Have you ever wondered when online behavior becomes cyberbullying and what you can do about it? My name is Amy Withers, and I teach at Amista Dual Language School in Manhattan. While joking with friends online can be fun, it’s important to know when teasing crosses the line and becomes harmful.
Cyberbullying can take many forms. One common type is harassment, which involves sending hurtful messages repeatedly through digital platforms. In this lesson, we’ll explore different forms of cyberbullying and how they affect people.
We’ll watch a video about a teenager who experiences cyberbullying. In the video, a misunderstanding about a comment leads to conflict. The teenager shares how she was harassed online and talks about her mother’s advice to report the incident to the school. However, she’s worried that reporting it might make things worse.
After the video, we’ll discuss whether reporting the incident could actually help or worsen the situation. You’ll have the chance to share your thoughts with your classmates, considering different viewpoints. Some might think reporting could escalate the problem, while others believe it might help solve it.
Cyberbullying can have a big emotional impact. We’ll reflect on how we might feel if we were in similar situations. Understanding both the positive and negative sides of online interactions is crucial.
Next, we’ll examine two case studies about different cyberbullying incidents. You’ll read about a boy and a girl who faced cyberbullying and consider the perspectives of everyone involved, including the bully, the victim, and their families.
During these discussions, you’ll be encouraged to support your opinions with evidence. For instance, you might talk about how negative comments online affected a candidate running for class president and influenced others’ opinions.
Each group will share a key point from their discussions. We’ll emphasize the importance of honesty and integrity in online interactions and discuss the serious consequences of cyberbullying. This lesson is vital for helping you recognize when online behavior crosses the line and what actions you can take to address it.
Design a poster that highlights the different forms of cyberbullying and their impact. Use drawings, slogans, and facts to educate your classmates about recognizing and preventing cyberbullying. Display your poster in the classroom to raise awareness.
Participate in role-playing activities where you act out different scenarios involving cyberbullying. Take turns playing the roles of the victim, the bully, and a bystander. Discuss how each person feels and brainstorm ways to handle the situation positively.
Imagine you are the teenager from the video who experienced cyberbullying. Write a journal entry describing your feelings and thoughts about the incident. Reflect on whether you would report the incident and why, considering the potential outcomes.
In small groups, discuss the real-life case studies provided in the lesson. Consider the perspectives of the victim, the bully, and their families. Share your group’s insights with the class and suggest strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Work in pairs to develop a cyberbullying prevention plan for your school. Include steps for students to take if they witness or experience cyberbullying. Present your plan to the class and discuss how it can be implemented to create a safer online environment.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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The essential question of our day is: when does inappropriate online behavior cross the line into cyberbullying, and what can you do about it? My name is Amy Withers, and I teach at Amista Dual Language School in Manhattan. Sometimes we joke with each other, and that’s fine. Today’s lesson is about cyberbullying, focusing on when teasing online crosses the line to become something more serious.
There are different forms of cyberbullying, and we will discuss them today. Harassment, for example, involves pressuring someone or sending negative messages repeatedly through digital media. In this lesson, we will explore the various forms of cyberbullying.
The students will engage in discussions about a video featuring a teenager involved in a cyberbullying incident. In the video, her friend misinterprets a comment about her boyfriend, leading to conflict. The teenager shares her experience of being harassed online and her mother’s advice to report the incident to the school. However, she feels that reporting it might make things worse.
After watching the video, we will discuss whether reporting the incident would indeed make it worse. Students will share their thoughts at their tables, considering different perspectives. Some believe that reporting could escalate the situation, while others think it might help resolve the issue.
The emotional impact of cyberbullying is significant, and students will reflect on how they would feel in similar situations. This curriculum is essential because it highlights the importance of understanding both the positive and negative aspects of online interactions.
Next, we will look at two case studies involving different incidents of cyberbullying. Students will read about the experiences of a boy and a girl in separate situations and consider all perspectives involved, including the bully, the victim, and their families.
As we discuss these case studies, students will be encouraged to back up their opinions with evidence. For example, one student might mention that a candidate for class president faced negative comments online, which could influence others’ voting decisions.
Finally, each group will share one key point from their discussions. The importance of honesty and integrity in online interactions will be emphasized, as well as the serious consequences of cyberbullying. This lesson is critical for helping students recognize when online behavior crosses the line and what actions they can take in such situations.
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This version maintains the core content while removing any informal language and sensitive details.
Cyberbullying – The use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. – Many schools have programs to help students understand the effects of cyberbullying and how to prevent it.
Harassment – Unwanted behavior that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive to someone, often repeated over time. – The school has strict policies against harassment to ensure a safe environment for all students.
Online – Connected to or available through the internet. – Students are encouraged to use online resources responsibly for their research projects.
Impact – The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action on another. – The impact of community service on students can be seen in their increased empathy and understanding of social issues.
Honesty – The quality of being truthful and free from deceit. – Honesty is an important value that helps build trust in relationships and communities.
Integrity – The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. – Demonstrating integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Victim – A person who has been harmed or affected by a crime, accident, or other event. – It is important to support the victim of bullying by listening and offering help.
Bully – A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker. – Schools have programs to educate students about the negative effects of being a bully and how to promote kindness instead.
Report – To give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated. – Students are encouraged to report any incidents of bullying to a trusted adult.
Perspectives – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. – Learning about different cultures helps students gain new perspectives and appreciate diversity.
