The Cyber Maze Game Overview

Welcome to The Cyber Maze Challenge. In this game, you'll navigate through a series of online scenarios that mimic real-life digital interactions. Each choice you make will lead to different outcomes, helping you understand the consequences of your online actions, especially in the context of cyberbullying.

Game Objective

• Explore: Experience different online scenarios and see how various behaviors can lead to positive or negative outcomes.
• Understand: Learn how actions like cyberbullying, sharing private information, or making impulsive comments can affect both you and others.
• Reflect: Discuss your experiences and decisions with your classmates to better understand online responsibility.

How to Play

1. Start the Challenge:
   • You'll be presented with different online scenarios. Carefully read each situation.
2. Make Your Decision:
   • Choose from multiple options on how to react. Think about the potential outcomes of your choice.
3. See the Outcome:
   • After each decision, the game will reveal the short-term and long-term consequences of the action.
4. Discuss and Reflect:
   • After completing the game, share your experiences and discuss what you learned about online behavior and cyberbullying.

Tips for Success

• Be thoughtful: When making decisions, pause and consider how your choice might impact others.
• Think critically: Evaluate both the immediate and future effects of your actions.
• Be respectful: Remember that online interactions affect real people's feelings and lives.

Post-Game Discussion

After playing, your teacher will guide you through a discussion using the Game Reflection guide and the Maze Experience Summary cool-down activity.

Use this time to share insights: How did your choices affect the game outcome? What would you do differently next time?

Enjoy the challenge and learn how to make a positive impact online!

Game Reflection

Let's talk about your time in the Cyber Maze game. Answer these questions and share your thoughts with the class. Use your game examples to explain your ideas.

Questions

1. How did you feel when you first saw a hard situation in the game?
   

   • Describe your feelings and why you felt that way.
     
     
     

2. Think about one choice you made. How did it change what happened next?
   

   • Explain what happened right away and later because of your choice.
     
     
     

3. How are your game choices like things you might do online for real?
   

   • Talk about how the game scenarios are similar to real online actions, especially about being kind or unkind.
     
     
     

4. What would you do differently if you faced a similar situation in real life?
   

   • Think about a better choice you could make, and how it might help everyone feel better.
     
     
     

5. What is one important lesson you learned from the game?
   

   • Share one thing that helps you make good choices online.
     
     
     

Group Time

• Share your answers with your group and discuss your ideas.
  
• Listen to each other and talk about how your choices can make online spaces kinder.
  
  
  

Maze Experience Summary

Take a few minutes to think about your journey through the Cyber Maze game. Use this time to remember what you learned and how you can make good choices online.

Reflection Prompts

1. My Journey:
   

   • Write a short summary of your path through the maze. What moments or choices were important to you?
     
     
     

2. What I Learned:
   

   • What is one or two lessons you learned? How do these lessons help you make better choices online?
     
     
     

3. My Plan:
   

   • Write one thing you can do in the future to make your online actions positive.
     
     
     

Sharing Time

• When you are done, share your thoughts with a friend or a small group.
  
• Listen to others and talk about how we can all be kinder and more responsible online.
  
  
  

Cyber Maze Scenarios

Below are several scenarios designed to simulate realistic online interactions. Each scenario presents a situation where students must make a decision about how to act, now with an extra option to report the situation to an adult. After choosing an option, students can discuss the consequences of their decision, reflecting on the impact on both themselves and others.

Scenario 1: The Exclusion Chat

You notice that a group chat among friends is excluding one student by sharing jokes and fun plans without them. You know this student feels left out.

Decision Options:

• A. Join the conversation without mentioning the excluded student.
  
  Consequence: The excluded student continues to feel isolated, and you may feel guilty later.
  
  
  
• B. Gently suggest that the group include the student in the conversation.
  
  Consequence: The student feels acknowledged, and the group becomes more inclusive.
  
  
  
• C. Leave the chat to avoid being part of excluding someone.
  
  Consequence: You miss out on the conversation, but stand by your principle of non-exclusion.
  
  
• D. Report the situation to a trusted adult.
  
  Consequence: An adult can assist by speaking with the group to promote inclusivity and address exclusion behavior early on.
  
  
  

Scenario 2: The Unkind Post

You see a post on social media that includes a hurtful comment about another student. The post is being shared among peers, and some are laughing at it.

Decision Options:

• A. Ignore the post and continue browsing.
  
  Consequence: The unkind behavior isn't challenged and may continue unchecked.
  
  
  
• B. Comment respectfully asking why such hurtful words were used, inviting a more thoughtful conversation.
  
  Consequence: This may help others reflect on their words and discourage further cyberbullying.
  
  
  
• C. Share the post with your own comment mocking the student, joining in on the negativity.
  
  Consequence: This amplifies the hurtful message and may harm both the victim and your own reputation.
  
  
• D. Report the post to a trusted adult.
  
  Consequence: An adult can intervene to stop the spread of hurtful content and support the affected student.
  
  
  

Scenario 3: The Rumor Mill

A rumor starts circulating online about a student's personal life, and you notice several classmates believe and share it without verifying the facts.

Decision Options:

• A. Accept the rumor as true and share it with others.
  
  Consequence: The rumor spreads further, potentially harming someone's reputation.
  
  
  
• B. Ask for proof or clarification before sharing, and offer supportive words to the student if you know they are being unfairly targeted.
  
  Consequence: This approach encourages critical thinking and offers support to the targeted friend.
  
  
  
• C. Report the rumor to a teacher or moderator, explaining your concerns about the spread of misinformation.
  
  Consequence: This proactive step may help stop the harmful rumor and protect the victim from further cyberbullying.
  
  
  
• D. Report the situation to a trusted adult.
  
  Consequence: An adult can investigate the rumor and take appropriate action to dispel false information.
  
  
  

Scenario 4: The Oversharing Incident

You find a message where a classmate has shared someone else's private photo in a public group without consent. The post is gaining attention online.

Decision Options:

• A. Repost the image because it looks popular, without considering the privacy issues.
  
  Consequence: You contribute to invading someone's privacy, potentially causing harm to the student.
  
  
  
• B. Politely comment that sharing private photos without permission is not acceptable, and encourage others to respect privacy.
  
  Consequence: This could spark a discussion about digital ethics and the importance of consent.
  
  
  
• C. Do nothing and hope that the incident will be resolved by others.
  
  Consequence: The privacy breach may continue unchecked, causing ongoing harm.
  
  
  
• D. Report the post to a trusted adult.
  
  Consequence: Involving an adult can lead to a timely intervention to remove the photo and educate about respecting privacy.
  
  
  

Scenario 5: The Supportive Post

A friend is feeling down after receiving negative comments online. They post a message asking for support. You have a chance to respond.

Decision Options:

• A. Ignore the post because you don't relate to the issue.
  
  Consequence: Your friend may feel more isolated and unsupported.
  
  
  
• B. Leave a kind comment, offering empathy and asking if they need someone to talk to.
  
  Consequence: Your support can boost your friend's mood and encourage a positive online community.
  
  
  
• C. Criticize your friend for posting publicly instead of handling their feelings privately.
  
  Consequence: This could further hurt your friend and discourage others from seeking help in the future.
  
  
  
• D. Report the post to a trusted adult.
  
  Consequence: Reporting to an adult can ensure your friend receives the proper support and that the negative comments are addressed appropriately.
  
  
  

Each scenario is designed to encourage not only thoughtful decision-making about online behaviors but also the importance of seeking help from trusted adults when necessary. After each decision, discuss in your group:

• What were the immediate consequences of your choice?
  
• What might be the long-term impact on everyone involved?
  
• How does this relate to the broader issue of cyberbullying and online responsibility?