The cover of the book
Twelve years ago, the life of Carolina Picchio and his family changed forever. At the age of 14, after undergoing group violence and the humiliation of the spread of the video on social media, Carolina decided to commit suicide, throwing himself from the third floor of his home in Novara.
From that immense pain a light was born: The Carolina Foundation, which carries on the dream of “dear”, as its father called it, of a safer and more conscious digital world for the boys. Monday 6 October, in the Senate of the Republic, Paolo Picchio presented his book The words hurt more than the barrels (De Agostini), a touching and necessary testimony that invites parents, educators and institutions not to turn to the other side. A story that does not only speak of pain, but also of responsibility, love and rebirth.
“Words hurt more than the barrel”: the story of Carolina who changed the way of looking at the network
A defamatory video posted on the net. A letter that becomes a will. The story of a collective wound that opens up to hope.
Twelve years ago, between 4 and 5 January 2013, Carolina Picchio, for everyone Deartook her life at the age of fourteen, after a defamatory video had been widespread on social media. Ski champion, cheerful, generous, loved by his companions, Carolina was a girl full of life. But that night, the fragility of adolescence and public humiliation were transformed into unbearable pain. Before leaving, he left a message that continues to speak still today: “Words hurt more than the barrels “. Words that do not condemn, do not accuse, but ask for understanding, listening, awareness.
A change is born from the history of Carolina
A cultural revolution was born from that tragedy. For the first time in Italy there was openly talk of cyberbullying and the need to protect the youngest in the digital dimension. Since then, Carolina’s father Paolo Picchio has never stopped carrying out his message, transforming pain into civil commitment.
Today, in the book The words hurt more than the barrels (De Agostini), presented yesterday in the Senate of the Republic on the initiative of Senator Lavinia Mennuni, Picchio retraces the story of her daughter: the facts, the investigations, the approval of the first Italian law of prevention and contrast of cyberbullying and the birth of the Carolina Foundation, of which she is honorary president.
“This book – explained Senator Mennuni – says a story that forces us to reflect: our children and teenagers are the first to be protected in digital society. Technology is a gift, but it can become a threat if it is not ruled with responsibility”.
Ivano Zoppi, secretary general of the Carolina Foundation, also recalled how the commitment must not stop in memory: “With the Foundation we try to share Carolina’s message with the boys and parents. Technology is an extraordinary opportunity, but if used badly it becomes a risk. It is necessary more awareness, more dialogue, more digital education”.
Words can save
Today, “Picchio dad” – so they call him the young he meets in schools – he continues to bring his testimony throughout Italy. “Carolina – explains Paolo Picchio – was the first to shout: guys, why are you so insensitive? Don’t you understand that the words hurt more than the barrels? From that cry was born the first trial for cyberbullying and, thanks to her, the first Italian and European law on the subject. But that’s not enough: the discomfort among young people grows, and depression is increasingly widespread. This is why we wanted to create a listening center, in Milan, where children and families can find support and not feel alone “.
Paolo Picchio’s book is a powerful and necessary testimony. It is not only the story of a pain, but a call to collective responsibility: that of parents, teachers, institutions and of all of us, called to build a healthier and more safe digital environment.
Because words, if used with love, can still save.
