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Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying

Molly Mulhern

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying Lesson Plan

Students will be able to define cyberbullying, identify its various forms, understand its impact, and learn strategies for reporting incidents to adults and safely intervening to support peers.

In our increasingly connected world, understanding cyberbullying is vital for student safety and well-being. This lesson provides essential tools to navigate digital interactions responsibly, seek help when needed, and foster a supportive online community, addressing recent concerns about hurtful messages in group chats.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, slide presentation, and reading to build awareness and provide actionable strategies.

Materials

Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying Slide Deck, Cyberbullying Warm-Up, Cyberbullying Impact Reading, Cyberbullying Discussion Guide, and Cyberbullying Cool-Down

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review all generated materials: Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying Slide Deck, Cyberbullying Warm-Up, Cyberbullying Impact Reading, Cyberbullying Discussion Guide, and Cyberbullying Cool-Down.
  • Ensure technology is ready for the slide deck presentation.
  • Print copies of the Cyberbullying Impact Reading (if not distributed digitally).
  • Familiarize yourself with school policies on reporting and addressing cyberbullying.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas

5 minutes

  • Distribute or display the Cyberbullying Warm-Up.
  • Ask students to silently reflect on the prompt: "Think about a time you've seen or heard something online that made you or someone else feel uncomfortable. You don't need to share details, just reflect on the feeling."
  • Briefly discuss general feelings or observations without sharing personal stories.
  • Transition by stating that today's lesson will help them understand and address these 'digital dilemmas'.

Step 2

Introduction to Cyberbullying

10 minutes

  • Present slides 1-5 of the Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying Slide Deck.
  • Use the provided script to define cyberbullying, discuss how it happens, and provide initial examples.
  • Facilitate a brief Q&A, allowing students to ask clarifying questions about the definitions and examples.

Step 3

Understanding the Harm

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Cyberbullying Impact Reading.
  • Allow students 5-7 minutes to read silently.
  • After reading, use slides 6-7 of the Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying Slide Deck to summarize the emotional and psychological impacts of cyberbullying.
  • Emphasize that words can hurt deeply, even when not said in person.

Step 4

Seeking Help and Intervention

15 minutes

  • Present slides 8-10 of the Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying Slide Deck.
  • Guide students through the steps on how to get help from an adult and strategies for safe peer intervention.
  • Use the Cyberbullying Discussion Guide to facilitate a classroom discussion.
  • Emphasize the importance of speaking up and supporting one another.
  • Remind students about school resources and trusted adults.

Step 5

Cool-Down: My Cyber-Pledge

5 minutes

  • Distribute or display the Cyberbullying Cool-Down.
  • Ask students to complete the prompt: "One thing I learned today about cyberbullying is... and one way I can help stop it is...".
  • Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket.
  • Reiterate the message that everyone has a role in creating a safer online environment.
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Slide Deck

Digital Defense: Stop Cyberbullying

Navigating the online world with respect and safety.

Welcome students and introduce the topic of navigating digital spaces respectfully. Acknowledge that this can be a sensitive topic for some.

What is Cyberbullying?

When someone uses digital technology to repeatedly and intentionally harm, upset, or embarrass another person.

Define cyberbullying clearly. Emphasize that it's repeated and intentional harm. Mention that it can feel different than in-person bullying because it can happen 24/7.

How Does It Happen?

  • Text Messages: Sending mean or threatening messages.
  • Social Media: Posting rumors, embarrassing photos/videos, or hateful comments.
  • Gaming: Harassing players during online games.
  • Email/Apps: Spreading false information or excluding others digitally.
  • Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else to cause trouble.

Explain the various ways cyberbullying can occur. Give brief, general examples without specific details that might trigger students.

Examples of Cyberbullying

  • Repeatedly sending rude or threatening texts to someone.
  • Creating a fake profile to spread rumors about a classmate.
  • Posting an embarrassing photo of someone online without their permission.
  • Excluding someone from a group chat and making fun of them there.
  • Consistently leaving hurtful comments on someone's posts.

Provide clear examples. Keep them hypothetical and relatable to 7th graders without being too specific to any recent events in the class.

It's Not Just Online...

Cyberbullying can have serious real-world consequences for everyone involved.

Transition to the impact. Reinforce that cyberbullying isn't just 'words on a screen' and has real consequences.

The Hidden Scars: Emotional Harm

  • Sadness and loneliness
  • Anxiety and fear
  • Low self-esteem
  • Difficulty concentrating in school
  • Feeling unsafe, even at home

Discuss the emotional and mental harm. Be empathetic and validate that these feelings are real and valid.

Beyond the Screen: Lasting Impacts

  • Damaged friendships and relationships
  • Negative impact on school performance
  • Reputational harm online that is hard to erase
  • In severe cases, depression or other mental health challenges

Explain the potential long-term effects. This is a good place to tie in the reading material.

Step 1: Get Help from an Adult

  • Tell a trusted adult: Parent, guardian, teacher, counselor, principal, coach.
  • Save the evidence: Take screenshots, save messages.
  • Block and report: Block the cyberbully and use reporting tools on platforms.
  • You are not alone: It's never your fault, and help is available.

Crucial slide: Emphasize the importance of telling a trusted adult. List examples of who they can talk to. Reassure them that it's never their fault.

Step 2: How to Help a Friend (Safely)

  • Support your friend: Let them know you care and they're not alone.
  • Don't spread it: Don't forward or like hurtful content.
  • Speak up (if safe): Tell the bully to stop, or redirect the conversation.
  • Get an adult: The safest and often most effective way to help.

Discuss safe ways to intervene. Highlight that direct confrontation is NOT always the best or safest option. Focus on being an upstander, not just a bystander.

Be a Digital Defender!

You have the power to create a positive and safe online environment for yourself and others. Speak up, get help, and be kind!

Summarize the key takeaways and empower students with a positive message about their role in creating a better online community.

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Warm Up

Digital Dilemmas

Instructions: Please write a short reflection on the following prompt. You do not need to share specific details of any personal experience, but focus on your general thoughts and feelings.

Prompt: Think about a time you've seen or heard something online (in a game, social media, a group chat, etc.) that made you or someone else feel uncomfortable, sad, or hurt. What was the general feeling or emotion associated with that experience, and why do you think digital interactions can sometimes have such a strong impact?












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Cool Down

Cyberbullying Cool-Down: My Cyber-Pledge

Instructions: Please complete the following statement in your own words. This is an opportunity to reflect on what you've learned and how you can apply it.

One thing I learned today about cyberbullying is...






And one way I can help stop cyberbullying or support someone who is being cyberbullied is...






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Discussion

Cyberbullying Discussion Guide

Instructions for Teacher: Use these prompts to facilitate a sensitive and thoughtful discussion. Encourage students to share their thoughts respectfully and remind them that personal stories are not required. Focus on general observations and strategies.

Discussion Prompts:

  1. Understanding Cyberbullying:

    • We talked about what cyberbullying is and how it can happen. Can anyone explain, in their own words, the difference between a one-time unkind comment online and cyberbullying?
    • Why do you think it's sometimes harder to recognize cyberbullying than in-person bullying?


  2. Impact and Feelings:

    • The reading talked about the emotional impact of cyberbullying. Why do you think words sent digitally can hurt just as much, or sometimes even more, than words said in person?
    • What are some of the feelings someone might experience if they are being cyberbullied? How might these feelings affect their daily life?


  3. Seeking Help:

    • We identified several trusted adults you can talk to if you or someone you know is being cyberbullied. Why is it so important to tell an adult, even if you feel like you can handle it yourself?


  4. Being an Upstander (Not a Bystander):

    • What are some safe ways you can support a friend who is being cyberbullied, even if you don't directly confront the bully? (e.g., reaching out to them privately, encouraging them to tell an adult).
    • If you see something hurtful happening online, but it's not directed at you, what can you do? Why is it important not to share or like negative content?


  5. Creating a Positive Online Community:

    • What are some small actions we can all take to make our online spaces (like group chats or social media) more positive and respectful?
    • How can we remember to be as kind and empathetic online as we would be in person?
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Reading

The Invisible Scars: Understanding the Harm of Cyberbullying

In a world where our phones and computers connect us to so many people, it’s easy to forget that words on a screen can have a powerful impact. Cyberbullying isn't just a digital problem; it's a real problem with real consequences for everyone involved.

More Than Just Words

Imagine someone saying hurtful things to you every day in the school hallway. Now imagine those words following you home, showing up on your phone at dinner, and even being seen by many people you know. That's what cyberbullying can feel like.

Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen 24/7. There's often no escape, and the messages, photos, or videos can spread quickly to a large audience, sometimes even going viral. This can make the person being targeted feel incredibly exposed and alone.

The Emotional Weight

The most immediate and often deepest harm of cyberbullying is emotional. Victims often experience:

  • Sadness and Loneliness: Feeling isolated, misunderstood, and deeply unhappy.
  • Anxiety and Fear: Constantly worrying about what might be posted next, checking their devices with dread, and feeling unsafe even in their own home.
  • Low Self-Esteem: Believing the hurtful things said about them, leading to a damaged sense of self-worth.
  • Loss of Interest: Struggling to enjoy hobbies, school, or spending time with friends.
  • Changes in Behavior: Becoming withdrawn, irritable, or even aggressive.

It's important to remember that these feelings aren't minor; they can be incredibly overwhelming and affect every part of a person's life.

Beyond Feelings: Lasting Effects

The harm of cyberbullying can go beyond just emotional distress. It can also lead to:

  • Problems at School: Difficulty concentrating, a drop in grades, and even wanting to avoid school altogether.
  • Damaged Friendships: Misunderstandings and trust issues can arise, making it hard to maintain relationships.
  • Reputational Harm: Once something is posted online, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to remove. This digital footprint can follow someone for years.
  • Physical Symptoms: Stress from cyberbullying can manifest as headaches, stomachaches, or trouble sleeping.
  • Serious Mental Health Challenges: In severe and prolonged cases, cyberbullying can contribute to depression, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.

The Power of Your Voice

Understanding the harm of cyberbullying means recognizing that everyone has a role to play. If you are being cyberbullied, or if you see it happening to someone else, your actions matter. Speaking up, reaching out for help, and choosing kindness online are powerful ways to stop the cycle of harm and create a safer digital world for everyone.

Remember, you are not alone, and there are always adults who care and want to help.

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