Online Kindness Discussion Guide

Introduction: The Power of Online Words (5 minutes)

• What are some of your favorite things to do online? (e.g., play games, watch videos, talk to friends)
  
  
  
• Have you ever seen something online that made you feel happy? Sad? Confused?
  
  
  
• How do words, even written ones, have power in our daily lives? How might this be even more true online?
  
  
  

Empathy and Online Interactions (10 minutes)

• We talked about empathy – understanding how others feel. Why is it sometimes harder to show empathy when we're online compared to when we're talking to someone in person?
  
  
  
• Can you think of a time when someone online showed you kindness? How did that make you feel?
  
  
  
• What are some ways we can make sure our words and actions online are always kind, even if we can't see the other person's face?
  
  
  

Identifying and Responding to Cyberbullying (10 minutes)

• We learned about cyberbullying. What are some signs that someone might be experiencing cyberbullying?
  
  
  
• If you saw a friend being cyberbullied, what would be the first thing you would do? Why?
  
  
  
• Why is it important to tell a trusted adult if you or someone you know is being cyberbullied? What kind of adults can help?
  
  
  

Promoting a Positive Online Presence (5 minutes)

• What does it mean to be a

Digital Dilemmas Activity Cards

Instructions: Read each scenario carefully. In your group, discuss the dilemma and decide how the person in the scenario should respond. Remember to think about empathy, kindness, and safety online.

Card 1: The Misunderstood Post

Your friend, Alex, posts a funny picture of another classmate, Sam, making a silly face in class. Alex meant it as a joke, but Sam sees it and gets really upset because they feel embarrassed. Other kids start commenting with laughing emojis.

Discussion Questions:

• How might Sam be feeling?
• Was Alex trying to be mean? Does that matter?
• What should Alex do now?
• What should other classmates who see the post do?
• What would you do if you were Sam?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Card 2: The Exclusionary Gaming Group

You and a few friends are playing an online game together. Another classmate, Jamie, asks if they can join your voice chat. One of your friends says, "No way, Jamie is terrible at this game!" and then another friend sends a private message to the group chat saying, "Let's just pretend we didn't see Jamie's message."

Discussion Questions:

• How might Jamie feel after being excluded or ignored?
• What responsibility do you have as part of the group chat?
• What could you say or do to include Jamie, or at least respond kindly?
• What if you feel uncomfortable with your friends' behavior? What can you do?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Card 3: The Rumor Mill

You see a post on social media (from someone you don't know very well) spreading a rumor about a popular student, Chloe. The post says something untrue and unkind about Chloe. Many people are commenting and sharing the post.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the potential impact of this rumor on Chloe?
• Even though you don't know the person who posted it, what is your role as an online citizen?
• What are your options for responding to this situation?
• Why is it important not to share or add to rumors online?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Card 4: The Anonymous Mean Comment

You post a picture of a project you're really proud of for school. Later, you see an anonymous comment on your post saying, "This is stupid, you clearly copied it." You feel hurt and confused because you worked very hard on it.

Discussion Questions:

• How would you feel if you received this comment?
• Why do people sometimes make anonymous mean comments online?
• What are your immediate reactions? What would be the most helpful thing to do?
• Who could you talk to about this? Why is it important not to engage directly with anonymous negativity?
  
  
  
  
  
  

My Digital Pledge: I Am a Cyber Citizen!

Instructions: Now that you've learned about being a great Cyber Citizen, it's time to make your own pledge. Think about how you want to act online and what kind of digital footprint you want to leave. Fill in the blanks and sign your pledge!

My Promise to Be a Positive Cyber Citizen

I, ______________________________, pledge to be a responsible and kind Cyber Citizen. I understand that my actions online have an impact on myself and others.

I will practice Empathy by:

• Thinking about how my words and pictures might make others feel before I post.
  
  
  
• Trying to understand different perspectives online, even if I don't agree with them.
  
  
  
• __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

I will promote Kindness by:

• Posting positive messages and encouraging comments.
  
  
  
• Standing up for others if I see cyberbullying or unkind behavior.
  
  
  
• __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

I will ensure my Safety by:

• Keeping my personal information private online.
  
  
  
• Telling a trusted adult if I see something that makes me uncomfortable or if someone is being mean.
  
  
  
• __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

If I make a mistake online, I will:

• __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

My Signature: ________________________________________

Date: _____________________