The Impact of Words: Cyberbullying and Mental Health

Tracey Bennett

Tier 1

Quiz

Pre-Test: Cyberbullying Knowledge Check

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Lesson Plan

The Impact of Words: Cyberbullying and Mental Health

Understand cyberbullying's mental health impact and develop strategies for support.

This lesson explores the impact of cyberbullying on mental health, encouraging students to reflect on their own experiences and develop resilience. Through peer support action plans, students will learn to recognize the effects of harmful words and build strategies to support themselves and others. This lesson is crucial for fostering a supportive and empathetic school environment.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Understand cyberbullying's mental health impact

Materials

Discussion Questions, Action Plan Worksheet, Pens and Paper, Understanding Cyberbullying Video, Cyberbullying: What to Do Video, Pre-Test: Cyberbullying Knowledge Check, Post-Test: Cyberbullying Understanding, and Bullying & Cyberbullying: Know the Facts!

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Review the Discussion Questions, Action Plan Worksheet, Understanding Cyberbullying Video, Cyberbullying: What to Do Video, Pre-Test: Cyberbullying Knowledge Check, Post-Test: Cyberbullying Understanding, and Bullying & Cyberbullying: Know the Facts!.

Step 1

Pre-Test

5 mins

Administer the Pre-Test: Cyberbullying Knowledge Check to assess students' prior knowledge.

Step 2

Introduction

3 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on what cyberbullying is and its prevalence.
Ask students to share any general thoughts or experiences (anonymously if preferred).

Step 3

Present Slides: Bullying & Cyberbullying

8 mins

Present the Bullying & Cyberbullying: Know the Facts! to the class.
Discuss the definitions of bullying and cyberbullying, their differences, and common impacts on mental health. Encourage questions and short reflections after each slide.

Step 4

Discussion on Impact

4 mins

Use the provided Discussion Questions to guide a conversation about how cyberbullying affects mental health.
Encourage students to think about both immediate and long-term effects.

Step 5

Watch Video: Understanding Cyberbullying

5 mins

Present the Understanding Cyberbullying Video to the class.
After the video, briefly discuss initial reactions and observations.

Step 6

Watch Video: Cyberbullying: What to Do

4 mins

Present the Cyberbullying: What to Do Video to the class.
Discuss the actionable steps presented in the video and how students can apply them.

Step 7

Action Plan Creation

6 mins

Distribute the Action Plan Worksheet.
Have students work individually or in pairs to create a plan for supporting peers who may be experiencing cyberbullying.

Step 8

Post-Test & Closure

10 mins

Administer the Post-Test: Cyberbullying Understanding to gauge learning.
Invite students to share their action plans if comfortable.
Summarize key takeaways and encourage ongoing support and empathy among peers.

Slide Deck

Bullying & Cyberbullying: Know the Facts!

Understanding the impact of our words and actions online and offline.

Introduce the topic of bullying and cyberbullying to students. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear these words.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

Types of Bullying:

Physical: Hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping
Verbal: Teasing, name-calling, threats
Social: Excluding others, spreading rumors
Emotional: Hurting feelings, making someone feel bad

Define bullying and discuss different forms. Ask students for examples they may have heard about (without naming anyone).

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through SMS, texts, apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming.

Key Differences:

Anonymity: Bullies can hide their identity.
Reach: Harmful content can spread quickly and widely.
Persistence: Content can remain online indefinitely.
Escape: It can be harder to escape cyberbullying, as it can happen anywhere, anytime.

Explain cyberbullying and highlight how it differs from traditional bullying due to technology. Discuss anonymity and wide reach.

The Impact: Words Have Power

Both traditional bullying and cyberbullying can have serious negative effects on mental health, including:

Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Feelings of isolation
Academic difficulties
Sleep problems
Suicidal thoughts (in severe cases)

Discuss the various impacts on mental health. Emphasize that words, online or offline, have real consequences.

What Can You Do?

If you or someone you know is being bullied or cyberbullied:

Tell a trusted adult: Parent, teacher, counselor, coach.
Don't respond: Block the bully, don't engage.
Save the evidence: Take screenshots, save messages.
Be an 'Upstander': Support your friends, report bullying, don't participate in spreading rumors or hurtful content.
Practice self-care: Talk to someone, engage in hobbies, take a break from screens.

Provide actionable steps for students who witness or experience bullying/cyberbullying. Stress the importance of telling a trusted adult and being an upstander.

Slide Deck

Watch this video to understand the real-life impact of cyberbullying.

Introduce the video as a way to visually understand cyberbullying and its effects. Encourage students to pay attention to the emotional impact shown.

Slide Deck

Learn practical steps to respond to and prevent cyberbullying.

Introduce this video as focusing on actionable steps students can take if they encounter cyberbullying. Encourage them to think about how these strategies align with their action plans.

Discussion

Discussion Questions

A set of questions to guide a discussion on the impact of cyberbullying on mental health.

How does cyberbullying differ from traditional bullying?

Discuss the anonymity and reach of online platforms.

What are some mental health effects of cyberbullying?

Consider anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.

How can we support someone who is being cyberbullied?

Explore empathy, listening, and reporting strategies.

Worksheet

Action Plan Worksheet

A worksheet for students to create a plan to support peers experiencing cyberbullying.

Identify a peer support strategy you can implement.

List resources or people you can turn to for help.

Describe how you will check in with a friend who might be affected.

Test

Post-Test: Cyberbullying Understanding