Safer internet Sessions (status of mind, the digital life of teenagers and cyberbullying) #SID

Learning situation: Internet safety and cyberbullying are two key elements we should teach in class in order to equip our students with the knowledge, awareness and skills they need to use the internet safely and responsibly, and to empower them to be active and engaged digital citizens. These tasks can help our students learn about safer use of the internet and cyberbullying.

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT:

To help students understand the potential risks of using the internet, including cyberbullying, identity theft, and online predators.
To teach students how to protect their personal information online, including passwords, addresses, and phone numbers.
To encourage students to think critically about online content and evaluate the reliability and credibility of sources.
To teach students how to navigate social media safely and responsibly, including how to manage privacy settings and how to report inappropriate behaviour.
To help students understand the impact of cyberbullying on individuals and communities, and to teach them how to prevent and respond to cyberbullying incidents.
To empower students to be responsible digital citizens, who use the internet ethically, respectfully, and in a way that contributes to positive online communities.
To provide students with practical skills and strategies for staying safe online, including how to recognise and report suspicious or unsafe behaviour.

WARMING-UP

The students were asked about online safety and how much time they spent on their mobile phones. This discussion was aimed at giving them an idea of what they know and what they need to learn and about how their mental health can be affected by an excessive use that could lead to addiction.

FIRST SESSION: Status of Mind

For this activity we used some good resources which include BBC learning English teens, Common Sense Media's online safety quiz and Google's Be Internet Awesome quiz.

SECOND SESSION: The digital life of a teenager

THIRD SESSION: The Cyberbully (the film)

Bullying in schools is not a new phenomenon. Many students, unfortunately, have been involved in bullying as either a recipient, a bully, or as a bystander. In the next two sessions the focus will be on cyber-bullying: cyber-assaults, libel, misappropriation of likeness, difamation, invasion of privacy., false accusations, name-calling, non-factual high-speed rumors, and personal attacks.

FORTH SESSION: Working on the film

Some food for thought: discussion questions

In the movie "The Cyberbully," how Casey’s experience with cyberbullying affects her mental and emotional well-being?
Which consequences of cyberbullying are portrayed in the movie?
How does technology contribute to the issue of cyberbullying, and what are some possible solutions to reduce its negative impact?
Do you think that by “giving a taste of her own medicine” was the right way to solve the problem of cyberbullying?
How does the anonymity of the hacker contribute to the problem?
In the film, how does Casey’s perception of herself change as a result of the cyberbullying?
How does the movie explore the psychological motivations behind cyberbullying? Are there any factors that contribute to the behavior of cyberbullies?
At the very end of the movie, when the hacker is about to reveal its identity, Casey switches off the computer. What do you think Casey meant by turning off the computer before letting the hacker reveal its identity?
Do you think that Casey’s father's actions were effective in dealing with the situation? Why or why not?
Is Casey a bully or a victim, or both? Justify your answer.

FOLLOW UP

The students will be provided with real-life examples of cyberbullying incidents they will analyse the situation. Students can discuss why the behaviour is considered cyberbullying, the impact on the victim, and what could have been done differently to prevent it.

FINAL OUTPUT OF THE PROJECT

Activity: Slogan Writing Against Bullying, Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, and Digital Wellbeing

Objective: To raise awareness about bullying, cyberbullying, internet safety, and digital wellbeing, and to encourage students to express their ideas through creative and impactful slogans.

Rationale: Slogans and posters have a real power in delivering concise and memorable messages.

BRAiNSTORMING:

We will be discussing the importance of creating a safe and positive environment, both offline and online. Then we will revise what bullying, cyberbullying, internet safety, and digital wellbeing mean and their impact on individuals.

In small groups the students will generate ideas related to each topic (cyberbullying, internet safety, and digital wellbeing). The students must also think about the emotions they associate with these issues and the positive messages they can convey.

YOUR POSTER: Slogan Writing

The Students will need to choose one or more topics and create their own slogans against cyberbullying, internet safety, and digital wellbeing.

They must be creative, concise, and impactful with their slogans.

4. Designing the Slogans:

FRIENDLY Reminder: The visual aspects should support and strengthen the slogans' impact without distracting from the main message.

Samples

CARLA SÁNCHEZ-MORA MERINO