Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

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You can access the entire Common Sense Media digital citizenship curriculum here.

2nd Grade

Putting a STOP to Online Meanness

The internet is filled with all kinds of interesting people, but sometimes, some of them can be mean to each other. With this role play, help your students understand why it's often easier to be mean online than in person, and how to deal with online meanness when they see it.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what online meanness can look like and how it can make people feel

  • Identify ways to respond to mean words online, using S-T-O-P


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3rd Grade

The Power of Words

As kids grow, they'll naturally start to communicate more online. But some of what they see could make them feel hurt, sad, angry, or even fearful. Help your students build empathy for others and learn strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand that it's important to think about the words we use, because everyone interprets things differently.

  • Identify ways to respond to mean words online, using S-T-O-P.

  • Decide what kinds of statements are OK to say online and which are not.


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4th Grade

Be a Super Digital Citizen

Online tools are empowering for kids, and they also come with big responsibilities. But do kids always know what to do when they encounter cyberbullying? Show your students appropriate ways to take action and resolve conflicts, from being upstanders to helping others in need.

Learning Objectives:

  • Reflect on the characteristics that make someone an upstanding digital citizen.

  • Recognize what cyberbullying is.

  • Show ways to be an upstander by creating a digital citizenship superhero comic strip.


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5th Grade

Is it Cyberbullying

Let's face it: Some online spaces can be full of negative, rude, or downright mean behavior. But what counts as cyberbullying? Help your students learn what is -- and what isn't -- cyberbullying, and give them the tools they'll need to combat the problem.

  • Recognize similarities and differences between in-person bullying, cyberbullying, and being mean.

  • Empathize with the targets of cyberbullying.

  • Identify strategies for dealing with cyberbullying and ways they can be an upstander for those being bullied.


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6th Grade

Digital Drama Unplugged

Miscommunication is a common occurrence online and on social media. Plus, being behind a screen makes it easier to say things they wouldn't say in person. So how do we help students avoid the pitfalls of digital drama? Help them learn tips on avoiding online drama in the first place and de-escalating drama when it happens.

Learning Objectives:

  • Reflect on how easily drama can escalate online.

  • Identify de-escalation strategies when dealing with digital drama.

  • Reflect on how digital drama can affect not only oneself but also those around us.

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7th Grade

Upstanders and Allies: Taking Action Against Cyberbullying

When cyberbullying happens, everyone involved brings their own perspective to the situation. Help students learn about the importance of empathy, how to consider others' feelings, and how to be an upstander when cyberbullying occurs

Learning Objectives:

  • Consider the different perspectives of those involved in a cyberbullying incident.

  • Identify ways to be an upstander or ally to someone being bullied.

  • Problem-solve potential challenges to responding to cyberbullying.

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8th Grade

Responding to Online Hate Speech

Students can come across all kinds of negative content online and on social media, whether it's rude, mean, or even hateful. But what should students do when they encounter hate speech online? Have students think through digital dilemmas and identify the best ways to respond.

Learning Objectives:

  • Examine and respond to a piece of artwork about the power of technology.

  • Analyze an online hate speech dilemma using the Feelings & Options steps.

  • Identify specific actions to positively affect a situation involving hate speech.

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9th Grade

What You Send in "That Moment When ..."

We've all faced thorny situations where what we say or do could potentially harm or hurt someone. Being honest is important, but is there such a thing as being too honest? Sometimes, innocent -- but insensitive -- comments or actions can easily escalate to digital drama or even cyberbullying. Help students recognize and navigate these types of situations that happen online.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify examples of online behaviors that may hurt, embarrass, or offend others.

  • Use the Feelings & Options thinking routine to analyze and respond to a digital dilemma.


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10th Grade

Countering Hate Speech Online

As humans, we thrive on social connections and group associations. But this tendency can also lead us to be suspicious of people outside our group. This fear -- xenophobia -- can be overcome by more exposure to people who are different from us. However, the internet can often make this more difficult. Help students recognize this challenge and find strategies for navigating content online.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the relationship between hate speech and xenophobia.

  • Analyze how the internet has contributed to an increase in hate speech and extremist views.

  • Describe one way to use the internet to combat one type of hate speech.


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11th Grade

Online Disinhibition and Cyberbullying

Texting and chatting online can sometimes feel just like talking to someone in person, but it's actually pretty different. It's all because of something called the "online disinhibition effect," which makes us more likely to share or communicate differently from how we would in person. Help your students learn to consider this concept before they post, and stop digital drama and cyberbullying before they start.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define "online disinhibition" and describe how it can be both positive and negative.

  • Explain how anonymity, lag time, and lack of nonverbal cues all contribute to online disinhibition.

  • Analyze how online disinhibition can cause cyberbullying and brainstorm ways to counter it.


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12th Grade

The Consequences of Online Hate Speech

While some governments can't regulate hate speech, laws allow private organizations like social media apps and private universities to decide how to deal with hate speech within their spheres. How should these organizations respond to hate speech? What is an appropriate consequence? Pose these questions for students, and help them think through the importance of both respect for others and free speech.

Learning Objectives:

  • Reflect on whether hate speech is considered free speech.

  • Identify the reasons for and against regulating online hate speech.

  • Use the Take a Stand thinking routine to consider the potential consequences of online hate speech.


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