Warm-Up: Online Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your small group, read the scenario below. Discuss how you would feel if this happened to you or a friend, and what you think you should do next.

Scenario 1

Your friend posts a picture of you online without asking, and it's a bit embarrassing. Some of their followers start making fun of your outfit in the comments.

• How would you feel?
• What would you do?

Scenario 2

You are in a group chat with classmates for a school project. One classmate keeps sending mean messages to another student in the chat, calling them names and telling them they are stupid.

• How would you feel?
• What would you do?

Scenario 3

Someone you don't know well from school starts sending you private messages on a gaming app, constantly asking you personal questions and getting upset when you don't respond right away.

• How would you feel?
• What would you do?

Scenario 4

You see a post on social media where a group of students is making fun of a new student at your school. They are sharing a picture of the new student and writing mean captions.

• How would you feel?
• What would you do?

Cyberbullying Response Activity Sheet

Instructions: Read each scenario below. Then, using the "Stop, Block, Tell" strategy, write down what you would do. Remember: Stop, Block, Tell!

Scenario 1

Someone in your online gaming group starts sending you private messages calling you a "noob" and telling you that you're bad at the game. They keep doing it even after you ask them to stop.

What would you do? (Using Stop, Block, Tell)

S - Stop:

B - Block:

T - Tell:

Scenario 2

You see a video on a popular social media platform where a group of older kids from your school are making fun of a teacher. They are using mean words and laughing at the teacher.

What would you do? (Using Stop, Block, Tell)

S - Stop:

B - Block:

T - Tell:

Scenario 3

A classmate creates a fake social media profile using your name and picture. They start posting mean things about other students, making it look like it's you.

What would you do? (Using Stop, Block, Tell)

S - Stop:

B - Block:

T - Tell:

Scenario 4

You accidentally sent a funny but slightly embarrassing picture of yourself to a group chat. Now, someone in the chat has screenshotted it and is threatening to share it with everyone if you don't do what they say.

What would you do? (Using Stop, Block, Tell)

S - Stop:

B - Block:

T - Tell:

Cool-Down: One-Word Reflection

Instructions: Think about everything we discussed today about cyberbullying and mental health. On your paper, write down one word that describes what you learned, how you feel, or what you will remember from today's lesson.

Teacher Script: Digital Well-being Warriors

Warm-Up: Online Scenarios (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for all of us who use phones, tablets, or computers: being a 'Digital Well-being Warrior.' That means learning how to be safe, kind, and healthy when we're online.

To start, I'm going to give each small group a card with a short scenario about something that might happen online. I want you to read the scenario together and discuss two questions: How would you feel if this happened to you or a friend? And what do you think you should do?"

(Distribute Warm-Up: Online Scenario Cards to small groups. Give them about 3-4 minutes to discuss.)

(Teacher): "Alright, bring it back together, everyone. Can a few groups share their scenario and what they discussed? What were some of the feelings that came up? What were some ideas for what to do?"

(Facilitate a brief share-out. Connect their feelings and ideas to the idea that online interactions can have a big impact.)

Introduction to Cyberbullying & Mental Health (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great job sharing, everyone. Your discussions show that what happens online can really affect us. Today, we're going to dive deeper into a specific type of online interaction called cyberbullying, and how it connects to our mental health."

(Display Digital Well-being Warriors Slide Deck - Slide 3: What is Cyberbullying?)

(Teacher): "So, what exactly is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is bullying that happens using digital technology. It can happen on social media like TikTok or Instagram, through messaging apps, on gaming platforms, or even in emails. It's when someone repeatedly sends, posts, or shares negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else."

(Go through examples on Slide 3, making them relatable to 6th graders.)

(Teacher): "Now, let's talk about why this is so important. How do you think cyberbullying makes people feel?"

(Allow a few student responses. Then, display Digital Well-being Warriors Slide Deck - Slide 4: Cyberbullying and Your Mental Health.)

(Teacher): "Cyberbullying can make people feel really sad, anxious, worried, lonely, or even angry. It can make someone afraid to go online, or even afraid to come to school. These are all feelings that affect our mental health, which is how we think, feel, and act. It's really important to remember: your feelings are important, and it's okay to not be okay. We all need to know how to protect ourselves and others online."

Cyberbullying Response Activity (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "The good news is, we have power! There are things we can do if we experience cyberbullying or see it happening. We're going to learn a strategy called Stop, Block, Tell."

(Display Digital Well-being Warriors Slide Deck - Slide 5: Your Power: Stop, Block, Tell. Go through each point.)

(Teacher): "Let's break down 'Stop, Block, Tell.'

• Stop: This means don't respond immediately. Take a deep breath. Don't let your emotions make the situation worse. Responding can sometimes give the cyberbully exactly what they want.
• Block: This is about taking control. Block the person sending mean messages. Unfollow or unfriend them. You can also change your privacy settings so they can't bother you. You have the right to decide who can contact you online.
• Tell: This is the most important step. Tell a trusted adult. That could be a parent, guardian, teacher, school counselor, or another adult you trust. Show them the evidence, like screenshots of messages or posts. You are not alone, and adults are there to help you!"

(Teacher): "Now, let's put this strategy into practice. I'm going to hand out the Cyberbullying Response Activity Sheet. You can work individually or with a partner. Read each scenario and write down what you would do using the 'Stop, Block, Tell' steps."

(Distribute Cyberbullying Response Activity Sheet. Give students about 7-8 minutes to work.)

(Teacher): "Let's discuss a couple of these scenarios. Who would like to share their 'Stop, Block, Tell' plan for one of the situations?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, reinforcing the importance of each step and the courage it takes to tell an adult.)

Cool-Down: One-Word Reflection (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "You've all been amazing Digital Well-being Warriors today! Remember, your online actions have real-life impacts. Always strive to be kind and respectful online. If you see something mean or harmful, say something to a trusted adult. And most importantly, if you ever experience cyberbullying, remember to Stop, Block, Tell!"

(Display Digital Well-being Warriors Slide Deck - Slide 7: Be a Digital Well-being Warrior!)

(Teacher): "For our cool-down, I want everyone to take a moment and think about everything we discussed today. On a piece of paper or a sticky note, please write down one word that describes what you learned, how you feel about digital well-being now, or what you will remember from today's lesson. This will be your exit ticket."

(Collect the Cool-Down: One-Word Reflection responses. Briefly summarize key takeaways from the lesson as students are working/handing in.)