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.