Cyberbullying Lesson 2 Years 7–9

Cyberbullying Lesson plan

Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2 Duration: 50min Date: Teacher:

BackgroundThis lesson follows on from Introduction to Cyberbullying Lesson 1. It aims to reinforce the concepts of Lesson 1 and further raise young people’s awareness of how their actions can either support or prevent instances of cyberbullying, by examining another different cyberbullying situation. It also aims to help children empathise with the victims of cyberbullying. From this perspective, ideally we can foster a more caring, supportive community for our children.

This lesson provides optional and alternative learning experiences and extension activities so that teachers have plenty of material to work with and can adapt this for their particular group. Excellent resources developed by ACMA are incorporated into this lesson for the older students.

Look for possible linkages The lesson concepts ideally would be linked to your own school’s policies, curriculum, themes, and/or student rules to complement and reinforce these. For example, you may refer to your school’s ICT student policies and student rules, such as Be safe, Be responsible, Be respectful. Ideally, these would be linked to the concepts of this lesson of recognising cyberbullying as a negative or irresponsible behaviour that can have a lasting impact, and then promoting ways of being responsible by preventing or minimising the occurrence of cyberbullying.

Learning Objectives

This lesson will enable students the opportunity to:

> identify cyberbullying and identify cyberbullying as a

negative behaviour;

> learn to recognise cyberbullying;

> develop a better understanding of the emotional impact of

cyberbullying;

> develop awareness that personal actions and choices may

contribute to cyberbullying without intention or realisation;

> understand what ethical online behaviour entails;

> develop ways to prevent or minimise cyberbullying and to find

help if vicitimised, thereby supporting oneself and others in

their community.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

Resources required for this lessonCase study “Gemma’s story” and optional student question sheet. Access to the internet by the class is desirable but not essential as it allows for an optional activity.

IntroductionRecap what cyberbullying includes and recall the class Code of Behaviour (Tips) for preventing cyberbullying.

SequenceCase study “Gemma’s story” is about a girl who becomes a victim of cyberbullying by her classmates and is isolated from her friends as a result.

Alternatively for Year 9 students the ACMA video “Lauren’s story” may be used here. ACMA provides a lesson plan and a student handout that can be adapted for the specific audience – cybersmart.gov.au/wiseuptoit and click on resources.

Suggested questions and answers for Gemma’s case study discussion (Please adapt for the age group and characteristics of your audience):

How did some students react to not being invited to Gemma’s pool party? They posted mean comments about her on the online chat rooms and texted her. They convinced her friends not to go to her party, therefore isolating her.

5min

30min

TIME COnTEnT TEAChER InSTRuCTIOnS LEARnER ACTIvITIES

Recap on previous lesson and gauge any feedback on the homework activity.

Introduce today’s lesson, which looks at a different situation and other forms of cyberbullying and ways to minimise it.

Introduce and read the case study “Gemma’s story.” Instruct students to be ready to answer questions afterwards – We are concerned with how the victims of cyberbullying feel and what they and WE can do to overcome/minimise cyberbullying.

Class discussion Ask students questions as part of a group discussion of the case study/video concepts and to check their understanding and explore the topic.

OR alternatively

Small group work Arrange students in small groups and provide them with a question sheet (see below for Gemma’s case study question sheet) to discuss and report back to the class.Teacher explanation as required.Talk about the emotional impact of cyberbullying and link back to Gemma’s story. Draw students into empathising how the victim might feel and react, and who he/she could go to for support.

Students respond to questions.

Students listen to the case study.

Class discussion or small group work. Students respond to questions.

Listen and ask questions.Respond to questions/statements.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

Was this Gemma’s fault? How did the bullying make Gemma feel? No she did nothing wrong and there is no excuse for cyberbullying. It made her feel upset and alone.

What technology/action could Gemma use/take to reduce or stop the cyberbullying messages?She could (suggestions may include):> block on her phone any unwanted incoming messages from the cyberbullies> remove those people from her account on her social networking page and/or not open and read emails from these people> keep copies of any bullying messages to show and talk to a trusted adult, teacher or Helpline counsellor for support.

Why didn’t Gemma want to tell her parents? She was worried that they would take internet access away from her.

How did her parents help when they did find out? If this didn’t work, what else could Gemma do?They spoke to her teacher who investigated what was going on and told the students to stop saying mean things.

Explain that sometimes bullies persist and it is important to continue to tell those people who can support you. If this strategy did not work, Gemma could tell her parents and work out another strategy that might involve someone else such as a Kids Helpline counsellor.

(continued)

TIME COnTEnT TEAChER InSTRuCTIOnS LEARnER ACTIvITIES

Listen, think, respond and ask further questions.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

Remember Keeping quiet about cyberbullying only helps the bullies as it stops them from getting caught. The best thing you can do if you’re being cyberbullied is tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult.

What responsible action could Gemma’s friends have taken?Reported the bullying messages and not responded or joined in. They should have told the bullies it is wrong and then supported Gemma by going to her party and showed the bullies that they are not listened to or able to influence others.

Remember Speak out whenever you see someone being mean to another person online. Most people respond better to criticism from their peers than to disapproval from adults. (Ref: bullyingnoway.com.au)

See cybersmart.gov.au – teens:

- “You’re in control”

- “Cyberbullying”

Extension activityWhat is our school’s policy on bullying/cyberbullying? See ACMA “Lauren’s” story for more details on how this extension activity can involve students in learning their rights and responsibilities – cybersmart.gov.au/wiseuptoit and click on resources.

Ask students to explore websites to find out more about the impact of cyberbullying and what they can personally do to prevent it.

What is our school’s policy on bullying? How is bullying identified, reported and dealt with? Is there anything specific on cyberbullying? If not students could draft a cyberbullying policy to present to administration. The class code of behaviour (from the previous lesson) can be the foundation for this.

Students search websites in preparation for reporting back to the class on what they have found and how it applies to them and their school.

Students develop in small groups their own cyberbullying policy or examine the school’s policy and link back to the lesson.

(continued)

TIME COnTEnT TEAChER InSTRuCTIOnS LEARnER ACTIvITIES

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

ConclusionKeep in mind that while we use technology to communicate we can take away a cyberbullies means of communication by blocking and not reading their messages and certainly not joining in.

homework To share with their parents/carers what they learnt about cyberbullying in today’s lesson.

10min

TIME COnTEnT TEAChER InSTRuCTIOnS LEARnER ACTIvITIES

Class quiz (Reflection on what has been learnt over the two lessons)Break the class into two groups and ask each group to take in turns questioning the other group about key points they have learned from these cyberbullying lessons, eg. name two responsible things you can do to support a friend who is being cyberbullied Have small prizes for the group with:

a) the most correct answers and/or b) the best questions.

Set a homework activity for students to share with their parents/carers information/links on cyberbullying.

Students participate in the quiz by making up their own quiz questions and responding to the questions asked by the other group.

Copy down homework.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

Resources:1. Case study “Gemma’s story”

2. Parent/carer information sheets and links:http://www.kidshelp.com.au/grownups/news-research/hot-topics/cyber-bullying.php for Kids Helpline Tip Sheet on Cyberbullying.

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/Resources%20to%20use%20with%20your%20child.aspx for “Parents – Resources to use with your child – Resources for young children” for resources that parents can work through with their child to explore internet safety and cyberbullying. This includes establishing who to go to if there is a problem with cyberbullying, etc.

http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/cyberBullyingParents.shtml for what parents can do to prevent cyberbullying of their child.

3. Kids Helpline is a free 24-hour counselling service for Australian kids and young people aged 5-25 years. You can get help over the phone, email or web. Kids Helpline counsellors talk with more than 6,000 kids each week, and help with all sorts of problems, big and small – ph 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Kids Helpline “Cyberbullying,” information for teenagers and young adults – http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-info/hot-topics/cyber-bullying.php

Kids Helpline “Staying safe online” - http://www.kidshelp.com.au/kids/information/hot-topics/staying-safe-online4.php See web pages 4-5.

Kids Helpline – “Bullying” http://www.kidshelp.com.au/kids/information/hot-topics/bullying1.php While this link is not specifically about cyberbullying, it does provide practical advice for seeking support and coping strategies for bullying.

4. ACMA www.cybersmart.gov.au This site has a list of other links for students and teachers to explore and learn more tips for safe internet useage. This includes the site, Cybersmart, developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Cybersmart is part of the

Australian Government’s cybersafety program. Cybersmart provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world.Cybersmart also offers training and resources for schools. Information related to lesson includes:

What research tells us about 12/13-year-olds online

Cybercitizen profile ages 12/13 – this includes “Positive online behaviour.” Positive online behaviour is the ability to develop positive, appropriate and constructive online relationships with peers, family and strangers in a variety of mediums.

What research tells us about 14/15-year-olds online

Cybercitizen profile ages 14/15

5. Some links for the student research activity for this lesson. http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens/Tips%20and%20advice/Cyberbullying.aspx for tips on Cyberbullying “If a friend is being cyberbullied” and “Help stop cyberbullying”

http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/cyberBullyingIs.shtml “Cyberbullying?”

http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/bystander/bystanderstudents.shtml “What can students do?” This provides clear advice on how students can act to prevent cyberbullying. An excellent support resource for this lesson.

http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/cyberBullyingPrevention.shtml “So what can we do?”

www.cybersmart.gov.au/wiseuptoit and click on resources

6. Teacher references.http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/talkout/spotlight/cyberBullyingSchools.shtml (Cyberbullying) I wonder what our school is doing about it.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens/Fun%20things%20to%20do/WiseuptoIT.aspx for videos of case studies of students that could be included in this lesson or a follow-up lesson with the older students.

www.cybersmart.gov.au/wiseuptoit and click on resources

Note: This lesson would take longer than the suggested time for the younger classes and may require breaking up into smaller segments. Teachers are encouraged to accommodate their range of learners by modifying student learning experiences where appropriate.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

CASE STuDY – GEMMA’S STORYFor my birthday, my parents said I could celebrate by inviting some friends over at our house for a pool party. Because my house isn’t very big they said I could only invite 10 people from my class.

I was happy that I finally got to have my friends over, but things got bad when some other kids in my class found out they weren’t invited.

They started saying really mean things about me on the online chat rooms that we hang out on, and texting me. They said ‘Gemma is a loser’ and ‘Gemma is fat and has no friends.’ Then they got other people to remove me from their friends list and ignore me.

They even convinced my other friends not to go to my party.

I was so upset, and felt so alone.

When I told my parents I no longer wanted to have a pool party, they could tell that something was wrong but I didn’t want to tell them what was happening. I like the internet and I was worried that they would take it away from me if they knew I was being bullied.

They finally got me to tell them the problem and I feel so much better now. They spoke to my teacher and she got the students to understand that they what they had done to me was wrong. They apologised and have stopped saying those things about me now.

If it ever happens again in the future, I know I have people who I can turn to and who can support me.

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2 Student question sheet (optional for small group work)

1. How did some students react to not being invited to Gemma’s pool party?

2. Was this Gemma’s fault? How did the bullying make Gemma feel?

3. What technology/actions could Gemma use/take to reduce or stop the cyberbullying messages?

GEMMA’S STORY - case study

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2 Student question sheet (optional for small group work)

4. Why didn’t Gemma want to tell her parents?

5. How did her parents help when they did find out? If this didn’t work, what else could Gemma do?

6. What responsible action could Gemma’s friends have taken?

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Topic: Cyberbullying Lesson 2

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kidshelp.com.au1800 55 1800