1. Lesson 3: Cyberbullying

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

3. 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.

4. Some methods of Cyberbullying:
Sending insulting and/or threatening s, texts or instant messages directly to Alicia’s computer, cell phone, and other e-communication devices
Hateful comments about someone through s, 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 Web site targeting specific people

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. Ways to Handle Cyberbullying: If it is cyberbullying, report it.
If comfortable doing so, reach out to the person and offer friendship and support.
If you do not know the bully, DO NOT engage with them.
If your friends are involved, make an in-person plea for them to stop.
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.

11. Reporting Cyberbullying: Authority Figures:
If it is really serious or really having an impact on that person, report it to an authority figure.
Discussion tips:
Have students think about 1 authority figure they would feel safe talking to about cyberbullying.
Authority Figures:
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

12. 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.

13. Consequences of Cyberbullying:
State Law:
Federal Law:
Criminal convictions can include fines and jail time
No federal laws specifically for cyberbullying
In some cases, cyberbullying overlaps with discriminatory harassment
Civil convictions include restitution – compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused
Discussion tips:
Discuss laws in your state.
Give local examples, if possible.
Briefly discuss discriminatory harassment
Discriminatory harassment is handled by the federal government

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