Cyber-Kindness Scenarios Activity

Instructions: Work in your groups to read each scenario. Discuss how you would respond using your digital detective skills (THINK before you post, be an upstander, tell a trusted adult, block, report). Be ready to share your group's solution with the class.

Scenario 1: The Embarrassing Photo

Your friend, Alex, posts a really embarrassing photo of another classmate, Sam, without Sam's permission on a group chat. The caption is making fun of Sam. Other friends in the chat are starting to laugh and add mean comments.

Your Group's Response:

Scenario 2: The Mean Game Chat

You are playing your favorite online game with a few people you don't know well. During the game, one player starts sending mean and personal messages to another player, calling them names and telling them they are bad at the game. The player being targeted seems upset and isn't responding.

Your Group's Response:

Scenario 3: Exclusion Online

You see a group of classmates, including some of your friends, creating a new private social media group and purposefully excluding one person, Maya. They are making comments like, "Let's not invite Maya, she's so annoying." Maya later posts a sad emoji on her public profile.

Your Group's Response:

Scenario 4: Rumors and Lies

Someone in your class creates a fake social media account pretending to be another student, Jamie. They start posting false and hurtful rumors about Jamie, and people are starting to believe them. You know these rumors aren't true.

Your Group's Response:

Digital Check-In: Your Online World

Instructions: Think about how you use the internet or social media. Then, answer the questions below.

1. What are some of your favorite things to do online or on social media platforms?
   
   
   
   

2. What do you think makes someone a "good online friend" or a "good digital citizen"? (Think about their actions and words online.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

One Digital Rule: Your Promise for Online Kindness

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson about cyberbullying and online kindness. Write down one important rule or promise you will make for yourself to help create a kinder and safer online space.

My One Digital Rule:

(Optional): Why is this rule important to you?

Digital Detectives: Cracking the Code of Online Kindness - Script

Teacher Introduction (Optional - before Warm-Up)

"Good morning/afternoon, Digital Detectives! Today, we're going on an important mission to crack the code of online kindness. Our goal is to make sure our digital world is a safe and fun place for everyone."

Warm-Up: Digital Check-In (5 minutes)

• Teacher: "Let's start with a quick 'Digital Check-In.' Take out your Digital Check-In Warm-Up and answer the questions. Think about your favorite online activities and what makes a good online friend or digital citizen. You have about 3 minutes for this."
  
  

• (After 3 minutes) "Alright, let's share. What are some of your favorite things to do online? (Allow a few students to share). Great! Now, what did you write about being a 'good online friend' or 'digital citizen'? What qualities are important?" (Facilitate a brief discussion, drawing out ideas of respect, kindness, honesty, etc.)

Introduction: What is Cyberbullying? (7 minutes)

• Teacher: "Excellent job, everyone. Today, we're going to talk about something important that sometimes happens in our digital world: cyberbullying. Let's look at our Digital Detectives: Cracking the Code of Online Kindness Slide Deck."

• (Slide 1: Digital Detectives) "As Digital Detectives, we're going to uncover how to keep our online interactions positive. What does a detective do? What kind of 'code' do you think we need to crack when we're online?"

• (Slide 2: Our Digital World) "The internet and social media are amazing! Who can share some ways they use the internet or social media? (Allow responses). It's a great place to connect, learn, and have fun. But just like in real life, sometimes people can be unkind online."

• (Slide 3: What is Cyberbullying?) "This brings us to our main topic: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that happens using digital devices. It's when someone repeatedly and intentionally tries to hurt someone else using phones, computers, or other technology. It's not just a one-time accident; it's done on purpose, over and over."

• (Slide 4: How Cyberbullying Shows Up) "Cyberbullying can look like many things: sending mean messages, spreading rumors, sharing embarrassing photos, or leaving someone out of an online group. Have you ever seen or heard about something like this happening? (Guide discussion carefully, focusing on actions, not individuals)."

• (Slide 5: Words Hurt, Even Online) "Why is cyberbullying a big deal? Because words hurt, even online. How do you think someone feels if they are cyberbullied? (Discuss emotions: sad, angry, scared, lonely). It affects how people feel, how they do in school, and even their health. It's real, and it's serious."

Activity: Cyber-Kindness Scenarios (10 minutes)

• Teacher: "Now that we understand what cyberbullying is and how it affects people, it's time to put on our detective hats and solve some 'Cyber-Kindness Scenarios.'"

• (Slide 9: Time to Be Digital Detectives!) "I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive a Cyber-Kindness Scenarios Activity card with a situation. Your task is to discuss the scenario and decide how you would respond using your new digital detective skills. Think about what we just discussed, like being an upstander and the 'THINK' test. You have about 7 minutes to discuss and come up with a plan." (Distribute scenarios or project them)

• (After 7 minutes) "Time's up! Let's have each group share their scenario and how they decided to respond. What was the challenge, and what was your cyber-kindness solution?" (Facilitate sharing, ensuring each group has a chance to speak and providing positive feedback).

Discussion: Being an Upstander & Your Superhero Moves (5 minutes)

• Teacher: "Fantastic work, everyone! You've shown great problem-solving skills."

• (Slide 6: Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander) "We talked about being an upstander earlier. Who can remind us what the difference is between a bystander and an upstander? (Call on student for response). That's right! An upstander takes action. Why is it so important to be an upstander online?"

• (Slide 7: Your Superhero Moves!) "As digital detectives, you have superhero moves! If you see or experience cyberbullying, what are the safe and helpful things you can do? (Review Don't Respond, Block, Report, Tell a Trusted Adult, Save Evidence). The most important one: always tell a trusted adult – a parent, teacher, or counselor. They are there to help you."

• (Slide 8: The THINK Filter) "And remember our 'THINK' filter before you post anything online. Let's say it together: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? If it doesn't pass the THINK test, it's best not to post it. Your online words have power!"

Cool-Down: One Digital Rule (3 minutes)

• Teacher: "Alright, Digital Detectives, you've done an amazing job today. For our cool-down, please take out your One Digital Rule Cool-Down. On this slip, I want you to write down one rule or promise you will make for yourself to help create a kinder and safer online space. This is your personal commitment to online kindness. When you're done, please turn it in as your exit ticket."

• (Slide 10: You are Digital Difference Makers!) "Remember, your actions create a kinder, safer internet for everyone. Choose kindness, speak up if you see something wrong, and ask for help when you need it. You are all digital difference-makers!"