Introduction to Cyberbullying — Avatars and Identity

Overview

Because of the ways that digital media leave out many of the cues that prompt us to feel empathy, it is easy for young people to sometimes forget that real people – with real feelings – are at the heart of online conversations. In this lesson, students are provided with opportunities to explore this concept and discuss the importance of using empathy and common sense when talking to others online.

NB Curricular Connections

Personal Wellness

Strand: Relationships, Big Idea: Bullying and Conflict, Skill Descriptor: Identify and analyze the various types of bullying and appropriate response strategies.

What You’ll Need

• “Introduction to Cyberbullying: Avatars and Identity” PDF kit – Introduction to Cyberbullying: Avatars and Identity – Lesson | MediaSmarts
• Handout What to Do if Someone is Mean to You Online for each student.
• Mask templates printed and cut for students.
• Art supplies for students to decorate their masks!

Instructions

1. Read “The Cyberbullying Backgrounder”  from the PDF kit
2. Start by handing out the mask cutouts and ask students to decorate them with the art supplies you provide in any way they want.
3. Tell students you are going to play a drama game. Students will take turns to go to the front of the class: each student will be given a word which they must give as the answer to any question – without smiling or laughing. The rest of the class (with prompting from the teacher if necessary) then asks that student any questions the want in hopes of making him or her smile or laugh. (Questions have to be very funny – examples of words and questions can be found in the PDF Kit)
4. After two or three students have had a turn, pause the game and ask those students how it felt to try not to laugh or smile. Then ask the rest of the class how they knew when someone was about to laugh or smile. Discussion questions are found in the PDF Kit.
5. Now, give one of the students participating one of the mask cutouts that you have for the next activity and repeat the game. As students the same questions. Notice how answers change.
6. Then, ask students to write the word on the board instead of saying them out loud. Ask the class how this new dynamic changed the game.

Online Avatars

1. Write “AVATARS” on the board.
2. Ask students:
   • Does anyone know the meaning of this word?
   • Do any of you use avatars when you are communicating online?
   • Do we have avatars in other online environments too?
3. Read the quote from the PDF file.
4. Have a discussion with students on online interactions and how feelings can be hurt unintentionally online.

Managing Online Conflict

1. Have students work in groups to think of ways to make up for the fact that we often can’t see or hear people when we interact with them online.
2. Write the two guiding questions on the board: How do I keep from hurting people’s feelings?
   and What do I do if someone hurts my feelings?
3. Make sure that all of the tips from the “Avoiding Online Conflict” section of the Cyberbullying Backgrounder are mentioned.
4. Distribute the handout What to Do if Someone is Mean to You Online and go through it
   with the class.
5. Download the resource package for more complete instructions and assessment guidelines.

Reflection Activity

Please see the attached PDF for several choices on how you and your learners can reflect upon today’s activity.

Global Competencies

• Collaboration: English
• Communication: English
• Critical thinking and Problem-solving: English
• Self Awareness and Self-management: English
• Sustainability and Global Citizenship: English