Hannah Smith: Ask.fm 'Happy To Help Police'

The death of a 14-year-old girl who killed herself after being abused online has been described as a "true tragedy" by the website on which she was bullied.

Hannah Smith died on Friday in Lutterworth in Leicestershire after being "cyber-bullied" on the question-and-answer website Ask.fm.

In a statement, the website said: "Hannah Smith's death is a true tragedy. We would like to convey our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

"We have reached out to the Leicestershire Police and would be happy to cooperate with their investigation into the true circumstances of her suicide."

It said it actively "encourages users and their parents to report any incidences of bullying", either by using the in-site reporting button, or via the website's contact page.

"All reports are read by our team of moderators to ensure that genuine concerns are heard and acted upon immediately - and we always remove content reported to us that violates our Terms of Service," the statement added.

Hannah's father Dave has called on Prime Minister David Cameron to ensure social media sites are properly regulated.

He said: "Websites like this are bullying websites because people can be anonymous. If I had not spoken up about this another teenager could be dead next week.

"Ask.fm and sites like this are making millions out of people's misery and it is wrong.

"I would appeal to David Cameron as a Prime Minister and a father to look at this to make sure these sites are properly regulated so bullying of vulnerable people like my daughter cannot take place ...

"Hannah was a bubbly, happy person. She was colourful. She was a normal teenager and was very, very happy."

The site, which is popular with teenagers, allows users to anonymously post comments or questions on another person's profile.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Hannah received messages criticising her appearance and telling her to kill herself.

The day before she took her own life, she posted a picture online which read: "You think you want to die, but in reality you just want to be saved."

Her best friend Georgia Clarke, 14, told Sky News about the abuse Hannah suffered.

She said: "I knew of it, but she never ... she always said it didn't matter ... she wasn't that bothered about it," she said.

Asked what people were saying, she replied: "Things about her family ... like what she looks like."

Writing on Facebook, her father said: "On Friday morning my daughter was found hanged ... (I saw) her Ask.fm account and someone had been telling her to die.

"I have just seen the abuse my daughter got from people on Ask.fm and the fact that these people can be anonymous is wrong.

"The person that created this website should be done for manslaughter. Any parents that have children please don't let them go on this site."

Although people wanting to use Ask.fm have to register an email address and name and date of birth, those posting messages can choose to do so without revealing their identity.

Leicestershire Police said a computer and mobile phone had been taken as part of the investigation into Hannah's death.

The teenager's death is not the first time that Ask.fm, which is based in Latvia, has been criticised.

Ciara Pugsley, 15, and Erin Gallagher, 13, from Ireland, took their own lives in separate incidents last year after being bullied on the site.

A petition urging action against Ask.fm and similar sites has now been set up on the Government's e-petition website.

It claims activity on the site "has led to bullying, mental health problems and suicides as well as grooming".

"(Users) are able to join from the age of 13 and can post anonymously," says the petition.

"There is no option to block other users and only a basic 'report' button."

Hannah's death comes after high-profile criticism of Twitter for not doing enough to deal with abuse, threats and trolling on the site.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org.

:: BeatBullying.org is also available for advice and support.