Month: November 2014

A group of boys sat on an old, worn out bench as the prevailing winds blew . The dark patch of grey gloomy clouds swept across the sky and it started to snow. The group of boys decided to stay. In school, they were labelled as the “unteachables”. Teachers believed they would never go far in life. Never make anything of themselves. As well as being demeaning the boys were also disrespectful to one and other. Most of the boys come from “broken homes”, families where parents or carers don’t show the boys the correct and civilised way to grow up so they had to fend for themselves. Uncivilised. A word that springs into the minds of many as they are observed by the members of the public. The majority of the time the teachers use derogatory terms to describe the boys. It doesn’t really help, as they decide to react in a more ill mannered way. This doesn’t help the boys, but insight the teachers perspective of what they expect from them.

The weather took a severe turn for the worse, despite the snow falling the boys were determined to stay put. One of the friends started to curse as the sky darkened, such profanity was despised by the boys teachers and peers, nevertheless it was still used in such a negligent manner. As they sky darkened a strange tingling feeling ran down one of the boys spine and he was cautious of what could happen. This was the moment at which he decided to show up. Notoriously known as the most vile boy in the school and entire area. Known as Tyrone, his reputation blossomed as did his monstrous nature. His sheer presence startled the boys. The combination of his steely demeanour and his aggressive manner, affected even what came out of the boys vulgar mouths. His presence was feared by all. Everyone feared him because of how he was deeply affected by his fathers incarceration, and the grievous death of his mother.

Frantically one of the boys looked away as he walked past, but he stopped and turned to look at the boys. They didn’t want to make eye contact because of the terrifying and repulsive stories they heard about Tyrone. One dared to stare straight into the eyes of him, it was as if they were staring into the bottomless pit of hell. The scorching red flames blazed more as Tyrone was getting infuriated. Word on the street was he attacked a innocent passer by for stepping on his fresh trainers. Tyrone is referred to as the devil’s favourite son by many. The mood drastically changed. He walked up to them. Their hearts raced, their palms were sweaty as well as their knees becoming weak. Despite the boys made a foolish and idiotic decision to stay, contrary to knowing the boundless measure he would go to just to get his point across.

Standing there silent all the boys were scared of what he would do to them. Crazy thoughts rushing through the minds of all of the boys. As silence fell, you could hear the boys hearts racing, except for one. The smell of fear arose. They could taste the sweat as it relentlessly dripped down their faces. It was so quite you could hear a pin drop.  As Tyrone goes to open his mouth the boy interrupts him. At this point he starts to shake as the nerves wildly take over his body. He starts to sweat uncontrollably and touches his lip. Licking it off he tastes fear. He smells the boys don’t fear him anymore, and looks into their eyes and sees a bottomless pit from hell.

They pushed him to the ground. Boys he idolised and cherished. The unprepossessing nature of the other boys overcame them. This resulted in the abusive attack on the youngest boy. The fact that the boys walked away afterwards shows that had such little respect for him, and how he was seen as inadequate. Tyrone offered a helping hand, but he was reluctant to accept it. Tyrone explained why he acts out the way he does. Gone, the bottomless pit was removed from his eyes, and there was the innocence of inner child that was once before him finally was shown. Looking into his eyes you could see the desperation and the scorching fire burnt out. He understands Tyrone is just misunderstood and needs to someone to direct him. Beginning to realise all he needs is father figure he never had in his life.

Dear Ms Samantha Taylor,

I recently read the article you wrote and how you disagree on the views expressed by the people like Jonathan Franzen and Susan Greenfield. Its not just disheartening but insulting to read the views indicated by the individuals in the article. As a teenager myself I use social media and I do use it on a daily basis and I’m horrified by the views expressed by certain individuals. I use social media sites because it’s easier for me to connect with others, but I still find time to keep my relationships intact because I regularly meet up with people. Are you and John Henley the only people with sense to see that the use of social media can expand the social experience. Personally I strongly believe that the views expressed by the other people mentioned in your article are completely wrong. Teenagers are still able to develop relationships with multiple different other young people. I believe that teenagers can make meaningful relationships, despite the frequent use of the internet to socialise.

Firstly, Jonathan Franzen said online socialising is creating a ‘uniquely shallow and trivial culture, making kids unable to socialise face to face’. What Franzen is suggesting is teenage culture is of little importance and has little depth. I strongly disapprove of the view mentioned by Jonathan Franzen as there is no evidence to support this idea. From personal experiences I can honestly say that online socialising can affect teenagers only if they do not have control.  The way that Jonathan Franzen perceives teenagers is used as a way to target our generation negatively and because of this article peoples views are changed. They have a detrimental affect on peoples views of teenagers and social media. I am disgusted because what Jonathan Franzen has said about teenagers is a succeeding attempt to frantically damage our generation with his views. Teenagers will always be able to socialise as it’s like a natural characteristic they have.

The points raised by Franzen really aggravate me as he mentions teenagers spend too much time online socialising and they cannot relate face to face. I do not believe what he is saying is credible. As a teenager myself I agree that teenagers can use the internet too much, however I don’t agree that it creates a culture of little importance. The internet allows teenagers to have a voice and they challenge authority. It allows teenagers to have freedom to develop their own expression and taste of art. To say that it creates a culture of little importance is diabolical and discouraging.

The internet is used on a daily basis by millions of people. It is unclear as to as why teenagers are constantly being targeted? Why are the views expressed by the people in article specifically targeted at teenagers, when adults are equally at fault. The fact that these views produced negatively impact teenagers and the views people have of us is horrendous. If you come to my school and you will see how teenagers interact with different people it will have a clear indication that the emoticon-addled zombies are the adults who work in a office. They are the ones who are inadequate in society as they find it harder to socialise than teenagers. The technology that teenagers use is advanced and sophisticated.

‘All those countless hours glued to Facebook has turned teenagers into screen enslaved social inadequates’. Forgive me for not understanding how hours spent socialising on Facebook can make me a social inadequate? The use of social media comes with many advantages. Using social media allows different people around the world to connect and learn about different peoples lifestyle, in addition to being able to communicate with family members around the world.  Inadequate are people who are lacking the quality or quantity required to fulfil a role. In my school, social media was used to help connect students and to entice them into completing work as they could do it while talking to friends.

“We could be raising a hedonistic generation who live only in the thrill of the computer-generated moment”. I fail to agree with Susan Greenfield as I think our generation use the most of technology because its not something that was available for older generations when they were younger. Besides 72% of 30-49 and 60% of 50-64 year olds used social media sites according to statistics in may 2013. This shows that not only teenagers use social networking sites contradicting most points made by Susan Greenfield and others. Social networking sites like Facebook can be used as a reminder. A hedonistic generation is created when people go to work and are enslaved behind a computer from 9AM-5PM. Susan Greenfield’s point clearly contradicts itself, if one generation can sit behind a computer on advanced, sophisticated technology why cant teenagers as well.

Yours sincerely Aarif Adenekan

Every child has the right to a name. Every child has the right to play, but why are children being abused? Child abuse is any action by another individual, adult or child that causes noteable harm to a child, it does not have to be physical, sexual or emotional. Children should never feel afraid to in the own house. Why should a child be afraid to speak out about getting neglected or abused? It’s shocking to think someone would harm such an innocent creation from God.

Enough is enough! Why do we just sit here knowing millions of children in the UK are constantly neglected and abused? What if it was your child getting abused by a teacher, your husband or partner? Would you not want them to speak out or would you not want to help them? Selfless and defenseless little babies are being abused. The agony and damaging ordeals that children have to go through. The Children Act 1989 in the United Kingdom is there to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare is developed. It focuses on the idea that children are best cared for within their own families; however it does not protect children all the time. Despite having this legislation children are still being affected. It really aggravates me as is not protecting children in the way it should. We need to eliminate child abuse.

Unite with me today; together we can push for higher sentences if a child is abused! In a large number of child abuse cases, sentencing will typically include probation or a prison sentence of up to five years. This is outrageous. I strongly believe this is not a long enough sentence for such a serious and repulsive issue. We need to increase the minimum amount of years to fifteen, to show abusers we are serious about tackling the issue. Other penalties of child abuse are: lifetime requirement to register as a child sexual offender, termination of parental rights, criminal record and continual involvement with a child protective service agency. These penalties are more beneficial with a longer prison sentences. The penalty vary depending on the severity abuse, age of child, whether the child was physically or mentally injured, and the criminal history of the offender. I disagree with this all child abuse cases should be treated equally. If a child is physically abused, sexual, online or otherwise, it should be treated in the same way. We should treat it harshly and imminently.

We can also create regular check­ups with social services with family members where parents have a history of violence so we can prevent the abuse. Family members with a history of violence are more likely to abuse children. Increasing the amount of check ups from social services can reduce the risk of children getting abused. This allows social services to also work with struggling parents as well as parents with history of violence to make a safe environment for children to stay in. Last year alone CEOP received 18,887 reports relating to child sexual exploitation. This is an issue as it can affect the way children behave. 60% of children or teenagers who commit crimes come from defective families. This affects them negatively as something so appalling has happened to them. The negative affect it has on them both psychologically and emotionally, and could lead to a life of crime. All because parents/carers didn’t take appropriate action to ensure their children were taken care of. When you look in to a child’s eyes you are supposed to see innocence, but no ones who have been abused. All I see is the sickening fear of what could happen next. If we do come together we are more likely to reduce and eventually stop children being neglected and abused.

The signs of child abuse are not always easy to spot and those affected may remain silent because of fear, scared of the consequences if the abuser finds out and worried that it could lead to the abuse getting worse, they suffer in silence. They believe that their is no-one they can tell or they think that no-one will believe them. Sometimes children do not realise that what someone is doing is classed as abuse, and this needs to stop. Never should a child feel as if they can’t talk to anyone. In addition to never feel what they are going through is acceptable. If everybody standing here today is willing to put in the time we can effectively change the lives of millions of kids in the UK only. Not everyone can have their own child, so treat your children correctly. Cherish the child as much as you can, because other people can’t have a child of their own. Yet are equally as willing to take care of a child who is not biologically theirs.

Thanks for listening.