Lesson video

Hello, my name is Ms. Wroth.

Today we're going to be looking at the lesson called Being responsible for a safer online community.

This fits into the lesson unit Our online lives: How do I report and find support for things that I see online?

Now, in this lesson, we're going to be talking about things that might make you feel worried or uncomfortable, so it is recommended that you have a trusted adult with you before you continue watching.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain my role in promoting online safety and supporting others in reporting harmful content.

Let's begin by taking a look at our ground rules together.

Laura says we should listen to others.

"It is okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, challenge the statement and not the person.

" Jacob says, "No judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

" Andeep says we should respect privacy.

"We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

" And Izzy says, "Choose your level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join in discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot.

" All of these ground rules are here to keep everyone safe throughout the lesson.

Here are today's keywords.

We have advocate and bystander.

An advocate is a person who speaks up to protect others, and a bystander means someone who witnesses something.

Let's see if we can spot these keywords throughout today's lesson.

Here is the lesson's outline, and we're going to begin with, How can I help make online space is safer?

Being safe online isn't just about what we avoid.

It's also about what we do.

If we all act positively and report harmful or inappropriate content, we can help create a safer digital community.

That means being advocates.

We should think about how we post, how we comment, and how we support others online.

Everything we do online leaves a digital footprint; like footprints in the sand, but these ones can last forever!

Your digital footprint includes: posts and comments you make, photos and videos you share or upload, messages you send to others, and the content that you like or share.

Think of your digital footprint as your online reputation.

Future friends, teachers, and even employers might see what you have shared online.

Creating a positive digital footprint means sharing content that shows your best qualities, being kind and respectful in all of your interactions.

Thinking to yourself, "Would I be proud if my family or my trusted adults saw this?

" before posting.

And remembering that screenshots of content and comments can be taken and shared.

Your digital footprint is like a story about who you are online, so make sure it's a story that you would be happy for anyone to read.

Helping make digital spaces safer and having a positive digital footprint doesn't require huge effort.

Remember, simple actions matter, such as think before posting or commenting, do not forward harmful messages, videos, or memes, report inappropriate or upsetting content, and use privacy settings to protect yourself and others.

These actions make us advocates in online spaces, regardless of our age.

Time for a check for understanding.

Which of these actions help make the internet safer?

Is it A, ignoring harmful content; B, reporting a bullying comment; or C, sharing a rude meme?

Hmm.

Which of these actions help make the internet safer?

Pause this video so you can have some thinking time.

Well done if you said B.

Reporting of bullying comments can make the internet safer.

Online harm can spread quickly, especially when people stay silent.

Bystanders might think, "Hmm, it's not really my problem.

" But remember, if one person acts, others may follow.

Being aware, choosing not to join in, and acting respectfully helps stop harmful content from spreading.

Time for a check for understanding True or false?

You need to be an adult to help keep online spaces safe.

Hmm.

Is this statement true or false?

Pause this video so you can have some thinking time.

Well done if you said false.

This statement is false because anyone, regardless of age, can be an advocate and help keep online spaces safe by reporting harmful content, supporting others, and choosing to act respectfully online.

The internet can sometimes feel negative, but you have the power to make it more positive.

Here are some ways that you could build up others online.

You can do this by leaving encouraging comments on friends' posts.

Share positive content that makes people smile.

Celebrate others' achievements and successes.

Be an advocate and stand up for people when they're being treated unfairly, and you can do this by reporting harmful content.

And use your words to include others, not exclude them.

Remember, kindness is contagious online.

When you post something positive, it often inspired others to do the same.

Sophia sees another person being bullied in one of her group chats.

Sophia thinks to herself, "Should I say something?

I would like to try and be an advocate.

" Here is Sophia being an advocate.

She sees something harmful, for example, the person being bullied in her group chat.

She decides not to forward harmful messages or memes, unlike the others in her group chat.

And she reports the harmful messages and she supports the victim.

Sophia notices that a classmate posted a picture of his artwork online, but received only mean comments.

She says to herself, "Should I say something?

I would like to try to be an advocate.

" So this is what she decides to do.

She sees something harmful, such as the mean comments.

She leaves a positive comment about what she likes in the artwork and encourages other classmates to do the same.

And she reports the mean comments and sends a kind message to the classmate.

This is another example of Sophia being an advocate.

Time for a check for understanding.

Choose the correct words to complete each sentence.

Reporting and supporting others make digital spaces safer or more dangerous.

Having a positive digital footprint does or doesn't require huge effort.

And when being responsible for safer online communities, it is important to be a bystander or an advocate.

Choose the correct words to complete each sentence.

Pause this video so you can have some thinking time.

Well done for having a go.

So you should have chosen the word safer for the first sentence.

Reporting and supporting others makes digital spaces safer.

For the second sentence you should have chosen doesn't.

Having a positive digital footprint doesn't require huge effort.

And for the third sentence, you should have chosen advocate.

When being responsible for safer online communities, it is important to be an advocate.

Well done if you've got those correct.

Okay, time for a task now.

Here are two scenarios that we're going to read together.

The first scenario says, Jack is in a group chat.

Someone shares an unkind joke about a religion.

Others laugh.

Jack feels uncomfortable.

The second scenario says, Sophia sees a video mocking someone's body.

The comments are full of laughing emojis.

For each scenario, answer these questions.

A, what could the person do to act as an advocate?

And B, how might their actions make others feel safer?

Pause this video so you can have some time to do the task, and then we will go through the answers together.

Well done for having a go.

Your answers for Jack's scenario might include, for the first question, it says, what could the person do to act as an advocate?

Jack could speak up in the moment by saying that the joke is hurtful and inappropriate, even if others are laughing.

Jack could also report the joke and speak to a trusted adult.

For the second question, it says, how might their actions make others feel safer?

And your answer could include, Jack's willingness to speak out, even when it's uncomfortable, shows other pupils that they have allies and will encourage others to be advocates too.

This creates an environment where pupils from all religious backgrounds feel more confident that someone will support them if they face similar treatment.

Well done if your answer was similar to mine.

For Sophia's scenario, your answers could look like this.

So the first question, it says, what could the person do to act as an advocate?

Sophia could report the video to the online platform and inform a trusted adult at school about what she has seen.

She could also speak kindly to the person when she sees them next to help them feel included and appreciated.

And for the second question, it says, how might their actions make others feel safer?

And you could have said, Sophia's actions show others that this behaviour isn't acceptable and it encourages them not to be bystanders.

By actively supporting the victim both online and in person, she shows other pupils that they don't have to face bullying alone.

Well done if your answers were similar to mine.

We're now going to move on to the second and the final part of our lesson, What actions can I take to support others?

A bystander is someone who sees harm but does nothing.

They're not causing the problem, but they're not helping to stop it either.

How might being a bystander makes someone feel?

Have a little think to yourself.

It might make them feel powerless, disappointed, and guilty.

Understanding why people sometimes don't act can help us make better choices ourselves.

Common reasons people become bystanders include: they think to themselves, "Well, I'm not involved, so it's not my business," and they think it doesn't affect them.

They might be worried or fear making things worse.

They might be worried that the situation might escalate.

They might not know what to do.

They want to help, but they don't know how.

They might be following the crowd.

If others aren't acting, they don't either, and they might think that somebody else will help, assuming that another person will step in.

However, taking any positive action, no matter how small, is better than doing nothing.

On the other hand, an advocate is someone who takes action.

They support the people being harmed, report what's happening, or speak to an adult who can help.

How might being an advocate make someone feel?

Have a little think to yourself.

It might make them feel confident, proud, or empowered.

You might think, "I'm just one person, what difference can I make?

" But small advocate actions can create powerful ripple effects.

When you act as an advocate, the person being harmed feels less alone.

They know that someone cares.

Others see you as an example.

Your actions can inspire friends to speak up too.

Bullies realise their behaviour has consequences and they're less likely to continue.

And online spaces can become more positive.

Kind behaviour spreads just like harmful behaviour.

Time for a check for understanding.

Match the speech bubble to whether a bystander or an advocate would say this.

"It's not my business, I'm not reporting that.

" And, "My small actions can create powerful ripple effects.

" Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, so for the first sentence, it should be matched up to bystander.

And for the second statement, it should be matched up to advocate.

Example of Jack as an advocate.

Jack is in a gaming group chat where a new player is being picked on.

Messages like "You're useless" and "Why are you even here?

" start to appear.

Jack feels awkward.

He doesn't know the player well, but he knows that this is unfair.

Jack decides to report the messages to the app, sends the new player a friendly private message, and reminds others in the chat that they should keep messages respectful.

Okay, time for another check for understanding.

Highlight the actions Sophia takes to show she is an advocate.

Sophia sees a photo of a classmate where people have commented mean things about their appearance.

Some comments are jokes, but Sophia knows it's gone too far.

She doesn't laugh.

She reports the comments on the platform, sends a kind message to the classmate affected, and speaks to her form tutor privately about it the next day.

I would like you to highlight the actions Sophia takes to show that she is an advocate.

Pause this video so you can have some time to think about your answer.

Okay, so you should have highlighted these sentences and phrases to show that she's being an advocate.

So she doesn't laugh when other people are making mean comments about their appearance and she reports the comments on the platform.

She sends a kind message to the classmate affected and she speaks to her form tutor privately about it.

All of these actions show that Sophia is an advocate.

Sometimes the most important support happens face-to-face.

If someone you know is being targeted online, here's how you can help in person.

Let them know you've seen what's happening.

Say something kind or just sit with them at break or lunchtime.

Offer to help them report it or speak to a teacher together.

And remind them they're not alone.

Here are some examples of what you could say to others to support them.

"I saw those comments.

Do you want to talk?

" "That wasn't okay what happened online yesterday.

Are you alright?

Have you told a trusted adult?

" And, "You don't have to deal with this alone.

I'm here if you need support.

" Being an effective advocate is a skill that you can develop.

Here are ways to build your confidence.

First, start small.

Practise kind commenting on friends' posts, learn how to use report buttons on different apps, and think of supportive phrases you could use in difficult situations.

Then know your options.

If you're online you can report, screenshot evidence, and send private supportive messages.

In person, you can check in with someone, offer to go with them to get help from trusted adults, or sit with them at lunch or break.

And when you're getting help, know which trusted adults at home or school that you can talk to.

And practise scenarios in your head.

Think to yourself, "What would I do if I saw someone being excluded from a group chat?

" "How would I support a friend who received mean comments on their photo?

" And, "What would I say to a friend who seems upset about something online?

" Remember, every advocate started as someone who decided to care and act.

Time for a check for understanding.

True or false?

It's not my responsibility to make the internet safer; someone else will do it for me.

Hmm.

Is this statement true or false?

Pause this video so you can have some thinking time.

Well done if you said false.

This statement is false because online safety is a shared responsibility for all internet users.

We should all be advocates to make online spaces supportive and safe.

Okay, time for a task now.

Read the scenario and answer the following questions.

The scenario says, Sophia has been getting unkind messages in a group chat.

You weren't involved, but you've seen the messages and Sophia seems really quiet and withdrawn at school.

So the questions I'd like you to answer are, what could you do online or in person to support them?

And why is it important to act even if you weren't part of the group chat?

Pause this video so you can have some time to do the task, and then we will go through the answers together.

Well done for having a go.

So with the first question, it says, what could you do online or in person to support them?

And you might have said, I could report the messages in the app and message Sophia privately to let her know that I support her.

At school, I could talk to her, sit with her at break, or offer to go with her to speak to a teacher if she hasn't already spoken to a trusted adult.

And the second question says, why is it important to act even if you weren't part of the group chat?

And you might have said, it's important to act because doing nothing allows the harm to continue.

If I wasn't part of the chat, I can help Sophia feel less alone and show that what has happened wasn't acceptable.

This will also encourage others to be advocates instead of bystanders.

Well done if your answers were similar to mine.

This brings us to the end of our lesson.

So here is a summary of everything that we've covered today.

A bystander is someone who sees harm happening online but doesn't take action.

An advocate is someone who helps others by reporting harmful content, offering support, or speaking to a trusted adult.

You don't have to be the person being targeted to make a difference.

We can all work together to make online spaces safe and supportive.

Small advocate actions, like kind comments, reports, or checking in with someone, can help people feel safe and valued.

You have the power to make the online world a safer and more respectful place.

Here's a slide with different places that you can get support.

We have the Childline, which is a website and phone line which is able to offer confidential advice and support.

We have the CEOP.

The CEOP helps protect children from online abuse and exploitation.

And Internet Matters.

Internet Matters teaches children and parents how to stay safe and happy online while using the internet.