A teenage girl who killed herself after months of online bullying has put the spotlight on the dark side of the internet. Here are some resources to help you explore cyberbullying in class
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| Bullies can get in touch with their victims at all times thanks to social media sites. Photograph: Alamy |
One in five children have been victims of cyberbullying on social media sites during the last year, research by the NSPCC has found
Earlier this month Hannah Smith, 14, of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, killed herself after she had been taunted and told to "drink bleach" on the question-and-answer forum ask.fm.
The Latvia-based website has promised to introduce a bullying/harassment button and to investigate any reports of abusive behaviour within 24 hours. But critics say far more needs to be done to protect children online.
To help you tackle the topic in class, we've pulled together the best news stories, teaching resources on internet safety and informative websites. You'll find tips on staying safe, documentaries on the impact of bullying and a Who Wants to be a Millionaire-style game to encourage students to discuss the subject.
From the Guardian
What can a decade of global data on bullying tell us? Infograhics break down the figures into gender and region, and the impact of social media is discussed in the post.
CyberMentors, run by the charity BeatBullying, is a website where young people can talk to their peers about bullying, with professional counsellors ready to step in if needed. The article looks at how it works and speaks to some of the mentors.
The social networking site offers five pieces of advice on how people can prevent cyberbullying.
Around half of Ask.fm's 60 million users are under 18. The article looks in detail at how comments on the social networking site have turned nasty.
A thoughtful comment piece on the rise of cyberbullying, which considers what schools can do to help.
On the Guardian Teacher Network
With activities for primary and secondary pupils, the lesson helps young people identify cyberbullying and its consequences. It also suggests ways people can behave positively in cyberspace.
Slides to help key stage 2 pupils spot cyberbullying using a series of cartoon characters. It also covers cyber-safety.
Primary and secondary
PowerPoint presentations explaining cyberbullying and how it makes people feel. Information on where young people can find support is given.
Young people talk about their experiences of being bullied and its consequences in a series of film clips.
A good way to begin a lesson on bullying, this PowerPoint presentation encourages pupils to think about the impact of bullying with a series of questions in the style of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Best of the web
The award winning film produced by Childnet and the Department for Children, Schools and Families explains the emotional distress cyberbullying causes. There is also a documentary showing student responses to cyberbullying using devised drama and a lesson plan accompanies the film.
Facts and activities are included in the pack for Cyberbullying Day from charity Cybersmile.
The collection of resources includes lessons and facts sheets on the legal aspects of cyberbullying, as well as general information.
Documentaries on young peoples' experiences of cyberbullying are included in the teaching toolkits for children of all school ages. Advice is given on what pupils should do if they spot cyberbullying.
A wide collection of resources for primary and secondary pupils from the charity BeatBullying. As well as covering cyberbullying, faith and disability based bullying are looked at.
Samaritans is available around the clock every day of the year for anyone who can't cope. Their telephone number is 08457 909090, or you can email: jo@samaritans.org.
Source: The Guardian
