GEORGE NEWS - Two George High School girls - in Grade 11 and 12 - have been left shaken after a Facebook account appeared, listing them, among others, in a highly sexualised and derogatory post.
The incident, which reportedly mirrors a similar episode last year, has them fearing for their safety at school.
These learners say that when they reported the post to the principal, the Facebook account was deactivated, but the creator could not be traced.
They claim the situation has not been fully resolved, and that they continue to face taunts and threats from their peers. The one girl’s mother stated that the cyberbullying of last year had affected her daughter’s schoolwork and was a factor in her having to repeat a grade.
School response and support
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson to the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED), says George High School confirmed that it is taking the matter seriously and is actively addressing it through established protocols.
“Counselling support has been provided to the affected learners, and safe spaces have been created for the learners to report further incidents. An internal investigation is under way, though the anonymity and deletion of the Facebook post present challenges in identifying those responsible.”
Hammond says the school is also focused on prevention.
Efforts include educating learners about responsible social media use, digital citizenship, the legal and psychological consequences of cyberbullying, and peer-to-peer mentorship programmes that promote positive behaviour. Information sessions for parents are planned to help them understand the social media landscape and how to support their children online.
Act responsibly when encountering harmful posts - by stopping the sharing, deleting the content and reporting it to the social media platforms.
Cyberbullying: A growing concern
The WCED notes that cyberbullying is a growing issue both nationally and globally, fuelled by social media and the anonymity it can provide.
“These posts show a lack of humanity and compassion,” says Hammond. “They can cause deep pain and trauma for the victims, and the further distribution of such content only heightens the risk.”
Parents, caregivers and learners are urged to act responsibly when encountering harmful posts - by stopping the sharing, deleting the content and reporting it to the social media platforms. The WCED has produced online videos showing how to #StopTheShare, available on wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/anti-bullying.
Support resources
Learners or parents needing immediate support may contact the WCED Safe Schools Call Centre on 0800 45 46 47. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) also provides a 24-hour helpline on 0800 12 13 14, and a suicide emergency number, 0800 567 567.
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