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Ganging Up Online
Ganging Up Online
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is using digital devices, sites, and apps to intimidate, harm, and upset someone.
Reflect on...
Reflect on...
What is your reaction to this story? What stood out to you?
What is your reaction to this story? What stood out to you?
Why do you think the targeting occurred?
Did you watch this with someone, did you have different opinions?
How did it impact Millie Bobby Brown?
The news anchors made a point to emphasize that Millie is only 14. Why do you think they did that? Would this be not as big a deal if she were older?
The news anchors made a point to emphasize that Millie is only 14. Why do you think they did that? Would this be not as big a deal if she were older?
Because she is just 14, she is more likely to be affected by attacks on her character and looks.
Do you think the people who posted these mean messages would say them to her in person? Do people act differently when they're online?
Do you think the people who posted these mean messages would say them to her in person? Do people act differently when they're online?
Do you have specific examples of people posting and sharing things online differently than they would in real life?
It's true that people sometimes act differently -- or even meaner -- when they're posting or sharing something online. And there's a reason why. We're going to watch another short video, which will go into some of those reasons.
It's true that people sometimes act differently -- or even meaner -- when they're posting or sharing something online. And there's a reason why. We're going to watch another short video, which will go into some of those reasons.
Activity
Activity
What is Online Disinhibition
What is Online Disinhibition
Complete part 1. (Make a copy of google doc to fill in sections)
Directions:
Directions:
Complete part 1 by watching the KQED Above the Noise video below and taking notes on the worksheet.
What is the "online disinhibition effect"?
What are the two different types of online disinhibition? How are they different?
What are three causes of online disinhibition?
Example responses from the video questions:
Example responses from the video questions:
What is the "online disinhibition effect"?
What is the "online disinhibition effect"?
The online disinhibition effect is when people behave differently online than they would in real life. (1:31)
What are the two different types of online disinhibition? How are they different?
What are the two different types of online disinhibition? How are they different?
“Toxic disinhibition” is when you have a tendency to act meaner than you would in real life. You might say things that are more hostile or hurtful then you would in person. "Benign disinhibition" is when people open up and share more than they normally would. This can help them connect to others and create a more positive online experience (2:12)
What are three causes of online disinhibition?
What are three causes of online disinhibition?
One cause is anonymity. When people don't know who we really are, we're less worried about real-life consequences for our words and actions. It also makes us more likely to open up about personal challenges we're facing. (2:50)
The second cause is lag time. Because things we post might not be seen right away, we have the option of posting and then not sticking around for the fallout. It also allows us to have more think time and respond more thoughtfully. (3:19)
The last cause is lack of nonverbal cues. When you can't see body language and facial expressions, it's harder to know how your words are impacting someone. You might be saying something hurtful and keep going because there was no signal that it was having that effect. (3:47)
Online Disinhibition Effect
Online Disinhibition Effect
Online disinhibition effect as when people behave differently online than they would in real life.
So in general, based on the video and your own experiences, what do you think? Is online disinhibition a good thing or a bad thing?
So in general, based on the video and your own experiences, what do you think? Is online disinhibition a good thing or a bad thing?
Find the balance
Find the balance
Complete Part 2 of the What is Online Disinhibition worksheet by yourself or with a partner.
Example One:
Example One:
A group of people target a celebrity online with hurtful comments and stories all using the same hashtag.
A group of people target a celebrity online with hurtful comments and stories all using the same hashtag.
How might anonymity, lag time, or lack of nonverbal cues be affecting this situation?
In this situation, anonymity is probably a big factor. The people in the group wouldn't want to be identified in real life. People wouldn't want to be their friends, and it could affect their job or school status.
What could be done to counter online disinhibition in this situation?
If anyone recognized the usernames of the people in the group, they could identify who they are in real life. They could also stand with the celebrity by posting positive comments in response.
Example Two:
Example Two:
A teenager posts pictures from his vacation, and people from his school post mean comments making fun of what he's doing and how he looks.
A teenager posts pictures from his vacation, and people from his school post mean comments making fun of what he's doing and how he looks.
How might anonymity, lag time, or lack of nonverbal cues be affecting this situation?
Lag time and lack of nonverbal cues are probably factors here. His classmates might change their comments if they knew he was reading them right then or if they could see his facial expressions and body language as he read them.
What could be done to counter online disinhibition in this situation?
One of his friends could stand with him by posting positive comments on the pictures. The teenager could also talk to mean commenters in person and tell them how it affected him.
As we see, there are many reasons for feeling disinhibition online. And there are many different outcomes -- both positive and negative -- that can result from us feeling this effect.
As we see, there are many reasons for feeling disinhibition online. And there are many different outcomes -- both positive and negative -- that can result from us feeling this effect.
Lesson Quiz
Lesson Quiz
Family Tips
Family Tips
Digital Citizenship Family Activity:
Digital Citizenship Family Activity:
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