Understanding Cyberbullying: Effects and Differences from Traditional Bullying

Definition of Cyberbullying

Read the following article and then answer the questions that follow:

1. Cyberbullying is when one person does something nasty to another, a number of times, on purpose, with the intent to upset the other person. Cyberbullying can happen via social media (such as Facebook or Instagram), via an app (like Snapchat), or even via text messaging or emails. Cyberbullying has been a problem for a while, and roughly, one in four young people will experience it at some stage in their lives.

2. As cyberbullying is constantly changing due to new technology and new communication platforms, the way it is defined is also debated among researchers who study it. Traditionally, bullying involves a power imbalance between the victim and the bully. In other words, the bully is generally physically stronger than the victim. This may not always be the case in cyberbullying and being “stronger” is also harder to define, since the bullying occurs via technology, so the difference in “strength” is not easy to identify.

3. The idea that the bullying needs to be repeated many times is also more complicated when we think about cyberbullying. Generally, face-to-face bullying occurs repeatedly, at school or out of school. On the other hand, a cyberbullying act only needs to happen once, and then, it can be shared or brought back up over and over again, even days later. That means that a single cyberbullying post is enough to potentially create a large number of bullying incidents.

4. Another complicated aspect of cyberbullying is the idea of intent, which means hurting someone on purpose. Generally, in face-to-face bullying, the bully is purposefully trying to hurt the victim. Cyberbullying, however, can sometimes happen when the person doing the bullying may not realize how upsetting what he or she is doing actually is for the victim, or the bully may think that what he or she is doing is a joke. The problem here is that, even if the bully was joking around, the victim may be as upset about the incident as he would have been if the bully had been intentionally trying to upset him. So, you can see that including the intent to cause harm in the definition of cyberbullying is a complicated idea.

5. Cyberbullying can have terrible consequences, whether the person is the victim or the bully. Researchers all over the world are trying to think of ways to help young people deal with cyberbullying. Some young people can get (or have worse) mental health problems because of cyberbullying. Sadly, a lot of young people do not ask for help when they are cyberbullied. Young people can often feel like no one will understand what they are going through or that nothing can be done to fix the cyberbullying. Young people might also be afraid that their parents will take their technology away or that their parents will come to the school and embarrass them. As a result, the victims of cyberbullying may start to isolate themselves and feel alone, and this can have drastic consequences for their overall wellbeing and mental health.

Debate on Cyberbullying among Researchers

6. It can be hard to tell if someone is being cyberbullied if that person does not tell anyone. So, it is important for young people to look out for one another and keep an eye out for any changes in friends’ behaviour, such as no longer being interested in things they used to love or spending more and more time at home alone. This means that it is really important for young people to stay connected with their family, friends, and wider community, and reach out if they experience cyberbullying, because remaining socially connected can really help.

I. Give complete answers to the following questions: 10 Points (Each answer is worth one point)

1. Give a suitable title to the article.

2. Why can’t researchers give one single, unchanging definition of ‘Cyberbullying’?

3. What can be the effect of one single cyberbullying post? 

4. What do cyberbullying victims think will happen if they involve their parents?

5. What is paragraph 5 mainly about?

6. Mention at least two differences between Bullying and Cyberbullying.  

7. Inten and purpose are ………………….

A. Opposites  

B. Dissimilar

C. Synonyms    

D.Antonyms 

8. The relationship between paragraphs 3 and 4 is one of …………………… 
A. Contrast

B. Comparison

C. Continuation

D. Condition

9. A cyberbullying act only needs to happen …………. to spiral out of control.

A. Multiple times

B. Twice

C. Thrice

D. Once 

10. The signpost phrase ‘On the other hand’ in paragraph 3 establishes a logical relationship of ……………… before and after it. 
A. Condition

B. Contrast

C. Similarity

D. Purpose

II. Rewrite the following sentences: 3 Points (Each answer is worth half a point)

1. I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.

2. We had better stop for petrol soon. The tank is almost empty. 

3. Perhaps I will get a high mark.
 
4. Let’s go to the cinema tonight.

5. The last time she phoned me was three months ago.  

6. Cleopatra School is more successful than Hill School.

III.Use a suitable modal verb 4 Points (Each answer is worth half a point)

1. When I was a child, I …………………………… understand adults.

2.…………………… I see your passport, please?

3.He sees very badly, he …………………. wear glasses all the time.

4. Pedestrians …………… either use the crosswalk or cross the street at the traffic lights.

5. The buses were all full; I ……………………… take a taxi.

6. You ……………………. drive fast; there is a speed limit here.

7 .…………………. we all go to the football match tonight?

8. I know she was in because I heard her radio, but she didn’t open the door. She ………… (hear) the bell.

1.  Open your student book on page 38 and write Frederick Bartlett’s conclusions about how people remember stories.2 Points  

2. Go back to theme 2 page 59 and explain what is meant by the title Social Games and Relationships according to the article. 2 Points

3. In some cultures, people make a promise after they apologize. How about your culture? 2 Points

4. Give a synonym for the following vocabulary items.

IV. Writing & Research (20 Points)

Decision making is a complicated issue and key decision makers within the family differ depending on the weight of the decision and its importance. Study the part on decision making in Theme Two; Pages 61,62,63,64,65&66 and then write an essay of not less than 300 words on how decisions are taken and who normally takes them in your culture.