Back me up
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A film about peer pressure
Although it is unclear why, this film starts with Jack being called to speak with the Head of Pastoral Care. Seen through a series of flashbacks, it becomes obvious that he may be implicated in hurtful online behaviour against someone in school. Although Jack is uncomfortable, his friend, Charlie, puts pressure on him to join in the cyberbullying, saying ‘it’s just a joke’. Charlie sets up an anonymous ‘secrets of the school’ site where he and his friends post gossip and mean comments about others. Charlie, worried that the school is now aware of what has transpired, asks Jack to ‘back him up’ so that he isn’t caught. We also see the friends of the cyberbullying target, Jason, speak about how best to support him. Some would like to stand up for him whereas others feel pressure to say nothing.
Key issues: bystanders, peer pressure, what is a good friend?