Grades 3-5

My “Kind” of Internet

Facilitate a discussion about being an "upstander" and creating a kinder, more welcoming online community.

Activity Partner
Total time estimate:
15-20 minutes
Activity Objectives
  • Students will engage in a conversation about digital citizenship and positive ways to interact with others online
  • Then, students will learn about how to be an online "upstander", who speaks up and intervenes when someone is being bullied or treated unkindly


This activity supports the development of the following
social-emotional skills: self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, and self-management.

Discuss

Engage students in a conversation about digital citizenship. You might ask:

  • What are some ways that you communicate with others online? (e.g., through messaging apps, social media, video / computer games, etc.)
  • What are some benefits of being able to communicate and interact with others online?
  • Do you think there are any downsides or challenges? Have you ever experienced any of these yourself, or seen them happening?
  • Imagine being part of a healthy, positive online community. What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel like?
  • As a digital citizen, or a person who uses technology to engage with others, how should we act in order to create this healthy, positive online community? What skills should we practice?
Learn

Use the Kahoot! game or slideshow below to help students learn about being an online “upstander”, who creates a kinder, more welcoming online community. These resources describe different examples of cyberbullying, and suggest actions that students can take in order to speak up and intervene when someone is being bullied or treated unkindly online.

As you facilitate these lessons, ensure that students are not using “blaming language”, and mentioning specific classmates or people. Instead, redirect them to address the underlying behaviors and actions. For example, instead of saying “Bob is a cyberbully because he posts embarrassing photos of other people”, redirect students to say, “When I see embarrassing photos of others being posted online, I think they might feel sad or upset, so we should be more careful and considerate of each other.”

Reflect

Guide students through a post-activity reflection by asking the following questions:

  • Did our conversation help you learn something new, or consider a different perspective?
  • How can you practice kindness and respect when interacting with others online? Are there specific skills that can help you? 
  • Sometimes, it can be difficult to speak up and intervene when we see others being treated unkindly. What are some ways that you can ask for help, and support others in doing the right thing?

This activity was developed in partnership with Connected Nation.

Did you finish this activity? We'd love your input.