Yes, you can kill someone via a text message.

What am I referring to, exactly? In 2014, 17 year old Michelle Carter encouraged her long term boyfriend, Conrad Roy, to go through with his suicide plan. Roy, who had suffered with depression for the majority of his life, had faced both verbal and physical abuse, and did not see purpose in living. However, rather than seeking help for him, Carter aided with his suicide. Communicating primarily via text message, she fought him and his fears of pursuing his death. She taunted him with horrific and encouraging remarks, including, "You keep pushing it [suicide] off, and you never do it...you just have to do it." Even though his hesitation to go through with his death was apparent, her constant motivation led to him going through with it. She was aware that he planned to poison himself with Carbon Monoxide in his truck in a K-Mart parking lot, and even worse, kept quiet about her involvement afterwards.

When I heard about this event, I was appealed at the horrific details of the story and how Carter did nothing to help him. However, I was even more taken aback when I read posts and articles claiming that Carter was not the reason he went through with his suicide, for the articles stated quotes such as, "no one is responsible for other people's actions," and "only you can control your own happiness."'

I will not deny that statement as being true in most cases. However, in this context, it is absolutely false.

As someone who has suffered with depression, and as someone who has been there for others through their own periods of sadness, I will assert this claim: When people are hopeless, broken, or do not see hope, they are especially vulnerable. They are more susceptible than others who are stronger than they are, and they are quick to believe and act upon what others say to them, no matter how horrible it may be.

I am not saying that people are not responsible for their own actions. However, Conrad Roy was suffering, and his girlfriend did not contribute to his confidence and happiness in any way. She used his weaknesses in order to receive pity from others. Although I may not know all of the facts, she most likely suffered from mental illness as well, even if they erupted from her own insecurities.

Following his death, Carter posted various tweets about Roy on Twitter. They stated, "The hardest word to say is goodbye...I'll miss you always my angel" and, "Really missing you tonight." Endless support and well wishes were delivered to her, for they were unaware that she was the reason that Roy was gone.

I am not saying that Conrad Roy did not commit suicide. He did, and it was a result of his anxiety, depression, and brokenness. However, people decide on their own how they treat others, and their actions and words surely affect an individual's well-being, whether they are aware of it or not. Carter's inability to seek help for Roy during his time of struggle is her own fault, and it is even worse that she aided him with his death rather than stop it before it was too late. So yes, one may not have the ability to pull a trigger through a cell phone, but they do have the means to treat others poorly and further contribute to their loss of hope. And that is exactly what Michelle Carter did.