Moelle knows that her best friend, Jaelen, has been receiving mean and threatening social media messages from another student in their class. This student has also been bullying Jaelen after school on the bus. Jaelen is very upset by what is happening but thinks telling a teacher or her parents will make the situation worse. She makes Moelle promise to keep the bullying secret—something Moelle does because she wants to be a good friend. After a few weeks of these messages and threats, Moelle notices that Jaelen has started to become depressed. Moelle breaks her promise and decides to tell an adult about the bullying behavior. Why does Moelle break her promise? Is she being a good friend or a bad friend by breaking her promise and reporting the bullying and cyberbullying? What are some ways that Moelle and Jaelen could have prevented or intervened earlier to stop the bullying and cyberbullying? What would you do in a similar situation?

Answer 1

Moelle breaks her promise because she recognizes that the situation is more serious than just a matter between friends; Jaelen’s mental health is at risk due to the ongoing bullying and cyberbullying. Moelle likely feels that protecting her friend from emotional harm outweighs the importance of keeping a secret. By reporting the bullying, she is acting in Jaelen's best interest, which makes her a good friend in this context.

Breaking a promise can feel like a betrayal, but when it comes to issues of safety and mental health, it is essential to prioritize well-being over secrecy. By informing an adult, Moelle is seeking help to address the situation that Jaelen is unable or unwilling to confront herself.

In terms of prevention or earlier intervention, here are a few strategies Moelle and Jaelen could have considered:

1. Open Communication: Jaelen could have expressed her feelings about the bullying to Moelle early on, seeking support rather than asking her to keep it a secret.
2. Documenting Incidents: Jaelen could have kept a record of the bullying messages and actions, which would provide concrete evidence if they decided to report it later.
3. Encouraging Reporting: Moelle could have encouraged Jaelen to speak to a trusted adult about her experiences rather than keeping it secret.
4. Reaching Out for Support: They could have both spoken to a school counselor or a safe adult together who could help them navigate the situation.
5. Peer Support Groups: Joining or forming a support group at school for those experiencing bullying could provide both friendship and solidarity.
6. Creating a Safety Plan: They could have developed strategies to avoid situations where bullying occurs, such as sitting with friends on the bus.

In a similar situation, I would prioritize the safety and well-being of my friend over keeping a secret. I would try to encourage my friend to tell someone about the bullying, but if they were reluctant and the consequences were severe, I would feel compelled to get help from an adult. It’s vital to support friends, but standing up against bullying is crucial to ensure that the friend feels safe and supported in the long run.

Answer 2

can you just give me 3 sentenses

Answer 3

Moelle breaks her promise to help Jaelen because she realizes that the bullying is severely affecting Jaelen's mental health. By reporting the bullying, Moelle is being a good friend, prioritizing Jaelen's safety over the secrecy of their promise. To intervene earlier, they could have communicated openly about the bullying, documented incidents, and sought support from a trusted adult together.