1 – Cyberbullying

🎯 Learning Objectives

Develop the Information Technology learning strand:

  • Define cyberbullying and recognise examples of it
  • Identify which actions cross the line between ‘banter’ and cyberbullying
  • Find help and know who to speak to if you’re worried about something online
  • Be able to give advice about how to prevent or stop cyberbullying
  • Understand how using the term ‘gay’ can be offensive to others and what the school anti-bullying policy says about it
💬 Key Vocabulary

  • cyberbullying
  • bystander
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT+)
  • school anti-bullying policies
  • hate crimes
  • gender stereotyping

📝 Starter Activity – What is Cyberbullying?

In pairs, write a definition of cyberbullying in a Word document.

Then discuss and write answers to each of the following questions:

  • How is cyberbullying different to physical bullying? Is it worse?
  • Can you name some adjectives that would describe someone who is being cyberbullied?
  • Why would someone be cyberbullied?
  • What would be the consequences for you, others involved, your family or your friends if the school found out you had been cyberbullying another student?
  • Can you give examples of cyberbullying?

📝 Activity 1 – Gone too far

Watch the video below and then answer the questions below it by yourself.

  1. Is this film realistic? Could a similar situation happen in this school?
  2. The title of this toolkit is ‘Crossing the Line.’ In this film, where do you think the line was crossed?
  3. Why do you think Jason was bullied? Why do you think anyone is bullied?
  4. How did Jason respond to the cyberbullying? What could he have done differently? What did he do well?
  5. Could Jason have done something to stop the bullying? If yes, what could he have done?
  6. What advice would you give to someone if they are being cyberbullied?

The Bystander Effect

  1. In this film we see Jason being cyberbullied. How many people bullied Jason? Are those who laughed along at the memes also involved in cyberbullying Jason?
  2. Leah stands up to Charlie and tells him to stop. However, there are many others in the film who see what is happening to Jason but say nothing to help him. They are called bystanders. Who were the bystanders in this film? Why do you think they remained quiet?

Homophobic language and bullying

  1. Charlie says the word ‘gay’ a lot. He calls Jason a ‘gay-mer’ and he insinuates that Jason and Ben are boyfriends. Why does he call Jason gay? What does he mean by it?
  2. Charlie also speaks about Jason’s ‘gay shoes’. If you use the word ‘gay’ to mean something bad or rubbish, what impact might it have on others, especially those who might be questioning their sexuality? What does the word ‘gay’ actually mean?
  3. What can you do next time you overhear someone say the word ‘gay’ to mean rubbish or uncool?

Gender stereotypes

  1. Can you think of any reasons for why Jenna might use a male avatar? Do you think the internet is a welcoming place for girls?
  2. Do you think girls have a harder time online? Why is this?

📝 Activity 2 – What happens next?

  • In groups of 3 read the worksheet by clicking the button below, each chose a role.
  • Task: Imagining you are the characters from the film, write out a rough guide of a conversation that might take place between these characters.
  • If you have time, role-play the scenario.

📝 Activity 3 – Moral thermometer: where is the line?

You will need to vote ‘CYBERBULLYING’ or ‘JUST A JOKE.’ You need to decide if the social media posts you are about to see cross the line from being a joke to cyberbullying.

The context won’t always be clear, so imagine you are just coming across these posts online and you don’t know the people involved.

Go to quizizz.com and enter the code your teacher will give you.

📝 Plenary

📖 Signposting

Learn how to report and block offensive users and messages on different apps:

  • Snapchat: www.snapchat.com/safety
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/safety/tools
  • Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/285881641526716
  • Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/articles/20169998


For more help
Childline: Call 0800 11 11 or chat with a counsellor online – For anonymous support and advice on dealing with cyberbullying and other issues – www.childline.org.uk
The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign: A charity that helps people get involved to tackle all forms of bullying – www.antibullyingpro.com
True vision: If you receive hateful messages or a crime has been committed against you because of your race, sexuality or disability, this could be considered a hate crime. This is illegal and can be reported to the police through True Vision – www.report-it.org.uk
YoungMinds: This website has lots of information for young people about their wellbeing and mental health, and also has information for teachers and parents – www.youngminds.org.uk

Contact the police if the messages you receive pose a threat to your personal safety. Remember a death threat online is illegal.

In this lesson, you…

  • Looked at cyberbullying and how to spot and stop it.
  • Identified which actions cross the line between ‘banter’ and cyberbullying
  • Know how to find help and who to speak to if you’re worried about something online
  • Understood how using the term ‘gay’ can be offensive to others

Next lesson, you will…

  • Understand the issues and law around sending images of yourself and others on the internet.

🏅 Badge it

🥈 Silver Badge

  • Complete the Starter Activity – What is Cyberbullying? and upload the Word document to www.bournetolearn.com.
🥇 Gold Badge

🥉 Platinum Badge