Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature (SIJLL)
Volume-9 | Issue-02 | 13-18
Original Research Article
Representation of Digital Trauma and Narratives of Resistance against Cyberbullishing in the Novel Second Sister by Chan HO-KEI
Goziyah, Karina Andini, Agus Sulaeman, Kim Dong Hoon
Published : Feb. 9, 2026
Abstract
This study examines how Chan Ho-Kei's novel, Second Sister, depicts trauma generated by digital technology and presents a narrative of resistance against online bullying. Online bullying has emerged as a global problem causing serious psychological harm to victims, including trauma that is recorded and shared electronically. A recent study by Hinduja and Patchin (2025) suggests that online bullying should be classified as an adverse childhood experience due to its traumatic impact on adolescent development, with a strong link between PTSD symptoms and online bullying experiences. The novel offers a unique perspective on how digital technology can function as both a source of trauma and an instrument of resistance. Applying narrative analysis and digital trauma theory, this study investigates how the novel's characters confront, respond to, and resist online bullying. The analysis includes story structure, character portrayal, and the role of technology as a plot element. The findings reveal that the novel depicts digital trauma through three main aspects: the persistence of electronic traces, the escalation of violence through social media, and the fragmentation of victim identity. The narrative of resistance is developed through online investigation tactics, the reclaiming of victim narratives, and the formation of solidarity online. The novel also critiques the social systems that allow online bullying to thrive, such as the culture of victimization and institutional incompetence. The study's conclusions underscore the need for a deeper understanding of the complexities of digital trauma in an era of hyperconnectivity, as well as the importance of empowering stories of resistance for online bullying victims.