October 2: Defusing the Drama (Cyberbullying)

The scenarios in this module reflect three key aspects of cyberbullying:

Decision points during the module

9:08 a.m. Issue: Spreading rumours

- Josie receives a text message that her friend Cindy has a crush on Brian.
- Decision: How can Josie handle this news without embarrassing Cindy?

Spread rumours answer key

Double-check by texting to Sofia first. BEST ANSWER: (2/2 points)

Tell just one person by texting Jo. PASSABLE ANSWER: (1/2 points)

Spread the good news by posting on Cindy’s wall. POOR ANSWER: (0/2 points)

11:10 a.m. Issue: Witnessing bullying in video-sharing sites

- Jo sees that his friend Jay has posted an embarrassing video of their friend Ben with a funny comment underneath. Other people have also joined in with nasty comments.
- Decision: How can Jo help Ben without making things worse?

Witnessing bullying answer key

Post a funny comment. POOR ANSWER: (0/2 points)

Flag the video to report it to the site and text BEN to support him.

BEST ANSWER: (2/2 points) Post a comment telling Jay to take the video down. PASSABLE ANSWER: (1/2 points)

2:26 p.m. Issue: Dealing with embarrassing photos

- Jo is working on his school’s yearbook and comes across an old photo of his principal with a really funny 80’s haircut.
- Decision: How can Jo share this photo without getting in trouble?

Embarrassing photos answer key

Post it right away on the school’s yearbook page. POOR ANSWER: (0/1 points)

Send it to his friends for a laugh, but not put it in the yearbook. POOR ANSWER: (0/1 points)

Email Principal Simpkin to make sure he finds it funny too. BEST ANSWER: (1/1 points)

3:18 p.m. Issue: Witnessing bullying – online forum

- Jo logs into his basketball team’s chat group and sees some of his friends ganging up on Matt, who missed the final shot that lost their last game. Some of the comments are getting really personal.
- Decision: How can Jo intervene without becoming a target himself?

Witness bullying answer key

Stand up to it by posting to the group. PASSABLE ANSWER: (1/2 points)

Sign out before anyone knows he’s there. POOR ANSWER: (0/2 points)

Send Matt a private message of support. BEST ANSWER: (2/2 points)

7:08 p.m. Issue: Target of bullying – improving social norms

- Josie leads a team in an online game that Jo also belongs to. Someone from the other team starts to insult Jo.
- Decision: How can Josie respond without getting herself in trouble?

Target of bullying

Tell her team to mute and ignore Blue Leader. BEST ANSWER: (2/2 points)

Tell Blue Leader that she won’t let anyone insult Jo that way. POOR ANSWER: (0/2 points)

Tell her team to trash-talk Blue Leader right back. POOR ANSWER: (0/2 points)