New
New
Year 9

Trolls and harassment

I can describe the harm that online trolls and online harassment can cause and explain ways to manage this.

New
New
Year 9

Trolls and harassment

I can describe the harm that online trolls and online harassment can cause and explain ways to manage this.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Online trolls are people who deliberately harass or abuse others online in order to cause harm.
  2. Trolls often use hateful and discriminatory language.
  3. Repeated online harassment is illegal and hate speech should be reported to the police.
  4. Online abuse, harassment and trolling can have serious consequences, both for the victim and perpetrator.

Keywords

  • Online troll - someone who deliberately says mean or upsetting things on the internet to get a reaction or cause trouble

  • Harass - to repeatedly annoy, bully or disturb someone in a way that makes them feel unsafe, uncomfortable or upset

  • Abuse - to hurt, mistreat or control another person on purpose, either physically, emotionally, or verbally, causing harm or pain

  • Discrimination - when people are treated unfairly or differently because of things like their race, gender or beliefs

  • Hate speech - illegal language used to insult or attack others based on things like their race, gender or beliefs

Common misconception

Online abuse doesn't have real life consequences.

Online abuse is serious and can have a range of consequences on mental and physical health.


To help you plan your year 9 rshe (pshe) lesson on: Trolls and harassment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson discusses themes which might be upsetting for some pupils. We suggest you speak to your RSHE lead or DSL before teaching this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
You can only gamble in an online casino if you are over...
16
Correct answer: 18
21
Q2.
True or false? Loot boxes or player packs can be bought in online games but are not legally considered gambling in the UK.
Correct Answer: true, correct, T, yes
Q3.
Match the words to the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:gamble,to bet money with the hope of winning more

to bet money with the hope of winning more

Correct Answer:debt,money owed to someone else

money owed to someone else

Correct Answer:addiction,a loss of control over doing, taking or using something

a loss of control over doing, taking or using something

Correct Answer:illegal,when something is against the law

when something is against the law

Q4.
True or false? Scratch cards are not considered gambling.
Correct Answer: false, incorrect, not true, F
Q5.
Why do people gamble?
Correct answer: because it is exciting
for a guaranteed way to make money
Correct answer: it is a form of entertainment
Correct answer: peer influence
Correct answer: they are addicted to online gambling
Q6.
Which of the following are potential consequences of an online gambling addiction?
Correct answer: taking on debt
Correct answer: lying to people
Correct answer: becoming anxious or depressed
improved relationships with friends and family

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms to the definitions.
Correct Answer:harass,to repeatedly annoy, bully or disturb someone

to repeatedly annoy, bully or disturb someone

Correct Answer:abuse,to hurt, mistreat or control another person on purpose

to hurt, mistreat or control another person on purpose

Correct Answer:online troll,someone who deliberately says mean or upsetting things on the internet

someone who deliberately says mean or upsetting things on the internet

Correct Answer:discrimination,when people are treated unfairly or differently

when people are treated unfairly or differently

Q2.
The best way to manage online trolling is to…
Correct answer: report their comments
write the same comments in return
join in the argument
Correct answer: block the user
Q3.
Complete the sentence: Hate speech is a and can be reported to the police.
Correct Answer: crime
Q4.
Online trolling is extremely harmful and has real life consequences. These can include:
Correct answer: anxiety
Correct answer: sleep disruption
Correct answer: humiliation
banter
Correct answer: low self-esteem
Q5.
An example of online trolling could be:
Correct answer: mocking or sarcastic comments
Correct answer: discrediting someone
Correct answer: provoking an argument
Correct answer: being insulting
'banter' with a friend
Q6.
Consequences for online trolls can include:
Correct answer: being temporarily suspended from an online platform
Correct answer: being permanently banned from an online platform
Correct answer: damage to reputation at school or work
Correct answer: investigation by the police
having their internet removed