Cyberbullying: Prevention and Response

Online Safety & Wellness Intermediate 2 weeks 8 lessons 8 modules

Welcome to Cyberbullying: Prevention and Response. Nobody deserves to be treated cruelly, whether in person or online. In this course, you will learn exactly what cyberbullying looks like, how it affects people, and most importantly, what you can do about it — whether it is happening to you, someone you know, or even if you have been part of the problem yourself. Together we will build the skills to stand up for kindness and make the online world a safer, happier place for everyone.

Who is this for: Kids and teens learning to handle and prevent cyberbullying

What You'll Learn

Clearly define cyberbullying and distinguish it from normal online disagreements
Identify different forms of online cruelty including exclusion, spreading rumors, and impersonation
Understand the deep emotional and psychological impact cyberbullying has on those targeted
Know the specific steps to take when you or someone you know is being cyberbullied
Understand how to save evidence and report cyberbullying to adults and platforms
Feel empowered to be an upstander who speaks up against online cruelty
Recognize the reasons behind why people cyberbully to build empathy and prevention skills
Commit to creating a kinder online environment through daily actions

Course Modules (8)

Module 1: What Is Cyberbullying? (13 minutes)

Learn what cyberbullying really means, how it is different from a one-time argument or disagreement, and why it is such a serious problem that affects millions of kids and teens around the world.

Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly uses technology to hurt, embarrass, or scare another person on purpose
It is different from a regular argument because it happens again and again and the person being bullied feels powerless to stop it
About one in three young people worldwide have experienced cyberbullying at some point
Cyberbullying can happen through texts, social media, gaming platforms, email, or any digital tool

Module 2: Different Forms of Online Cruelty (14 minutes)

Explore the many different ways cyberbullying can look, from mean messages and exclusion to spreading rumors and impersonation, so you can recognize it in all its forms.

Mean messages and name-calling through texts, comments, or direct messages are the most common forms
Spreading rumors or sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission is a form of cyberbullying
Deliberately leaving someone out of online groups or group chats to hurt them is called social exclusion
Creating fake accounts to pretend to be someone or tricking someone into sharing secrets to use against them are especially harmful forms

Module 3: How Cyberbullying Feels (13 minutes)

Understand the real emotional impact of cyberbullying on the people it targets, including how it can affect mood, sleep, school performance, and the desire to go online at all.

Cyberbullying can make people feel sad, anxious, angry, embarrassed, lonely, and afraid all at the same time
Unlike in-person bullying, cyberbullying can follow you home because your phone and devices are always nearby
Kids who are cyberbullied may have trouble sleeping, lose interest in activities they used to love, and struggle at school
The emotional pain from cyberbullying is just as real as physical pain — brain studies have actually shown this

Module 4: What to Do If You're Being Bullied (14 minutes)

Learn a clear, step-by-step action plan for what to do if you are being cyberbullied, including who to talk to, how to protect yourself, and why it is never your fault.

Do not respond to the bully — responding often makes them continue because they want a reaction
Save or screenshot the hurtful messages as evidence before blocking the person
Block the bully on every platform where they are contacting you so they cannot reach you
Tell a trusted adult immediately — this is the most important step and you should never feel ashamed about it

Module 5: Saving Evidence and Reporting (13 minutes)

Learn the practical skills of saving evidence of cyberbullying and reporting it to the right people, including parents, teachers, school officials, and the platforms where it is happening.

Screenshots are your best friend — they capture exactly what was said, when, and by whom
Save evidence before you block someone because you might not be able to access the messages afterward
Most social media platforms, games, and apps have a built-in report button specifically for bullying
If cyberbullying includes threats of physical harm, it should be reported to the police as well

Module 6: Being an Upstander (13 minutes)

Discover the difference between a bystander who watches and an upstander who acts, and learn safe and effective ways to support someone who is being cyberbullied.

A bystander watches bullying happen without doing anything — an upstander takes action to help
You do not have to confront the bully directly — sending a kind private message to the victim is a powerful way to help
Refusing to share, like, or laugh at mean posts takes away the bully's audience and their power
Reporting cyberbullying when you see it happening to someone else is one of the bravest things you can do

Module 7: Why People Cyberbully (14 minutes)

Explore the reasons behind why some people become cyberbullies — not to excuse their behavior, but to better understand and prevent it from happening in the first place.

Many cyberbullies are dealing with their own pain, anger, or problems at home or school
The distance of a screen makes it easier to say hurtful things because you cannot see the other person's reaction
Some people cyberbully because they want to feel powerful or popular, or because of peer pressure
Understanding why people bully does not make it okay — but it can help us prevent it and have empathy

Module 8: Creating a Kinder Online World (12 minutes)

Commit to being part of the solution by learning daily habits that spread kindness online, creating a positive digital environment wherever you go.

One kind comment can completely change someone's day — your words have more power than you think
Complimenting others, defending those who are targeted, and including people who are left out are all powerful daily actions
Taking a pause before posting and asking 'Is this kind? Is this true? Is this necessary?' can prevent a lot of harm
You have the power to be a leader who sets the tone for kindness in your online communities

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