Outlines

In this part of the study guide, you are invited to give an outline of the views on cyber-bullying presented in text 1 and text 2.

Text 1: “One in five children is victim of cyber-bullying – with girls targeted most”

Text 1 is written by Nina Lakhani and it was published in 2011 on the website of The Independent, a British newspaper. Overall, the article presents the author’s negative view towards cyber-bullying.

The author argues that one in five children is the potential victim of cyber-bullying, with girls being targeted by bullies more often than boys. Cyber-bullying often takes the form of hateful messages sent online or via mobile phones, something which is far more dangerous than physical bullying because children cannot escape it:

“They cannot come home from school, shut their bedroom door and feel safe, because as soon as they switch on the computer or receive a text, the potential is there. It is much harder to avoid than traditional bullying because avoiding the internet and mobile phones just isn’t an option; these are as much part of a young person’s life as brushing their teeth.” (p. 2, ll. 18-22)

The author also draws attention to the imminent danger of shameful or hateful messages and pictures going “viral” (p. 2, l. 8) and affecting the mental health of those who become the targets of cyber-bullying.

What is more, the author is extremely concerned because of the “devastating consequences” (p. 2, l. 10) of cyber-bullying: children and teenagers being pushed to end their lives:

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Text 2: “Hate and the internet: Does the internet encourage insidious and bullying behaviour?”

Text 2 is written by Aleks Krotoski and it was published in 2010 on the website of The Guardian, another British newspaper. Overall, the author tries to be objective when it comes to his analysis of cyber-bullying and its effects.

To begin with, the author uses his own example to show how easy it is for teenagers to pursue cyber-bullying. He states that his first encounter with the online world was in 1996 when the internet “was still very much in its infancy” (p. 4, ll. 2-3):

So it was with cocky confidence that I joined the “general” room as “Dan” (of undisclosed gender) and instantly discovered the thrill of anonymity. Behind my digital mask, I began a brief but satisfying tirade of mockery, contrariness and antisocial behaviour. (p. 4, ll. 6-8)

Through his example, the author argues that it is very easy for teenagers to express hateful messages under the mask of anonymity because they are sure that they cannot be caught.

The author also views the internet as an “agnostic communication platform” (p. 4, l. 14), but feels that several aspects “encourage antisocial behaviour” (p. 4, l. 16).

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