Problem- Solution Essay Draft 2

Cyber-bullying in  Singapore

Singapore ranked 2^nd in the world for cyber bullying (only behind the US). Widespread access to Internet contributes to this alarming statistic (Scott, 2013). To address the issue, the government recently passed a Harassment bill allowing for judiciary action against offenders. Yet this measure seems to be inadequate in addressing the issue.  Current measures that are primarily focused on adults are not comprehensive in tackling the issue. In fact research reflect, that the greatest victims of cyber-bullying are teenagers between the ages of 8-17 (Family & Life, 2014). Being a largely conservative Asian society, social stigma that exists within the society, prevents open discourse about the issue. This exacerbates the harm and impedes any form of resolution. A holistic solution would then be a partnership between the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Social and Family development (MSF) and parents. The aim is to create a cohesive society where individuals believe in edifying each another. This reduces the intent to commit the act as well as provide the atmosphere where treatment can be better administered.

Bullying is often a rite of passage that one goes through in life. Advancement in Internet technology only shifted it’s ‘playing-field’ from the playground onto the Internet. The tradition act of inflicting wilful and repeated harm on others has just taken on an electronic form (Family & Life, 2014). Yet it’s impact has been exacerbated. Particularly in Singapore, where 33% out of 4000 students surveyed, claim to have experienced some form of cyber-bullying in their lives (Baig, 2014). The Internet, especially social media, has increased the exchanges between individuals, albeit one that is sometimes conducted in anonymity.  This empowers individuals to commit the offence, as they are able to hide behind the screen of anonymity. Social media has also exacerbated the impact of cyber-bullying, by hurling insults online; it creates a herd mentally, where there is now a greater audience persecuting the victim. While the effects of bullying ranges the depression to societal deviant behaviour, the suicide by a 16-year old Burmese girl, after her ex-boyfriend hurled insults at her, highlights the severity of the issue.

Current measures such as the harassment act do not suffice in addressing the problem.  The harassment act, which allows for policing and civil actions to be taken against offenders (Neo, 2014), is a reactive measure that does not deal with the crux of the problem. Moreover, the target group of cyber-bullying are mainly teenagers, being under-aged the effectiveness civil and legal actions against them are largely nullified. Attempts at resolving the problem have to be targeted at removing the intent of the act. To achieve that outcome, steps have to be taken towards creating a cohesive society.

The key to constructing a cohesive society lies in education. Starting at the top, with policies constructed by the Ministry of Social and Family development (MSF).  It’s mission to “nurturing a resilient and caring society that can overcome challenges together” (MSF, n.d.) coincides with the desire to eliminate cyber-bullying. MSF could host various carnivals around Singapore that focuses on generating awareness for cyber bullying. This would evoke discussion about the topic, creating awareness and concurrently reduce the stigma that surrounds the issue. The games at the carnival would also provide a fun and light-hearted atmosphere for fellow Singaporeans to mingle and bond.  From this event, the objective is to allow for families to bond and parents  to gain important knowledge about parenthood.  As homes are safe havens for children, parents should build an environment where their children are affirmed and comfortable. Many a times, the victims of cyber bullying are those who are quiet and mild. Hence having an assuring family behind them would equip them with the confidence to stand up against the offenders as well as to stand up for others. In the event that, the bullying that has already occurred, a family that has a habit of open discussion would allow for early detection and better counselling. Therefore the carnivals hosted by MSF would act as a platform for both family bonding and as well as a medium to impart proper parenting skills that is crucial in the fight against cyber bullying.

Education should also be specifically concentrated on the target groups of teenagers. Being teenagers, they are at the stage where proper guidance in imperative for correct social behaviour. Since teenagers spent most of their time outside of home in schools, the Ministry of Education (MOE) should be involved in the next step of education.  Complementing the formal transmission of guidelines for responsible behaviour online, the Ministry should also devote more time to create occasions for students to forge friendships.  Teenagers between the ages of 8-17 are under-going puberty. They are at a rebellious point of their lives where they are guided largely by irrational emotions.  Hence even with disciplinary actions or guidelines in place to educate them, the effectiveness would largely be negated. In fact, it might even trigger the “forbidden fruit” syndrome, where they would challenge these boundaries. Thereby the feasible method tailored to the age group, is to foster friendship amongst them. Research has also showed that cyber-bullies are often people who have been bullied (No Bullying, 2015). Having an environment that encourages edification amongst student would therefore be the optimal solution to stop the ‘domino-effect’ of cyber-bullying.

Although the fruits of creating a cohesive society would take time to bear, it should not dampen the resolve to carry it out. Education plays an important role in these process and the various government agencies should take the initiative in engaging the society. Nevertheless, education is only a means to and end, and should the final goal is to create a cohesive society for all to live in.  This measures would thereby resolve the issue at its crux and complement the current measures that only serves as deterrence.

(972 words)

References

Cyber bullying statistics 2014. (2015). Retrieved Mar 9, 2015, from http://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-statistics-2014/

Nawira Baig. (2014, Aug 15). 1 in 3 students in Singapore have been victims of cyberbullying. Retrieved on 9 Mar, 2015, from Vulcan Post :https://sg.news.yahoo.com/1-3-students-singapore-victims-070013753.html

Neo Chai Chin. (2014, Mac 14).  Anti-harassment laws to fight ‘social scourge’.  Retrieved on 9 Mar, 2015, from Today: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/anti-harassment-laws-fight-social-scourge

New law takes on cyberbullying in Singapore. (2014). Retrieved Mar 9, 2015, from http://nobullying.com/new-law-takes-on-cyberbullying-in-singapore/

Meiling Wong, C ( n.d).  The class bully. Retrieved on 9 Mar, 2015, from http://sg.theasianparent.com/bullying_in_singapore/

Singapore is the second highest nation of cyberbullies. (2014). Retrieved Mar 9, 2015, from http://familyandlife.sg/Nurture/2014/03/Singapore_Second_Highest_Nation_Cyberbullies

Scott, R. (2013, Jan 28). What you really need to know about cyber-bullying in singapore. Retrieved on Mar 9, 2015, from Singapore Business Review: http://sbr.com.sg/information-technology/commentary/what-you-really-need-know-about-cyber-bullying-in-singapore

Problem - Solution Essay draft #1

Singapore ranks among top in world rankings for standard of living and development. But not known to many is that Singapore is also infamous for it’s ranking of cyber bullying (second in the world, only behind the US). An in-depth analysis of the issue revealed that the root cause of cyber bullying was the lack of due recognition of it as being a ‘problem’.  In recent times however, the government has taken due steps such as passing a bill to allow judiciary actions against offenders, to address the issue. Yet such measures seems to be inadequate in addressing the issue at hand. Both the occurrence and effects of cyber bullying take its biggest toll at teenagers and adolescents. Current measures that focus primarily on adults are not comprehensive in tackling the issue. Effective communication is key in resolving the issue. However being a largely conservative Asian society, social stigma does exist within the society, which avoids open discourse about the issue. A holistic solution would then be a partnership between the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Community, Youth and sports (MCYS) and parents. The aim is to create a cohesive society where individuals believe in edifying one another. This reduces the intent to commit the act as well as provide the atmosphere where treatment can be better administered.

Bullying is known to leave severe psychological effects on teenagers and adolescents. Self- mutilations, depression, and withdrawal from social activities are just a few effects that come from bullying. With the ever-increasing usage of social media, bully has evolved from physical contact to that of cyber contact. The difficult issue of handling cyber-bullying is the lack of its definition as a problem. The common perception that what happens online is regarded as “child-play” and often glimpsed over.  There is also a lack of awareness of the various acts that constitute cyber bullying.  Different people hold different perceptions to what constitutes cyber bullying. However the effects of it are still equally devastating regardless however minute the act might be.  

While acknowledging that bullying, whether online of offline, is an age-old problem that is hard to tackle, the social stigma associates cyber bullying with shame and trivial hampers any form of solution. To address the problem at its roots, the only way is to change the mind-set of people via proper education.  Acknowledging the issue at hand was a right step forward, when the harassment bill was endorsed by parliament in 2013. But yet in general, the Singapore public avoids any form of discourse over the issue.  By openly discussing the issue, would allow the average Joe on the street to view the implications of cyber-bullying objectively. Open discussion would also allow for any misconceptions to be clarified. This would eliminate the shame or trivial that is currently attached to cyber bullying.

Since children spent most of their time in school, it is important to address the issue there.  MOE should firstly implement guidelines and syllabuses to educate students about cyber bullying and it’s effects. Since most students who are affected by the cyber bullying are often at the age of adolescents, many of them commit the offence unknowingly and without full awareness of the impact. Hence schools play a vital role in transmitting correcting and educating their students about cyber-bully.

Although the effectiveness of such a policy might be vague and hard to measure, it is important and vital that it be carried out. Education plays an important role changing the mindsets of people who form the foundation for a cohesive society. While it might take a long time and is definite not as effective as a direct law that bans cyber bullying, it is a solution that is comprehensive. Moreover schools are often where the most social interactions occur among the targeted group of teenagers. Hence teachers with proper training can identify victims and counsel them before any greater wreckage occurs.

One Influential event

National service was one influential event that changed my life. From the experience, I inculcated valuable lessons that have shaped my vision, and values.

            During Basic Military Training School, what I learnt most was discipline.  We were forced to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones to go beyond our initial physical limits. Especially for me who was obese for almost all of my life, this provided the crucial foundation that I needed to kick-start my sliming routine.  Riding on the momentum I gained during National service I was able to continue this exercise routine till today.

Passing out from Basic Military training (BMT), I was posted temporary a hosting unit in Seletar camp. There I met, for the first time, so many people that were came form diverse backgrounds. Having spent 10 years in the same school followed by 2 years in college, all my life I was surrounded by people who went the same route as me. Through the conversations with my campmates, I began to see the side of Singapore that I never knew existed. Issues of poverty, lack of education opportunities and various social issues that plagued their lives.  This challenged a lot of the beliefs that I was indoctrinated with since young. Upon deeper self-research and discovery it led to my initial involvement in social work. Moreover, it guided me to take up global studies as my major in university.

In conclusion National service has been influential in changing my outlook in life.  National service also taught me important values of discipline that would benefit me indefinitely.

(264 words)