Classroom Resources to Teach About CyberBullying
Media Awareness Network Offers Themed Lessons About Online Safety
Mar 29, 2009
Cyberbullying is a growing trend around the globe. It can take the form of online harassment, teasing, or publishing pictures and other media that cause emotional harm to someone. It can also happen through the cell phone, as when a person receives threatening text messages or phone calls.
Many young people, when confronted with a cyberbully, try to handle it on their own. They may fear punishment by an adult or retaliation by the bully. It also causes them to feel that they are not safe anywhere, because it can happen at any time, in any place where a cell phone or Internet connection are available.
Communication About Cyberbullying
Communication between adults and children is the best way to raise awareness of the problem and to discuss ways to combat the bullies. Just as when a real world bully is confronted, he or she will often back down, a cyberbully, once identified, can be forced to stop.
Teachers are in a unique position to teach about online safety. Although anyone may be attacked by a cyberbully, it happens more frequently to children. Teachers can introduce the topic in class, and offer supportive lessons to help the students learn how to deal with the problem.
Cyberbully Themed Lesson Plans
The Media Awareness Network of Canada has provided a themed unit for students in grades 5 – 12 surrounding the issues of online safety. Designed to be used in classrooms, the unit also provides handouts and visuals for parents to use to continue the discussions at home.
Beginning with a mask-making activity that mimics online avatars, students explore how extra online layers of identity can make it difficult to know someone online. Through role playing activities, stories, and critical discussions, students learn about the issues of uncertainty, harassment, and ethics.
The lessons progress through different scenarios, such as bullying in a chat room and flaming in a forum. The students discuss ways to stop the behaviors and define their own rules for online activities.
The last parts of the lessons guide students to understanding ethical behavior and civic responsibility. They learn that ethics apply online and in the real world, whether they are identifiable or anonymous. Group activities involving anonymous posters develop the students’ awareness of people’s rights and responsibilities and how to defend them.
Free Printable and Electronic Resources on Cyberbullying
The Media Awareness Network site offers free activities, printable resources, and discussion questions for parents. For teachers it has professional development offerings as well as an extensive database of lessons. Lessons may be accessed by anyone through the website.
The Media Awareness Network aims to provide high quality education about media issues to parents, educators, and young people. It has the backing of the Canadian Teachers Federation, the Canadian Library Association, the Canadian Government, and the Girl Guides of Canada.
The Media Awareness Network has a bank of reliable and research-based lessons and resources online. Through utilizing the lessons provided, young people and adults can become more savvy and aware of safe online practices.
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