Hollyoaks tackles the issue of cyber bullying

Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks is set to explore the issue of cyber bullying as part of an ongoing storyline.

Viewers have recently seen sixth form student Esther bullied by her group of friends, in particular Queen Bee Maddie, and the bullying is set to get much worse over the coming weeks leaving Esther in a lonely place.
When fellow student Dylan creates a new micro-blogging site, ‘DocYou‘ to enter a filmmaking competition, the other sixth formers misuse it and it becomes a platform to broadcast humiliating content about Esther leaving her unable to escape the torment.
DocYou was created by Lime Pictures’ digital team and commissioned by Channel 4 Education, it will explore the issues raised in the main TV drama, taking the lives of its sixth form characters online, with a range of compelling and exclusive content, building on the in-show storylines and released in the form of videos, photos and text posts, highlighting major challenges faced by British teenagers including cyber bullying, relationships, privacy and the dangers and pitfalls of revealing too much online. The project is supported by BeatBullying.
Advice and support will be provided on the official Hollyoaks website (www.e4.com/hollyoaks), including behind the scenes videos of the cast talking about the issues raised and their own experiences of beating the bullies, as well as a dedicated Facebook page which allows the audience to get involved by expressing their views on the events taking place and sharing their own experiences.
Hollyoaks will also work with BeatBullying offline in a series of events and initiatives that will see some of the Hollyoaks cast train and shadow as cyber mentors to raise awareness of the issues of bullying and the fantastic work BeatBullying engages in with young people.  As a further commitment to tackling the issue, Channel 4 Education have funded BeatBullying Cyber mentor training schemes in four schools across the country to coincide with National Anti-Bullying week in November.
Hollyoaks is the only continuing drama for young people and has long been credited for tackling difficult youth issues with sensitivity and integrity.  The youth drama has been tackling the issue of teen bullying since May and the storyline will develop right through to the New Year.  The story realistically approaches the issue with subtly as we see the ‘teasing’ progressively worsen leaving a once confident and self-assured young woman in a very lonely and desperate situation.
Lime Pictures have also previously explored digital story telling in online spin off dramas Hollyoaks: The Morning After the Night Before and Hollyoaks: Freshers; the former being an anti-binge drinking project in association with the Home Office.

Bryan Kirkwood, Executive Producer of Hollyoaks comments: “Hollyoaks has always had a youth focus and we never shy away from tackling difficult youth issues.  I am really proud of this story and how it realistically approaches bullying which is so relevant to our audience.”
Channel 4 Education Editor Gemma Brady adds: “We are delighted to be working with Hollyoaks on this project. The show has a strong track record of tackling difficult issues and feels like the perfect home to explore the complexities of bullying in a connected age.”

Hollyoaks airs week nights at 6.30pm on Channel 4.