Learn English meaning of ‘cyberbullying’

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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• hard on
• step in
• suspend
• hormone

• go down the rabbit hole
• victim
• cyberbullying
• peers

• lasting effect

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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The internet is a different world. When people talk on the internet, they can hide their identity. They can say mean or hurtful things that they would never say to someone in real life. No one is there to step in and hold them accountable. This is why teenagers have a lot of trouble feeling safe and secure on the internet.

Cyberbullying is when someone harasses or attacks a victim online. They may spread rumors, gossip, say hurtful things, and more. Over half of all teenagers have been a victim of cyberbullying. Since teenagers care a lot about their peers, cyberbullying can have a negative lasting effect on their self esteem. They may feel very lonely or depressed.

Jordin’s cousin was a victim of cyberbullying. Listen as she talks about his experience with Kelsey in today’s English lesson.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Kelsey

Jordin

Kelsey:  Hey Jordin, how is your cousin doing? I know he was a victim of cyberbullying.

Jordin:  Yeah, he’s doing better. It was really hard on him, though. He was feeling really embarrassed and having a hard time going to school while it was happening. It was really rough on him.

Kelsey:  Yeah, did anybody in the school like the teachers or principals get involved?

Jordin:  Yeah, they ended up stepping in because he was talking to the counselor about what was going on. And the kid that was bullying him actually ended up getting suspended from school. So, that’s a relief!

Kelsey:  Yeah, no, that’s really good!

Jordin:  Yeah, I just feel bad it has such a lasting effect on his self esteem. I’m worried it’s going to be hard for him to recover.

Kelsey:  Yeah, I just can’t imagine dealing with that as like a teenager.

Jordin:  Right, already your hormones are going crazy. And you feel like the world is against you. And then, all of a sudden, you’ve got like this whole other element to deal with.

Kelsey:  And it’s hard to know what to believe because your peers are like everything at that age.

Jordin:  Right, right. And so you feel like you’re super alone and it’s really easy to just go down a rabbit hole.

Kelsey:  Well, keep me posted on how he’s doing and if you know like of any way to help other teens, like I’d be really interesting in helping.

Jordin:  Yeah. Actually, he’s starting a youth group for other teens who are going through the same thing, which is super awesome. So, maybe, you could volunteer.

Kelsey:  Yeah, no that’d be cool!

Jordin:  Awesome!

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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