"I am gay, I am 17 years old, this letter is my last alternative to suicide. I live in a troglodyte society, in a world that does not accept me even though I just was born like this. To be brave does not mean to commit suicide when you are 80 but survive to the teen-age years being aware of the fact that you've never done something wrong except for following your own feelings, without defects or depravities". This is the beginning of the letter of a gay teenager to La Repubblica - one of the most important Italian newspapers. Davide Tancredi, the author of the letter, wrote about the Italian society and government in a direct and heartfelt way of a teenager. The letter was published just a few days ago and it proved impossible for some to ignore such a cry for help. The speaker of parliament - Barbara Boldrini - was one of them and she decided to reply to this in the same newspaper Sunday edition. Boldrini said that she wrote the letter not just to reply to Davide, but also to talk about Carolina, a 14 years old girl that committed suicide in January after many episodes of cyber bullism: "The new media's capabilities are tools of freedom, emancipation, cultural enrichment and socialization. But if they are used for hurting, scarring and violating somebody else, we can't close our eyes. How much are ‘OUR' youngsters aware of the effects of a distort use of social media?" Boldrini wrote a letter as a mother first and as a politician also, giving the promise of a law against homophobia in Italy, which does not exist yet. Does she really mean it? Only the time can answer.

New media is now a fundamental part of our world, most of us use it everyday; life without it, seems unimaginable to a lot of people. The freedom of expression that it has given us, is and can be used for great things, but some abuse it. I don't think I am exaggerating if I use the word ‘pioneer' to describe the work of DAA, in using it to reach out to young people around the world. I now also feel the responsibility to use this new medium in a positive way, and hopefully also to inspire others along the way. We all should, whether we like it or not we are part of this "universe" - and the best part we are - so let us be the difference.