Digital Dilemmas Warm-Up

Instructions: Imagine you see someone post a mean comment about another student online. What's the first thing that comes to your mind? Write down one word or a short phrase.

Teacher Script: Digital Footprints

Introduction & Warm-Up (3 minutes)

(Teacher displays Digital Footprints Last Forever Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for all of us as we spend more time online: our digital footprints. Think of it like the tracks you leave in the sand – everything you do online leaves a trace. We want to make sure those traces are positive ones."

(Teacher moves to Digital Footprints Last Forever Slide Deck - Slide 2 and initiates the Digital Dilemmas Warm-Up)

"Let's start with a quick warm-up. Take a moment to think about this scenario: You see someone post a mean comment about another student online. What's the first thing that comes to your mind? Just one word or a short phrase. Write it down on your warm-up sheet or a piece of scratch paper."

(Pause for students to write. After about 30 seconds, ask for volunteers to share.)

"Who would like to share their word or phrase? Don't worry, there are no wrong answers here. What feelings or thoughts did that scenario bring up?"

(Acknowledge responses: 'Sad,' 'Wrong,' 'Stop it,' 'Upset,' 'Not fair.' Connect these to the idea of online actions and their impact.)

"Thank you for sharing. Those are really important feelings. Today, we're going to explore what it means to be a good digital citizen and how we can stand up against something called cyberbullying."

Defining Cyberbullying & Its Impact (5 minutes)

(Teacher moves to Digital Footprints Last Forever Slide Deck - Slide 3)

"So, what exactly is cyberbullying? It's when someone uses digital technology – like phones, computers, or tablets – to repeatedly and intentionally hurt, harass, or embarrass another person. It's different from playground bullying because it can happen 24/7, even when you're at home, and sometimes it can be anonymous, making it harder to stop."

(Teacher moves to Digital Footprints Last Forever Slide Deck - Slide 4)

"Cyberbullying can take many forms. It can be mean texts or messages, spreading rumors about someone online, sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission, or even intentionally leaving someone out of online groups or games. Has anyone ever heard of or seen any of these happening? (Brief pause, remind students not to share names or specific incidents, but general experiences are okay.)"

"Now, think about what we discussed earlier with your warm-up words. How do you think someone would feel if they were the target of cyberbullying? What kind of impact could it have on them?"

(Encourage responses like: 'sad,' 'scared,' 'alone,' 'angry,' 'don't want to go to school,' 'don't want to use their phone.')

(Teacher moves to Digital Footprints Last Forever Slide Deck - Slide 5)

"Exactly. It can make people feel really awful – sad, angry, lonely, scared, and embarrassed. It can even affect their friendships, their schoolwork, and how they feel about themselves. It’s crucial to remember that behind every screen is a real person with real feelings. Our digital actions have real-world consequences."

CyberSmart Solutions Activity (7 minutes)

"Now that we understand what cyberbullying is and how it impacts people, let's practice how to respond to it. I'm going to hand out an activity called the CyberSmart Solutions Activity. On this worksheet, you'll find different scenarios. Your job is to read each scenario and think about the best way to handle it. You can work on this individually or with a partner/small group at your table."

(Distribute the CyberSmart Solutions Activity. Circulate and assist students as they work.)

What Would You Do? Discussion & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. I saw some really thoughtful discussions and answers during the activity. Let's talk about a few of those scenarios. We'll use our What Would You Do? Discussion to guide us."

(Lead a discussion using prompts from the What Would You Do? Discussion. Focus on 1-2 scenarios due to time constraints, emphasizing key takeaways.)

"Great job discussing these tough situations. What are some of the most important things you learned today about dealing with cyberbullying?"

(Listen for: 'Don't respond,' 'Tell an adult,' 'Block/report,' 'Be kind online.')

(Teacher moves to Digital Footprints Last Forever Slide Deck - Slide 6)

"Fantastic points! Remember, you have the power to make a real difference online. You can choose to be an upstander, not just a bystander. If you see cyberbullying, don't ignore it. Tell a trusted adult – a parent, a teacher, a school counselor. And if it happens to you, tell someone immediately. You are not alone."

"Always remember, your digital footprint lasts forever. Make sure the traces you leave online are ones you can be proud of – traces of kindness, respect, and responsibility. Thank you, everyone!"

CyberSmart Solutions Activity

Instructions: Read each scenario below. In the space provided, describe what you would do or say to respond to the situation in a safe and responsible way. Remember, your goal is to be an upstander and help create a positive online environment.

Scenario 1: The Mean Group Chat

You are in a group chat with some friends. One friend starts sending mean messages about another student who isn't in the chat, making fun of their new haircut. Other friends in the chat are giggling and sending laughing emojis.

What would you do?

Scenario 2: The Embarrassing Photo

Someone in your class posts an old, embarrassing photo of another student online without their permission. The photo quickly gets a lot of likes and comments.

What would you do?

Scenario 3: The Online Exclusion

You notice that a classmate who usually plays games online with your group is suddenly being left out. When they try to join, others ignore their requests or make excuses.

What would you do?

Scenario 4: Receiving a Mean Message

You receive a private message from someone you know that contains hurtful words about you. You feel upset and confused.

What would you do?

What Would You Do? Discussion

Instructions for Teacher: Lead a class discussion using the prompts below. Encourage students to share their responses to the scenarios from the CyberSmart Solutions Activity, explaining their reasoning. Emphasize safe and responsible actions.

Discussion Prompts:

1. For Scenario 1 (The Mean Group Chat):

   • What are some ways you could respond to the mean messages in the group chat? (e.g., privately message the person being targeted, change the subject, leave the chat, talk to a trusted adult)
   • Why is it important not to join in or just ignore it when you see something like this?
   • What would you say to a friend who was sending mean messages?

2. For Scenario 2 (The Embarrassing Photo):

   • If you saw an embarrassing photo of someone posted online, what steps could you take to help the person whose photo it is?
   • What are the risks of sharing photos of others without their permission?
   • What should someone do if an embarrassing photo of them is posted online?

3. For Scenario 3 (The Online Exclusion):

   • If you noticed a friend being excluded from an online game or group, how could you show support for them?
   • Why do you think people exclude others online?
   • What are some ways to include everyone in online activities?

4. For Scenario 4 (Receiving a Mean Message):

   • If you receive a mean message, what is the most important thing you should do first?
   • Why is it usually a bad idea to respond to a mean message with another mean message?
   • Who are the trusted adults you could talk to if this happened to you?

Key Takeaways to Reinforce:

• Don't Respond: Do not engage with or respond to cyberbullying messages. This can often escalate the situation.
• Don't Retaliate: Fighting back online can make you part of the problem.
• Save the Evidence: Take screenshots of cyberbullying messages or posts. This provides proof.
• Tell a Trusted Adult: Always, always tell a parent, teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult what is happening.
• Block & Report: Block the person who is cyberbullying you and report the behavior to the platform (social media, game, etc.).
• Be an Upstander: If you see cyberbullying, don't be a bystander. Support the person being targeted and report the behavior.