Lesson 4: Cyberbullying

Objectives: Define cyberbullying Determine how to handle cyberbullying as a student Identify school, state, and federal policies and penalties for cyberbullying

Cyberbullying - the use of Information Technology to harm or harass other people in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. Discussion tips: Have students share how they define before revealing the definition.

Some methods of Cyberbullying: Sending insulting and/or threatening emails, texts or instant messages directly to a computer, cell phone, and other devices Hateful comments about someone through emails, blogs, online profiles, or chat rooms Discussion tips: Have students share some of the methods of cyberbullying they have seen, implemented or experienced. Stealing passwords and sending out threatening messages using a false identity Building a website targeting specific people

Ways to Handle Cyberbullying: If it is cyberbullying, report it. If you do not know the bully, DO NOT engage with them. If comfortable doing so, reach out to the person and offer friendship and support. Discussion tips: Ask students why they think these are good ways to handle cyberbullying. Have students share other ways they have handled cyberbullying and discuss. If your friends are involved, make an in-person plea for them to stop.

Reporting Cyberbullying: If it is really serious or really having an impact on that person, report it to an authority figure. Authority Figures: Discussion tips: Have students think about 1 authority figure they would feel safe talking to about cyberbullying. If there’s concern about others finding out who reported it, ask for the report to be kept confidential. Teachers School Staff Campus Police Other Law Enforcement

Free speech does not give someone the right to bully or harass someone else. School Consequences: Up to and including expulsion Discussion tips: Discuss with students why cyberbullying is not covered by free speech. Talk about your school’s policy on cyberbullying and the consequences.

Consequences of Cyberbullying: State Law: Criminal convictions can include fines and jail time Discussion tips: Discuss laws in your state. Give local examples, if possible. Briefly discuss discriminatory harassment

Not liking someone’s status/post on social media Discussion tips: Have students discuss why each example is or is not cyberbullying. Would this classify as cyberbullying?

Repeatedly making negative comments on someone’s posts Discussion tips: Have students discuss why each example is or is not cyberbullying. Would this classify as cyberbullying?

Circulating mean/hateful emails about a person Discussion tips: Have students discuss why each example is or is not cyberbullying. Would this classify as cyberbullying?

Making a joke on your friends social media status/post Discussion tips: Have students discuss why each example is or is not cyberbullying. Would this classify as cyberbullying?

Purposely “catfishing” someone to get their personal information Discussion tips: Have students discuss why each example is or is not cyberbullying. Would this classify as cyberbullying?

Review: What are some methods of cyberbullying? If your friends are involved in cyberbullying, you should: ask them to stop. join in the fun. ignore it and hope it goes away. What are some methods of cyberbullying? If someone is being bullied, you should __________ it. In severe cases of cyberbullying, students that are involved can get ______from school. Discussion tips: Ask students why they think these are good ways to handle cyberbullying. Have students share other ways they have handled cyberbullying and discuss.