Cyberbullying Case Studies Packet

In each scenario below, work with your group to:

1. Identify the form of cyberbullying shown.
2. Describe its impact on the victim.
3. Propose at least two strategies bystanders or the victim could use to respond.

Case Study 1: Harassment

Alex posts a photo of Jordan at a school event. Within minutes, anonymous classmates flood the comment thread with mean jokes about Jordan’s appearance and rumors about their personal life. The comments keep coming even after Jordan asks the posters to stop.

Questions:

1. Form of cyberbullying:

1. Impact on Jordan:

1. Possible responses:

Case Study 2: Impersonation

A student creates a fake social-media profile in Mia’s name. The imposter sends offensive messages to Mia’s friends, and screenshots of private chats begin circulating among classmates. Mia’s reputation and friendships are at risk.

Questions:

1. Form of cyberbullying:

1. Impact on Mia:

1. Possible responses:

Case Study 3: Doxxing

Sam’s personal information—home address and phone number—gets posted by a classmate on a public forum after a disagreement. Strangers begin contacting Sam with threats and unwanted attention.

Questions:

1. Form of cyberbullying:

1. Impact on Sam:

1. Possible responses:

Case Study 4: Exclusion

A group chat for the school art club purposefully leaves out Taylor when planning a weekend drawing session. The group shares photos of the event, but Taylor realizes they were never invited.

Questions:

1. Form of cyberbullying:

1. Impact on Taylor:

1. Possible responses:

Harassment Scenarios Role-Play Worksheets

Use these worksheets in your small groups. Each group receives one scenario. Role-play twice: once as bystanders and once as proactive responders. Then debrief.

Scenario 1: Teasing in Group Chat

Your friend Taylor posts a selfie in the school club chat. Someone replies with a mocking GIF and comments, “Nice haircut, Grandma!” Other members add laughing emojis and mean remarks.

Round 1: Bystander Response

• As a bystander, what would you say or do to support Taylor and discourage the teasing?

Round 2: Proactive Responder

• As a proactive responder, intervene directly. What would you say to the teaser and the group?

Debrief Questions

1. How did it feel to speak up in each role?

1. Which approach seemed more effective and why?

1. What could you improve next time?

Scenario 2: Mocking Voice Note

During lunch, a classmate records and sends a voice note of Sam mispronouncing a word in Spanish class. They add a comment: “Sounded like a cartoon!” and it circulates among friends.

Round 1: Bystander Response

• As a bystander, how would you respond to the voice note thread?

Round 2: Proactive Responder

• As a proactive responder, what would you say or do to stop further sharing and support Sam?

Debrief Questions

1. What challenges did you face speaking up?

1. How did Sam’s feelings change when you intervened?

1. What key phrase or action made the biggest impact?

Scenario 3: Rumor Spread on Social Media

A rumor starts on the class Instagram story that Jordan cheated on a test. Several students screenshot and post it, tagging others to share their “thoughts.” Jordan is upset but afraid to defend themself.

Round 1: Bystander Response

• As a bystander scrolling through, what message or comment would you post?

Round 2: Proactive Responder

• As a proactive responder, how would you challenge the rumor and protect Jordan’s reputation?

Debrief Questions

1. Which words or tone felt most respectful?

1. Did your intervention shift the conversation? How?

1. How will you apply this in future online situations?

Scenario 4: Sharing an Embarrassing Photo

A student shares an unflattering photo of Mia at a party in the school Snapchat story with the caption, “Who invited the clown?” Several classmates screenshot and send it privately.

Round 1: Bystander Response

• As a bystander, what action or message would you send to the sharer or to Mia?

Round 2: Proactive Responder

• As a proactive responder, how would you address the sharer and support Mia’s privacy and dignity?

Debrief Questions

1. Which response felt most protective of Mia?

1. How did empathy influence your words?

1. What one commitment will you make the next time you see harassment online?

Reflection Journal Template

Use this journal to reflect on your learning about cyberbullying and digital citizenship. Write in complete sentences, be honest with yourself, and think deeply.

1. Recall an Incident

Describe a time when you witnessed or experienced cyberbullying. Who was involved? What happened?

2. Emotional Impact

How did you feel during the incident? How do you feel now when you think about it?

3. Response Analysis

What actions did you take, or what actions could you have taken differently? Reflect on why you chose (or would choose) those actions.

4. Perspective Taking

Imagine you are advising a friend who is being cyberbullied. What advice would you give them? Why would those strategies be helpful?

5. Goal Setting

Based on what you’ve learned today, write one SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) that you will commit to in order to prevent or respond to cyberbullying in the future.

6. Optional Creative Response

Write a brief letter, poem, short story, or comic-strip outline that illustrates positive online behavior or shows how someone successfully intervened in an online harassment situation.

Cyber Check-In

Take a few minutes to respond to the prompts below. Be honest and concise—it’s okay to keep answers brief.

1. Which online platforms or apps do you use most often?
   
   
   
   
2. Have you ever witnessed or experienced mean or hurtful messages online? Briefly describe what happened.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. When you see something online that seems unfair or harmful, how do you usually react?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. On a scale of 1 (not at all comfortable) to 5 (very comfortable), how comfortable are you speaking up to stop online harassment? _______

(Estimated time: 5 minutes)

Digital Citizenship Pledge

As we conclude today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to positive online behavior. Write your pledge in the space below.

I pledge to:

• ________________________________________________________________

• ________________________________________________________________

• ________________________________________________________________

Date: ____________ Signature: ___________________________

Instructions:

• Be specific and actionable: use verbs like “speak up,” “support,” or “report.”
• Keep it concise: focus on one or two concrete actions you will take.
• Turn in your signed pledge as your exit ticket to show you’re ready to be a positive digital citizen.