Part of the reason I intensely dislike people who put their own fun or sense of self-righteousness before other people's emotions is that emotions are an aspect of the psyche. A lot of what these people do is harmful to other people's emotions, and thus harmful to their psyche. In short, their asshattery is causing quantifiable harm to other people.
That's not to say that this is permanent harm. Like most physical cuts and bruises, emotional wounds can heal. In fact, sometimes they can heal even quicker than physical wounds. However, just like real gashes and broken limbs, deep enough wounds can heal wrong, leave scars, or become "infected". In short, people don't realize it, but their mockery of other people is actually harmful on some level.
At best, an emotional wound can heal in seconds. At worst, it lasts for a lifetime... and can end one very quickly.
As far as developing a thick skin goes, yes, that much is true. However, this is also victim blaming. While developing a thick skin is always wise, it's not something you can do on command, and it shouldn't be the victim's responsibility. It should be the jerk's responsibility to not be a jerk. Not to mention some people, especially those who suffer from depression, are sometimes unable to develop that thick skin.
The correct social response to acts of bullying and causing emotional harm to other people is to discourage it. Unfortunately, because of various social effects, what ends up happening is that the asshole is lauded for being an asshole. All sorts of justifications and victim-blaming are use. It's even mocked. "Awww, did your fee fees get hurt? lol."
Yeah, emotional harm isn't exactly the end of the world, but it's not as insignificant as being nothing. And what's worse, people think that because it's said over the internet, it should be treated less seriously. If it would be abuse to say it in real life to another person, it should be considered abuse to say it on a forum or in a chat room. But because people perceive it to be less serious, they're more likely to be abusive.
Anyone else want the soapbox?
There's been some more looking into it by the same people I mentioned before. Behind the spoiler tag is the current set of facts that one listed as we know:
Spread
* About 4-5 days ago, this story broke on Equestria Daily and Reddit.
* It was posted by the mother, who also opened Facebook and Twitter accounts for her son.
* Also was posted to George Takei's facebook page, because his preaches acceptance.
Confirmation
* Equestria Daily and the people who ran the charity stream are the only sources of confirmation. This is after they talked to the family.
* Some of the VA's have expressed their support, claiming it's true after talking to the family. However, some of them have deleted their links.
* A fundraiser was set up after talking to the family.
* Photo's released over Twitter of a young boy in a neck brace. He is surrounded by plush ponies.
Concerning Factors
* All confirmations have either been through the phone or Skype. No one has met him IRL.
* Official story is Michael attempted suicide due to excessive bullying for liking MLP
* One post by an aunt mentions Michael attempted suicide after a fight with his brother.
* Mother acknowledges the fight, but claims it had nothing to do with the suicide attempt.
* Mother asks people stop discussing the validity of her claims and rumors.
* Information of where to send gifts is being withheld from the public.
* To get this information, one must contact the fundraisers who have "confirmed" this story.
* Someone claiming be a friend of the family makes anonymous posts on Equestria Daily, saying it's real.
* Said person also admits to never having met Michael, claiming she lives 2-3 hours away and went to school with the mother.
* Family goes to bronies, asking for donations.
* They also want this story to go viral.
* No media coverage in 4-5 days. Not even a local newspaper.
* Comments were disabled on a youtube video for the recovery campaign.
* Donation email goes to a business. Donation Website is ran by a non-relative.
* Whenever donation website meets a goal, it raises it. Currently over $20,000 raised, which is the current goal.
Take all that in together, in context; scam.
It's real.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfMyVozCIAAoOrb.jpg:large)