It’s the first time in the history of my school career that I can’t wait to stand up in front of the class and speak. Figo helps me prepare a PowerPoint presentation. People still ignore me and I’m getting used to it. But at least Figo and I hang out together every day. Although, when I see Lerato it freaks me out, especially because she always seems to be with Andile.
Finally the speech day arrives. I stand up and announce I’m going to talk about cyber-bullying. The class snorts, trying to hide their laughter; Mr Kani nods, surprised. I start my PowerPoint. I talk about what hacking is and how some kids hack into accounts to set other kids up. These kids are nothing more than victims of jealousy. I pull up my cellphone account and use it as a ‘hypothetical example’:
“Let’s say that this is the victim’s account.”
Then I pull up Lerato’s cellphone account. The dirty messages are highlighted in yellow. “And let’s say that this is the perpetrator’s account. He – or she – is sending the messages from his – or her – phone, but they appear to come from the victim’s phone.”
Lerato looks numb. The class is silent as I talk about how bullying usin social media happens to forty-five per cent of all South African teenagers, and I list the various hotlines as well as teachers who can help kids deal with this.
“You could have toned down the content of those messages, Nothando. Otherwise, well done.” Mr Kani claps his hands. The stunned class claps too.
Life at school gets better quickly after my English speech. Firstly, I get an ‘A’ for it, and secondly, people speak to me again. Everyone except Lerato. After the speech she bunked PT and went home. When the PT teacher yelled: “Nothando you slacker, do another two laps!” I ran like the wind.
On Monday Lerato comes to school and everyone ignores her. Now she sits alone and stares at her cellphone. I feel sorry for her. After about two weeks I go up to her:
“Hey.”
“Leave me alone, you rich bitch!” she snaps. So much for ‘truth and reconciliation’.
***
Figo and I walk towards class. “Hey, you okay?” I ask because he looks really weird. I soon realise why. Andile is standing right behind him.
“Howzit, Nothando. How you doing?”
“Fine.” I still feel embarrassed when I look at him. “Listen, all those messages … what Lerato did … hey I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”
“Thanks.”
We all stand not looking at each other.
“You want to give us a moment?” Andile turns to Figo.
“Sure,” he moves off. It irritates me a bit.
“So, you want to … hook up this weekend?”
“Maybe. Give me a call. You have my number.” We both laugh. As I walk away I see that Figo has been watching us.
“Hey, dodgy hacker man!”’ I call. “Feel like a trashy superhero movie and a burger this weekend?”
He smiles; it’s the dopiest smile I’ve ever seen. How come I never noticed that before?
“Maybe. Only if you’re paying.” He falls into step with me.
“So, no, let me be the gentleman and pay for the girl?” I challenge.
Figo laughs: “You owe me Thando. This is payback time. What about Andile?”
“What about Andile?” I say. And we head off to English together.
***
Tell us: Have you experienced cyber-stalking, or do you know of anyone who has? How did you solve it?
Readers, please note:
1) What Lerato did to Nothando not only qualifies as cyberbullying it also counts as IDENTITY THEFT which is illegal and punishable by law.
2) It is not advisable to hide the fact that you’re being cyberbullied just because you’re scared your carer will take your phone away. This could potentially make the problem worse and make you feel even more horrible.
Some useful websites:
cybercrime.org.za
cyberaware.org.za
And, if you need help, call Childline – 0800 055 555.
