A teenager in Malaysia has jumped off the roof of a building to her death after a poll on Instagram voted for her to die.
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the district police chief, Aidil Bolhassan, the 16-year-old girl, who was not named, had conducted a poll on Instagram with the question: “Really Important, Help Me Choose D/L”.
“Hours later she jumped off the roof of a building in Sarawak, on Malaysia’s east, on Monday,” Mr Bolhassan said.
The “D/L” meant “Death/Life” and the poll had showed 69 per cent of the girl’s followers chose: “D.”
Bolhassan also said that the girl had a history of depression.
Instagram’s spokesperson in Malaysia, Serena Siew, said that the company reviewed the deceased’s account and found that 88 per cent had voted for “L” over a 24-hour period.
Police think that the polls might have changed after news of the girl’s death.
Lawyers in the country are calling for the prosecution of those who voted for her death.
Under Malaysian law, anyone convicted of abetting the suicide of a minor could face death penalty or up to 20 years imprisonment with fine.
Instagram has extended its sympathies to the teenager’s family, saying the company had a responsibility to make its users feel safe and supported.
