“How does cyberbullying on social media affect teenagers’ mental health, specifically in relation to their risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors?”
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Impact of Cyberbullying on Teenagers’ Mental Health and Suicidal Behavior
Cyberbullying on social media has emerged as a significant concern in recent years, with profound implications for teenagers’ mental health and well-being. This essay aims to explore the detrimental effects of cyberbullying on adolescents, particularly its correlation with an increased risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
1. Psychological Impact of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying exposes teenagers to constant harassment, humiliation, and social exclusion, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The anonymity and reach of social media platforms amplify the psychological distress caused by cyberbullying, making it challenging for teenagers to escape the negative effects.
2. Relationship to Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Studies have shown a strong association between cyberbullying and suicidal ideation among teenagers. The persistent and targeted nature of online harassment can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, ultimately increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or suicide attempts among vulnerable adolescents.
3. Impact on Mental Health Services
The prevalence of cyberbullying has underscored the need for enhanced mental health support services for teenagers. Schools, parents, and healthcare providers must be vigilant in recognizing the signs of cyberbullying and providing timely intervention and support to mitigate the risk of suicidal behaviors among affected adolescents.
4. Prevention and Intervention Strategies
Effective prevention strategies should focus on promoting digital literacy, fostering a culture of empathy and respect online, and establishing clear reporting mechanisms for cyberbullying incidents. Intervention efforts should involve counseling services, peer support programs, and collaboration with social media platforms to address cyberbullying promptly.
5. Call to Action
It is imperative for parents, educators, policymakers, and social media companies to work collaboratively in combating cyberbullying and safeguarding teenagers’ mental health. By raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, and offering comprehensive support systems, we can create a safer online environment for adolescents and reduce the risk of suicidal behaviors associated with cyberbullying.
In conclusion, cyberbullying on social media poses a grave threat to teenagers’ mental health, increasing their susceptibility to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. By understanding the detrimental impact of cyberbullying, advocating for effective prevention strategies, and prioritizing mental health support services, we can strive towards creating a safer and more nurturing online environment for adolescents.
