Understanding Cyberbullying: What You Need to Know

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen through text messages, apps, social media, forums, or online games. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen 24/7, and often the bully can hide behind a screen, making it feel like it's harder to stop.

How Does It Happen?

Cyberbullying can happen in many ways, including:

• Sending hurtful messages: This could be mean texts, direct messages, or emails.
• Spreading rumors or lies: Posting false information about someone online to make others dislike them.
• Sharing embarrassing content: Sharing photos, videos, or private information about someone without their permission.
• Excluding others: Intentionally leaving someone out of an online group, game, or conversation to make them feel bad.
• Making threats: Sending messages that make someone feel scared or unsafe.
• Impersonating someone: Creating fake profiles or sending messages pretending to be someone else to cause trouble.

These actions can happen in places like group chats, comment sections on social media, or even during online gaming sessions. Because it's online, many people can see it quickly, and it can be hard to remove once it's posted.

The Harm of Cyberbullying

Even though it happens online, cyberbullying has very real and serious effects. Being cyberbullied can make a person feel:

• Sad and lonely: Feeling isolated and like no one understands.
• Anxious or scared: Constantly worrying about what might be posted next.
• Ashamed or embarrassed: Feeling like they did something wrong, even when they didn't.
• Angry: Feeling frustrated and helpless about the situation.
• Unsafe: Feeling threatened or exposed in their own home.

It can also make it hard to focus in school, enjoy hobbies, or trust friends. Remember, cyberbullying is never okay, and no one deserves to be treated that way.

What Can You Do?

If you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, it's important to remember you are not alone and help is available. Talking to a trusted adult is a brave and important first step. We'll learn more about who to talk to and how to get help in class.

Standing Strong Online: Discussion Guide

Being a good digital citizen means not only protecting yourself but also knowing how to support others. Let's discuss how we can all stand strong against cyberbullying.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Seeking Help: If you or a friend were being cyberbullied, who are some trusted adults you could talk to? What makes these adults good people to go to for help?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Evidence is Key: Why is it important to save messages or screenshots if you are being cyberbullied or witness it happening?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Supporting a Friend: Imagine a friend tells you they are being cyberbullied. What are some specific, kind, and safe ways you could offer support to them?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Being an Upstander: What does it mean to be an "upstander" when you see cyberbullying? What are some safe actions an upstander can take online?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Digital Kindness: How can we all contribute to a more positive and respectful online environment? What actions can you take today to promote kindness in your digital interactions?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Digital Shields Up! Script

Warm-Up: Digital Check-In (3 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 1: "Digital Shields Up!")

"Good morning, everyone. Today, we're going to talk about something really important that affects all of us as we spend more time online: online safety. Think about the many ways you interact online – maybe through games, talking with friends, or learning. What does 'online safety' mean to you? What comes to mind when you hear those words? There's no right or wrong answer, just what you think. Who would like to share a thought?"

(Allow 1-2 students to share briefly. Encourage a safe and open atmosphere.)

"Thank you for sharing. Online safety is a big topic, and it's something we all need to understand to help ourselves and others. Today, we're going to focus on a specific part of online safety: cyberbullying."

Introduction to Cyberbullying (7 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 2: "What is Cyberbullying?")

"Let's start by defining what cyberbullying is. As you can see, it's bullying that happens through digital devices. So, instead of happening in person, it happens over phones, computers, or tablets. What makes cyberbullying different from other kinds of bullying is that it can happen anytime, anywhere, and often, many people can see it or be involved, sometimes even without meaning to."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 3: "How Does It Happen?")

"Cyberbullying can happen in many different ways and on many different platforms. It's not just one thing. It can happen through text messages, direct messages, social media posts, comments, online games, emails, and even group chats. Has anyone seen or heard of any of these ways before? We all use these platforms, so it's important to know how they can be used for both good and sometimes, unfortunately, for harm."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 4: "Examples of Cyberbullying")

"Here are some examples of what cyberbullying can look like. It can be sending hurtful messages, spreading lies about someone online, sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission, intentionally excluding someone from an online group, or making mean comments. The key is that these actions are meant to hurt or embarrass someone. It's not a joke if someone is being harmed."

(Distribute Reading: Understanding Cyberbullying.)

"Now, I'm handing out a short reading called 'Understanding Cyberbullying.' Please follow along silently or read aloud with me as we review some of these key points. This reading will help reinforce what we've discussed about what cyberbullying is and the different forms it can take."

(Read through the 'What is Cyberbullying?' and 'How Does It Happen?' sections of the reading, highlighting how these forms can occur in group chats without specifically mentioning student incidents. Emphasize general understanding.)

Understanding the Harm & Getting Help (10 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 5: "The Harm of Cyberbullying")

"Even though cyberbullying happens online, the feelings it creates are very real. Cyberbullying can make people feel really sad, angry, anxious, lonely, embarrassed, scared, or even unsafe. These feelings can affect how we learn, how we interact with our friends, and how we feel about ourselves. It's crucial to understand that if someone is cyberbullied, it is never their fault. No one deserves to be treated this way."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 6: "Getting Help From an Adult")

"The most important message I want you to take away today is this: if you are being cyberbullied, or if you know someone who is, you are NOT alone, and help is available. It takes a lot of courage, but telling a trusted adult is the most important step. Who are some trusted adults you could talk to? Think about adults at home, at school, or in your community. They are there to help and support you. If possible, showing them evidence like screenshots can be very helpful because it provides clear information about what happened."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 7: "Standing Strong Online: How to Help Peers")

"It's also important to know how to support your friends if you see them being cyberbullied. This is called being an 'upstander,' not a bystander. You don't have to put yourself in harm's way, but there are safe and effective ways to help. For example, don't share or forward mean messages – that just makes the problem worse. Instead, you could reach out privately to your friend to offer support, or, and this is a really important one, tell a trusted adult what you saw. Even if it didn't happen to you, your voice can make a difference. Being a positive presence online means thinking before you post and spreading kindness."

Activity: Standing Strong Online Discussion (7 minutes)

"Now, we're going to deepen our understanding with a discussion using the Discussion Guide: Standing Strong Online I'm about to give you."

(Distribute Discussion Guide: Standing Strong Online.)

"I want you to think about these prompts carefully. We're going to discuss these either in small groups or as a whole class – let's see how we're feeling. Remember, our goal is to share strategies and ideas, not to share personal stories or name any names. We want to create a safe space for everyone. Focus on how you could help, and what steps you could take. Let's discuss prompt number three: 'Imagine a friend tells you they are being cyberbullied. What are some specific, kind, and safe ways you could offer support to them?'"

(Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion on one or two prompts. If students are comfortable and engaged, transition to small groups for the remaining prompts. Circulate to ensure discussions are constructive and sensitive.)

Wrap-Up & Cyber-Safety Check (3 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: Digital Shields Up! - Slide 8: "Be a Digital UPSTANDER!")

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Great discussions, everyone. Remember, every action we take online, big or small, contributes to the kind of online community we have. We all have the power to be positive digital citizens and upstanders."

(Distribute Quiz: Cyber-Safety Check.)

"To wrap up our lesson, I'm handing out a short 'Cyber-Safety Check' quiz. This isn't a test for a grade, but a way for you to quickly check your understanding of what we've covered today and to reflect on what you've learned. Please take a few minutes to complete it thoughtfully."

(Allow time for students to complete the quiz.)

"As you finish, please pass your quizzes forward. Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. Remember, by using your digital shields and standing strong online, you're helping to make the internet a kinder and safer place for everyone. Be smart, be safe, and be kind online!"