Lesson Sequence

Media Integration and Discussion

Watch Ryan Halligan’s Story available in the ISAFE video library.

Ask students to give examples of the negative effects of cyber bullying on the victim. Discuss student responses.

Sample Student Response:

• low self-esteem
• loneliness
• depression
• anxiety
• physical stress
• social withdrawal
• guilt and shame
• self-harm
• suicide ideation

Tell students that, according to the only 1 in 10 cyber bullied teens will tell a parent or trusted adult about the situation (source: Hartford County Examiner).

Ask: Why do some victims of cyber bullying choose not to tell someone about the situation?

Sample Student Response:

• fear of retaliation from the bully or group
• fear of losing access to technology
• the victim does not feel like he/she has someone trustworthy to talk to
• the victim does not feel like anyone can stop the situation
• the victim feels like the situation is his or her fault
• the victim is too embarrassed to tell someone

Distribute the Worksheet Examine the Issue: Cyber Bullying.

Give students time to read individually, as a whole class, or instruct students to follow along.

Use the teacher discussion guide and questions to conduct a conversation on cyber bullying.

Explain that bullying is not a normal behavior. Most people do not cyber bully, but cyber bullying is a serious problem.

Tell the students that each person has a responsibility to identify, prevent and appropriately respond to cyber bullying

Define social responsibility.

Social responsibility is the sense of obligation or duty to act for the good of society as a whole. As digital citizens, individuals have a responsibility to speak up for those who are cyber bullied, and to take the appropriate action.

Ask the students to consider their role, as peers, in helping someone who is being cyber bullied.

TEACHER DISCUSSION GUIDE – Examine the Issue: Cyber Bullying

1. What is cyber bullying?

Define cyber bullying as the willful and repeated harm carried out by a group or individual through electronic forms of contact against a victim who is not easily able to defend him or herself.

2. How is cyber bullying similar to bullying in person?

Identify the four traits of cyber bullying: (1) intentional, (2) repeated over time, (3) harmful, and (4) involves an imbalance of power.

3. How is cyber bullying different than bullying in person?

Be sure to address each of the following concepts:

• anonymity - unknown; cyber bullies can hide behind an alias or unspecified identity
• 24/7 access - cyber bullying occurs around the clock; those who bully access the target from anywhere at any time
• audience - digital communications technology transmits information to billions of people through different messaging systems (text, e-mail, social networks, Websites, discussion boards)
• false courage - people are more likely to say and do something when they do not foresee the negative consequences of their actions; those who cyber bully may not think that they will get caught
• fear of punishment or retaliation - young victims of cyber bullying are less likely to report an incident if they think that adults will take away access to technology; victims are also less likely to report an incident when they think that the cyber bully (or group) will retaliate.

Supporting Question: How might someone misuse technology to cyber bully?

Sample Student Response:

• sending harassing text messages, private messages, IMs, or e-mails
• forwarding hurtful or embarrassing messages
• posting mean or embarrassing content about someone on social media
• revealing confidential information that causes a person harm or humiliation
• tricking someone to disclose a secret in order to make the information public
• publically shaming or degrading someone on a website or social network
• threatening to inflict harm on someone
• purposefully making someone feel left out or ostracized

Think About It

Prompt students to reflect: How might you help someone who is cyber bullied? Refer to Sample Student Responses in the Follow-Up Discussion.

Supporting Question: Would you speak up if you saw someone cyber bullying? Why or why not?

Group Activity – Standing Up and Stepping In

Tell students that they can break the negative cycle of cyber bullying by standing up and stepping in to support those who are dealing with a cyber-bullying situation.

Arrange students in groups of 3-5.

Instruct students to brainstorm ways that they can help someone who is cyber bullied. Students will jot their ideas down on paper or in a digital document.

Emphasize that students need to take care that their actions do not put them in any immediate danger. Furthermore, when helping someone, they need to respect that person’s boundaries.

Follow-Up Discussion

Invite the students to explain the ways that they would step in and stand up for a victim of cyber bullying.

Sample Student Response:

• let the person know that you are available to listen
• assure the person that they are not at fault
• give advice about what to do
• encourage the person to talk to a trustworthy adult (e.g. parent, guardian, coach, teacher, counselor, faith leader)
• send positive text messages or posts
• form group support – online or offline
• speak up online
• anonymously report the incident to the site, social net
• get advice from a trustworthy adult on what to do

Present the following scenario:

You notice that one of your peers at school is being cyber bullied. You saw the photos and comments on social media. Now, rumors are circulating around the school. The person feels terrible. What can you do to help this person?

Ask: Why do you suppose that people do not help others who are cyber bullied?

Sample Student Response:

• They do not know what to do
• They do not want to be cyber bullied either
• They do not want to get involved

Group Activity – What Would You Do?

Present students with the three scenarios.

Optional: Student groups create their own cyber bullying scenarios and exchange with the other groups.

Instruct students to discuss each of the three scenarios in their groups and describe the possible steps that they would take if faced with a similar situation. Students submit their answers in writing or in a digital document.

Follow-Up Discussion

Discuss the results of the group activity.

Ask: What actions or solutions did your group brainstorm?

• Scenario 1: Julie and Alli
• Scenario 2: Tony the new kid
• Scenario 3: Mark and Kate

As a class, create a list of steps that a person can take in response to cyber bullying.

Sample Student Response:

• Tell the cyber bully to stop (in some cases)
• Do not engage with the cyber bully
• Block the cyber bully
• Save and record the cyber bully’s messages or posts
• Report the cyber bully to the school or online service
• Talk to a trustworthy adult

Student Project – Create a Personal Action Plan

Distribute the instructions for creating a personal action plan.

Review the instructions with the students.

Wrap-Up

Students will reflect on what they have learned in the lesson and make real-world connections.

• What did you learn about cyber bullying?
• How might you counteract cyber bullying in your school and online communities?

Empowerment

Empowerment Activities

Activity 1 – Create an Infographic

Research the most recent cyber bullying statistics and information in the lesson to create an infographic.

Get permission to display the infographic on the class or school website. Share the infographic with the iDrive community.

Option: Use the Student Handout: Statistics

Activity 2 – Make it Real with Roleplay

Stage a dramatization of a cyber-bullying situation. Perform at a school assembly or capture the dramatization on video. Submit your videos to iDrive and share your preformation with students across the nation. (Be sure to download and submit a Media Release Form.)

Activity 3 – Create a Campaign to Counteract Cyberbullying

Launch a campaign on your school campus to counteract the negative effects of cyberbullying with positive actions. With permission from the school administrator, create digital content to share on the school’s website or social media channels.

Youth Empowerment: Leave Your Mark

iDrive is a Youth Outreach and Empowerment program of ISAFE. Students, age 13+ can register as an iDrive Agent and participate in a number of campaigns and initiatives. As iDrive Agents, students in grades 8-12 engage in project-based learning activities to share with other students who are members of the ISAFE community. By providing students with an authentic audience, they gain a greater sense of purpose for their digital citizenship and e-Safety projects.

Direct students to register as iDrive Agents at www.idrivetvonline.com