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From Bystander to Upstander

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Lesson Plan

From Bystander to Upstander

Students will identify three upstander strategies (support, report, distract) and apply one in a role-play scenario to combat cyberbullying.

This lesson is important because it equips students with practical strategies to actively combat cyberbullying, fostering a safer and more empathetic online and school community.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided discussion, and role-playing.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Be an Upstander Slides, Markers or pens, Upstander Scenario Cards, and My Upstander Commitment

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Do Now: What does cyberbullying look like?

5 minutes

  • Display the 'Do Now' question on the board: "What is cyberbullying, and what are some ways it can show up online?"
    - Have students briefly jot down their thoughts or share with a partner.
    - Facilitate a quick whole-class share-out, listing student responses on the board. Emphasize that cyberbullying often involves repeated, intentional harm through electronic means.

Step 2

Teach Upstander Strategies (Support, Report, Distract)

10 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of an 'upstander' using the Be an Upstander Slides.
    - Explain the three key upstander strategies: Support, Report, and Distract.
    - Support: Directly or indirectly help the target. (e.g.,
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Slide Deck

From Bystander to Upstander

Let's create a safer online world together!

Introduce the topic by asking students to think about cyberbullying and its forms. This slide sets the stage for the 'Do Now' activity.

What is an Upstander?

An Upstander is someone who recognizes when something is wrong and acts to make it right.

They don't just watch; they take action!

Facilitate a brief discussion based on the 'Do Now' prompt. Collect student ideas on the board. Transition to defining what an Upstander is.

Upstander Strategy 1: Support

Be a Friend, Not a Foe

  • Reach Out: Send a private message to the person being targeted.
  • Show Empathy: Let them know you care and they're not alone.
  • Offer Help: Ask what you can do to support them.

Introduce the first strategy: Support. Provide clear examples and encourage students to think about how they might do this.

Upstander Strategy 2: Report

When and How to Get Help

  • Tell a Trusted Adult: Parent, teacher, counselor, administrator.
  • Use Reporting Tools: Most social media platforms have options to report bullying content or users.
  • Take Screenshots: Evidence can be important!

Introduce the second strategy: Report. Emphasize the importance of reporting to trusted adults and using platform features.

Upstander Strategy 3: Distract

Shift the Focus

  • Change the Subject: Post something positive or unrelated to the bullying.
  • Engage Others: Start a new, positive conversation or activity.
  • Draw Attention Away: Divert the bully's attention from the target.

Introduce the third strategy: Distract. Explain how changing the subject or drawing attention away can de-escalate a situation.

Practice Time: Role-Play!

Now, let's put these strategies into action!

We'll work in groups to practice being an Upstander.

Set up the role-play activity. Explain that students will be practicing these strategies.

Your Upstander Commitment

What's one way you can be an Upstander in your daily life or online?

Think about it and be ready to commit!

Conclude the lesson by asking students to think about their personal commitment. This transitions to the 'Cool Down' activity.

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Activity

Upstander Scenario Cards

Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario. Discuss which upstander strategy (Support, Report, or Distract) would be most effective, and then role-play how you would respond as an upstander. Be prepared to share your role-play with the class.

Scenario 1: The Mean Meme

Your friend, Maya, posts a picture of herself online, and someone quickly turns it into a mean meme, sharing it in a group chat with a lot of laughing emojis. Several people in the chat start making fun of her appearance. You see Maya online and she suddenly goes silent.

As an Upstander, what would you do? Which strategy would you use and how?












Scenario 2: The Exclusion Zone

There's a popular gaming group chat that you and your classmate, Ben, are both a part of. Lately, a few members have been constantly messaging Ben privately during group games, telling him he's bad at the game and that he should leave the group. They then mock his responses in the main group chat, making it obvious they are ganging up on him, but without explicitly saying what they are doing. Ben looks really uncomfortable and is playing less and less.

As an Upstander, what would you do? Which strategy would you use and how?












Scenario 3: The Fake Profile

Someone has created a fake social media profile using another student, David's, name and pictures. They are posting embarrassing and untrue things, pretending to be David. Many students are laughing at the posts, not realizing it's fake. You know David, and you can tell he's really upset by what's happening.

As an Upstander, what would you do? Which strategy would you use and how?












Scenario 4: The Direct Attack

During a live online class discussion, one student, Chloe, keeps typing rude and personal comments directly into the chat box, targeting another student, Sam, about their ideas for a project. The teacher hasn't noticed yet because they are focused on the main discussion. Sam looks visibly distressed on camera.

As an Upstander, what would you do? Which strategy would you use and how?












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Cool Down

My Upstander Commitment

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson about becoming an upstander. Think about the three strategies: Support, Report, and Distract.

  1. Which upstander strategy do you feel most confident using, and why?







  2. Think about your online interactions or situations you might encounter at school. Describe one specific situation where you commit to being an upstander. What action will you take?













  3. Why is it important for you to be an upstander in your community?







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From Bystander to Upstander • Lenny Learning