Cyberbullying Prevention
Grade 5 · Technology · Study Guide
Learn what cyberbullying is, why it is harmful, and how to respond safely when it happens.
Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online or through digital devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers. It can occur through text messages, social media, online games, apps, and email. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen anytime — even at home — because technology is always available.
Cyberbullying includes sending mean or threatening messages, spreading rumors online, sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission, and leaving someone out of online groups on purpose. Even one hurtful post can spread quickly and reach many people, which makes cyberbullying especially damaging.
Cyberbullying can cause serious emotional harm. Victims may feel sad, anxious, embarrassed, or afraid to go to school. It can also affect a person's self-esteem and friendships. It is important to recognize that cyberbullying is never the victim's fault.
If you experience or witness cyberbullying, there are steps you can take. Do not respond to hurtful messages — responding can make things worse. Save evidence by taking screenshots. Block the person bullying you. Tell a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor. Most online platforms also have tools to report abusive behavior.
Being a good digital citizen means treating others with kindness and respect online, just as you would in person. Before posting anything, think about how it might make another person feel. Showing empathy online helps create a safer, kinder internet for everyone.
Key terms
- Cyberbullying
- Bullying that takes place online or through digital devices and technology.
- Digital citizen
- A person who uses technology and the internet responsibly and respectfully.
- Empathy
- The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
- Block
- A feature on apps and websites that prevents a specific person from contacting you.
- Screenshot
- An image saved from a screen, used to capture evidence of cyberbullying messages.
- Report
- A tool on online platforms that lets users flag harmful or abusive content to the platform's safety team.
Flashcards
- Cyberbullying
- Repeated harmful behavior toward someone using digital devices or online platforms.
- Bystander
- Someone who sees bullying happening but is not directly involved.
- Upstander
- A person who sees bullying and takes action to help the victim or report it.
- Privacy
- The right to keep personal information and images from being shared without your permission.
- Trusted adult
- A parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult you feel safe talking to about a problem.
- Digital footprint
- The trail of data and activity you leave behind whenever you use the internet.
- Report button
- A tool on social media and apps that allows users to flag harmful or inappropriate content.
- Netiquette
- Etiquette (polite behavior) for communicating on the internet and digital devices.
Questions
Which of the following is an example of cyberbullying?
- Sending a birthday message to a classmate
- Sharing an embarrassing photo of someone without their permission
- Playing an online game with friends
- Commenting a compliment on a friend's post
Show answer
Answer: Sharing an embarrassing photo of someone without their permission
Sharing an embarrassing photo without someone's permission is a form of cyberbullying because it is meant to humiliate or harm.
Cyberbullying can only happen at school.
Show answer
Answer: False
Cyberbullying can happen anywhere at any time because digital devices are used at home, on the bus, and everywhere else.
If you are being cyberbullied, you should save ________ of the hurtful messages as evidence.
Show answer
Answer: screenshots
Screenshots preserve evidence of cyberbullying, which can be shared with a trusted adult or used in a formal report.
What is the best first step if you receive a mean message online?
- Reply with an equally mean message
- Post about it publicly so everyone knows
- Do not respond and tell a trusted adult
- Ignore it and delete your account
Show answer
Answer: Do not respond and tell a trusted adult
Replying can escalate the situation. The safest approach is to not respond, save evidence, and tell a trusted adult.
Being a good digital citizen means treating people online with the same kindness you would show in person.
Show answer
Answer: True
Good digital citizenship means applying the same respectful behavior online that you would use face to face.
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