← All questionsGS4 · 2023 · Case Studies — Individual Morality ·Cyberbullying and Social Media (Case)
QUESTION 12
GS4
20 marks

You hold a responsible position in a ministry in the government. One day in the morning you received a call from the school of your 11-year-old son that you are required to come and meet the Principal. You proceed to the school and find your son in the Principal's office. The Principal informs you that your son had been found wandering aimlessly in the grounds during the time classes were in progress. The class teacher further informs you that your son has lately become a loner and did not respond to questions in the class, he had also been unable to perform well in the football trials held recently. You bring your son back from the school and in the evening, you along with your wife try to find out the reasons for your son's changed behaviour. After repeated cajoling, your son shares that some children had been making fun of him in the class as well as in the WhatsApp group of the students by calling him stunted, dumb and a frog. He tells you the names of a few children who are the main culprits but pleads with you to let the matter rest. After a few days, during a sporting event, where you and your wife have gone to watch your son play, one of your colleague’s son shows you a video in which students have caricatured your son. Further, he also points out to perpetrators who were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk past them with your son and go home. Next day, you find on social media, a video denigrating you, your son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in physical bullying of children in the sports field. The video became viral on social media. Your friends and colleagues began calling you to find out the details. One of your juniors advised you to make a counter video giving the background and explaining that nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted a video which you have captured during the sporting event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were responsible for your son’s predicament. You have also narrated what has actually happened in the field and made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the misuse of social media.(a) Based on the above case study, discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of social media.(b) Discuss the pros and cons of using social media by you to put across the facts to counter the fake propaganda against your family.

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

After your son is bullied and a fake video targets your family, you post a counter video naming likely perpetrators. Discuss social media ethics and the pros and cons of your response.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1(a) Issues: cyberbullying of children, privacy, fake news and virality, right to reputation, responsibility of platforms and parents≈50 words
  2. 2(b) Pros of counter video: correcting facts, protecting family reputation, raising awareness≈50 words
  3. 3(b) Cons: exposing children (perpetrators are minors too), escalation, misuse of your position, it is retaliation, not resolution≈50 words
  4. 4Better path: school authorities, parents' meeting, cyber cell complaint, platform takedown, counselling for your son≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

(a) ethical issues(b) prosConsBetter approachConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Supporting the naming of minors on social media
  • Ignoring the son's well-being

Draw this

  • Pros/cons table plus a 'better route' box

Value addition

  • LawIT Rules, 2021 require platforms to remove content harming a child or impersonating a person on complaint, within set timelines.IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
  • LawJuvenile Justice Act, 2015 (Section 74) bars disclosing the identity of children in conflict with law.Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

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