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Cyberbullying: Know Your Power

Lesson Plan

Cyberbullying: Know Your Power

Students will be able to define cyberbullying, understand David's Law and its implications, identify the effects of cyberbullying on individuals and communities, recognize common platforms where cyberbullying occurs, and locate resources for support and prevention.

Cyberbullying is a critical issue that impacts the mental health, safety, and academic performance of high school students. Understanding the legal aspects, emotional toll, and available support systems is crucial for fostering a safe online environment and promoting responsible digital citizenship.

Audience

9-12th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion and resource exploration

Materials

Cyberbullying: Know Your Power Slide Deck, Teacher Script: Cyberbullying Awareness, Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas, Cyberbullying Discussion Prompts, Cool-Down: My Cyber-Pledge, and David's Law Summary Reading

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas activity. Project the prompt on the board or distribute it as a handout.
  • Ask students to reflect individually for 1-2 minutes, then share their initial thoughts with a partner or in small groups.
  • Facilitate a brief whole-class share-out to gauge prior knowledge and set the stage for the lesson.

Step 2

Introduction to Cyberbullying

5 minutes

Step 3

Video & Discussion: Impact of Cyberbullying

10 minutes

  • Play the embedded video from the Cyberbullying: Know Your Power Slide Deck that illustrates the effects of cyberbullying.
  • After the video, lead a discussion using prompts from the Cyberbullying Discussion Prompts, focusing on the emotional, social, and psychological impacts on victims, bystanders, and even bullies.
  • Encourage empathetic responses and critical thinking about online behavior.

Step 4

David's Law & Resources

5 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down: My Cyber-Pledge

5 minutes

  • Conclude the lesson with the Cool-Down: My Cyber-Pledge activity.
  • Ask students to write down one commitment they will make to combat cyberbullying or promote a positive online environment.
  • Collect pledges as an exit ticket or encourage students to keep them as a personal reminder.
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Slide Deck

Cyberbullying: Know Your Power

Navigating the Digital World Safely
Why is understanding online safety crucial for you?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of cyberbullying, emphasizing its relevance to their lives. Ask a rhetorical question to get them thinking.

What is Cyberbullying?

Using electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.

Where does it happen?
- Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, etc.)
- Gaming Platforms
- Messaging Apps (WhatsApp, Discord, iMessage)
- Email & Text Messages

Define cyberbullying clearly and provide examples of where it can occur. Encourage students to think about their own online interactions.

Watch this short video to understand the real-world consequences of online harassment.

Introduce the video. Explain that it will show the real impact of cyberbullying. Ensure the video link is accessible.

More Than Just Words: The Impact

  • Emotional Toll: Anxiety, depression, isolation, self-harm, suicidal thoughts.
    - Social Impact: Damaged reputations, loss of friends, fear of social situations.
    - Academic Impact: Difficulty concentrating, school avoidance, declining grades.
    - Long-Term Effects: PTSD, trust issues, difficulty forming relationships.

Discuss the emotional, social, and psychological effects. Encourage empathy and understanding for victims and the broader community.

David's Law: Holding Bullies Accountable

Texas law designed to combat cyberbullying.

Key Provisions:
- Allows schools to investigate cyberbullying even if it occurs off-campus.
- Requires schools to adopt policies and procedures for reporting and investigating cyberbullying.
- Provides avenues for legal action against cyberbullies and their parents.
- Expands the definition of bullying to include cyberbullying.

Introduce David's Law, explaining its purpose and key provisions. Highlight the legal consequences and the importance of reporting.

You Are Not Alone: Where to Find Help

  • School Resources: Counselors, teachers, administrators.
    - Trusted Adults: Parents, guardians, other family members.
    - Online Reporting: School district websites, social media platforms.
    - Support Organizations: Cyberbullying Research Center, StopBullying.gov, Crisis Text Line.
    - Anonymous Reporting Systems: (Mention if your school has one, e.g., 'Say Something' app)

Present various resources for support and prevention. Emphasize that students are not alone and help is available.

Your Power: Be the Change

Every action, big or small, can make a difference. What will be your cyber-pledge to promote a safer online community?

Conclude by encouraging students to be part of the solution and to take the cyber-pledge.

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Script

Teacher Script: Cyberbullying Awareness

Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Let's start with a quick warm-up. Take a moment to read the prompt on the board or your handout: Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas. Think about a time you witnessed or experienced something online that made you uncomfortable, even if it wasn't outright bullying. How did it make you feel? You don't need to share specifics, just reflect on the emotion."

(Pause for 1-2 minutes for individual reflection. Then, direct students to share with a partner or small group for 1-2 minutes.)

"Now, let's hear from a few groups. What are some general feelings or observations that came up during your discussions?" (Listen to student responses, affirming their input and guiding them towards the day's topic.)

Introduction to Cyberbullying (5 minutes)

"Thank you for sharing. Today, we're going to talk about something incredibly important in our digital lives: cyberbullying. You've probably heard the term before, but let's make sure we're all on the same page."

(Advance to Slide 2: What is Cyberbullying?)

"Cyberbullying, simply put, is using electronic communication to bully someone. This isn't just a playground taunt anymore; it's persistent, it's public, and it can follow someone everywhere. Look at this slide. Where do you think cyberbullying most commonly happens?"

(Give students a moment to consider and perhaps offer answers.)

"Exactly! Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X are huge, but it's also happening on gaming platforms, in messaging apps like WhatsApp or Discord, and even through simple emails and text messages. Essentially, anywhere you communicate online, cyberbullying can occur. The scary part is how pervasive it can be, how quickly it spreads, and the lasting harm it can cause."

Video & Discussion: Impact of Cyberbullying (10 minutes)

"To truly understand the weight of cyberbullying, sometimes seeing its impact can be more powerful than just talking about it. I want you to watch this short video with an open mind and heart. Pay attention to how the actions, or inactions, of others affect the person being bullied."

*(Advance to Slide 3: The Ripple Effect: Impact of Cyberbullying and play the video from the Cyberbullying: Know Your Power Slide Deck -

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