"Some users of the site even taunted the 42-year-old over her final status update instead of trying to save her, calling her a “liar” and saying the fatal overdose was 'her choice'."

"Yesterday her mother, Jennifer Langridge, said she was shocked and upset that nobody did anything for her daughter despite being aware of her threats."

"Mental health charities said the case was a sad reflection on today’s society where friends made online are not necessarily friends in real life."

The ability to be more connected seems to have commoditized friendships.

The article admits of claims by some friends who lived far away trying to obtain help, and a claim that this woman had basically "cried wolf" before.

But the trend does seem to be a cheapening of what friendship means.