo fans demonstrated in London against an accusation by the Daily Mail that the culture was "characterised by depression, self-injury and suicide".
A spokesman for Bebo said: "Bebo continues to actively work with mental health and social care organisations, including the Samaritans, to provide support and advice for its members."
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