Adiel was 12 when she took her life after relentless bullying. This is her mum's message.

Just four days after Christmas, Victoria Boyd was faced with the unthinkable when her 12-year-old daughter took her own life.

Adiel Boyd, from Townsville, was the youngest of four children. She was a student at Aitkenvale State School where she excelled academically and musically, speaking three languages fluently and playing several instruments.

"She was a remarkable little girl, remarkable," Victoria Boyd said, via the Townsville Bulletin.

"She was very bright, very intelligent, and she was very loving. She loved everyone. Adiel was such a bright girl and everyone that she knew in her life had a big impact on both parties, on Adiel and the person she interacted with. She was the baby of us all."

The 12-year-old took her life on December 29 after being relentlessly bullied online. Her death has sent shock waves through the Townsville community, with renewed calls to raise awareness of the dangers of cyberbullying for young children, as well as suicide prevention.

"Children are lost in social media. It's the most dangerous tool for a parent because there is a closed space there that I really, really try hard to get into but it's a closed space, social media," Victoria said.

Watch: Does social media negatively impact teens' mental health? Post continues below.

In November 2024, the Labor government passed legislation which bans children under 16 from being on social media or opening new accounts. The minimum age applies to several platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X. 

"The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 amends the Online Safety Act 2021 and requires 'age-restricted social media platforms' to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years from having accounts on their platforms," as per the Government website.

From the time the Bill was introduced, social platforms operating in Australia have 12 months to develop systems to enforce the age restrictions, which are expected to be in place by the end of this year. The eSafety Commissioner will work to ensure compliance with the laws.

The aim of the Bill, which is a part of a broader set of reforms including a new Digital Duty of Care, is to "place a legal obligation on digital platforms to take proactive steps to protect all Australians".

These laws, however, have come too late for Adiel. Even from the privacy of her own home, the young girl couldn't escape the bullying she faced in the playground — where she was socially excluded.

"That is where it was all occurring, in the school grounds, on social media," said her mother Victoria. "She was being bullied by her friends. She was just too beautiful and she just couldn't comprehend.

"It's very shocking, none of us can believe this has happened. Not Adiel."

Adiel and her mum, Victoria. Image: Facebook/Victoria Boyd.

In the wake of the tragic news, Adiel's older sister Tameka has launched a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. The campaign has already raised over $10,000 of the family's $15,000 goal.

"Adiel left a birthmark on everybody she knew in her short 12 years of life," Tameka wrote on the fundraiser.

"Adiel will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts, we her family would like to thank you all in advance for your support during this very sad and unfortunate time."

She went on to encourage others to raise awareness about suicide prevention, especially in children.

You can donate to the Boyd family's GoFundMe here.

Mamamia has contacted Adiel's family for further comment.

If you or anyone you know needs to speak with an expert, please contact your GP or in Australia, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), all of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7.

Feature Image: Facebook/Victoria Boyd.