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3.2 Disinhibition and Cyberbullying

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How does online disinhibition sometimes �lead to cyberbullying?

Essential Question

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Learning Objectives

Define online disinhibition and describe how it can be both positive and negative.

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Explain how anonymity, lag time, and lack of nonverbal cues all contribute to online disinhibition.

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Analyze how online disinhibition can cause cyberbullying and brainstorm ways to counter it.

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KEY VOCABULARY

What is Cyberbullying?

Using digital devices, sites, and apps to intimidate, �harm, and upset someone.

Have you been affected by cyberbullying?

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WATCH + DISCUSS

Discuss:

• What is your reaction to this story?
• Why might people target someone online like this?

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1. What is your reaction to this story? What stood out to you?
1. The news anchors made a point to emphasize that Millie is only 14.
2. Why do you think they did that?
2. Would this be not as big a deal if she were older?
• Do you think the people who posted these mean messages would say them to her in person?
3. Do people act differently when they're online?

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Share out - What specific examples do you know of people posting and sharing things online differently than they would in real life.

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WATCH + DISCUSS

To watch this video on KQED Learn and to continue the discussion, click here.

Take Notes on the Student Handout

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KEY VOCABULARY

Online disinhibition effect

When people behave differently online than they would in real life.

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Why Does this happen?

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ACTIVITY: COUNTERING CYBERBULLYING

Although online disinhibition can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, it can often cause people to make hostile or mean comments. These comments can cause toxic drama and can even lead to cyberbullying. To counter this effect, we can pause before we post and think about how online disinhibition -- anonymity, lag time, and lack of nonverbal cues -- might be impacting our ideas and words. Complete the table to analyze how online disinhibition might be countered.

Part 2 Directions

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