RISK by Fleur Ferris
Social Media & You‘He was at the last Winter Olympics! We were in the same crowd, watching Chumpy Pullin’s event. Can you believe it? . . . And we were in the same crowd at Pink’s concert, too. We have the same photos. It’s like it’s meant to be. You know? Like those movies where two soulmates keep crossing paths, destined to meet, and then one day they do and everything about it is perfect. What are the odds of meeting a guy like that on Mysterychat? It must be like four gazillion to one.’ (p. 25)
Think about your social media accounts, and google yourself – what information about you can be found online? Now read the police explanation of how Jacob groomed Sierra on pp. 107–108. How does that change your perspective on what can be learned about you online, and how a stranger might use that information to make it seem as though you have lots in common? GriefDo you want to talk about what happened?’ She never pushes me. After Dad died we had some counselling sessions together and one of the exercises was about not pushing a person to talk. It’s supposed to allow the person who’s upset time to work out how they feel without being pressured to discuss it. (p. 43)
Taylor has had some counselling in the past, and sometimes her counsellor’s strategies help Taylor to deal with her present problems. Why do you think not pushing someone to talk can be helpful? |
Friendships‘Well, she betrayed me that time with Matt. And I lied for her . . . She didn’t come back when she told me she would and I spent the whole time freaking out. She didn’t give a shit if I got into trouble. And clearly she doesn’t give a shit about getting Taylor into trouble, either. What’s Tay supposed to do now?’ (p. 51)
Riley has been manipulated by Sierra before, and feels betrayed. What do you think would have happened to Taylor and Sierra’s friendship if Sierra had returned from her date? Would Taylor have been able to trust Sierra again? Finding Love Online‘I’m keeping it casual and brief, just in case. It’s always easy to extend a date, but so awkward to cut one short.’ (p. 30) ‘We thought outside Hummingbird Cupcakes and then we’d go for a juice . . . I originally made it that way, thinking that we should plan to make it a quick first meeting . . .’ (p. 41)
Sierra had the right idea in keeping her first date in an open and public area. What else could she have done to ensure her safety when first meeting someone she previously only knew online? Where did she go wrong in her choices? What role did Taylor play in putting her friend in danger? |
Love‘Oh my god! I’m having the best time! He’s a-ma-zing! . . . He’s older than eighteen, but hey, I lied about my age too, so I guess we’re even. And older guys are so much hotter! Oh my god, Tay, we’re already making out!’ (p. 49)
Can you identify any warning signs in what Sierra tells Taylor? Truth & Lies‘I’m not asking you to lie, just say nothing.’ (p. 50)
Is saying nothing the same as lying, or a form of lying? Where should you draw the line? Your Turn . . .Have you ever ignored a bad feeling? Have you ever regretted doing so? How do we know when to act on a feeling and when to ignore it? When should we speak up to protect our friends? (p. 206)
Taylor’s questions on the website cut to the heart of what has happened. How would you answer them? |
About The Author: Fleur Ferris
Fleur Ferris spent the first seventeen years of her life growing up on a farm in Patchewollock, North West Victoria. She then moved twenty times in twenty years.
During this time, Fleur sometimes saw the darker side to life while working for a number of years as a police officer and a paramedic. She now lives a more settled lifestyle on a rice farm in Southern New South Wales, with her husband and three young children. Fleur’s colourful and diverse background has given her unique insight into today’s society and an endless pool of experiences to draw from. |