Cyberbullying
District 219 Internet Safety Lesson
Description
This lesson is designed to increase student awareness of the concept that cyberbulling is real and has negative consequences, not only for the victim but for the offender as well. It addresses cyberbullying situations, the consequences of cyberbullying, and strategies to handle cyberbullying situations. The primary objective of this lesson is to equip students with knowledge that will enable them to identify behavior indicative of cyberbullying and make responsible choices regarding how to avoid becoming a cyberbully and how to properly deal with a cyberbully.
This lesson is comprised of two key elements:
The video delivered via District 219's Flash Video Server.
Optional directed discussions at the conclusion of each video for the students facilitated by the instructor.
Learning Objectives
The objectives of this lesson enable students to:
Identify key general attributes of the concept of cyber bullying.
Identify and understand consequences of cyber bullying.
Develop a strategy to properly deal with cyber bullying related situations.
Lesson Procedures
Introductory discussion (optional)
Introduce the topic: Inform the students they will be learning about cyber bullying and about the consequences of such behavior for both the victim and the perpetrator.
Question 1 – Ask students what they know about cyber bullying.
Question 2 – Ask students when the right to free speech interferes with another's right to privacy /personal safety.
Key Vocabulary:
Cyber bully – One who is cruel to others by sending or postng harmful materials sending or posting harmful material or engaging in other forms of social aggression using the Internet or other digital technologies.
Flaming - Online fights using electronic messages with angry and vulgar language.
Harassment - Repeatedly sending nasty, mean, and insulting messages.
Denigration - “Dissing” someone online. Sending or posting gossip or rumors about a person to damage his or her reputation or friendships.
Impersonation - Pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material to get that person in trouble or danger or to damage that person’s reputation or friendships.
Outing - Sharing someone’s secrets or embarrassing information or images online.
Trickery - Talking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information, then sharing it online.
Exclusion - Intentionally and cruelly excluding someone from an online group.
Play video: Cyberbullying
(http://d219tv.niles-hs.k12.il.us/2010/10/15/cyber-bullying/)
Synopsis of Video
The video first addresses the concepts of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is defined and described, as are associated behaviors and how to constructively address cyberbullies and situations. The video continues with an account of cyberbullying provided through iSafe America.
Extended Discussion (optional)
Question 1: Ask students to describe various strategies to properly address cyberbullying from both the perspective of a victim and a witness.
Question 2: Who should they contact if they experience or witness a cyberbully?
Question 3: Ask students what steps they may take to minimize their exposure to cyberbullies.
Resources