Lesson: Cyberbullying
This is a morning programme for pupils in the 4th and 5th grades of elementary school. The lesson uses authentic comments from the Internet and tragic stories of bullied children. It is aimed at an emotional response and empathy for the victim. Profanity and racist and homophobic slurs are used in the lesson to explain their foolishness. The children learn that there are no reasons that justify bullying, and that we do not judge people by their appearance or sexual orientation, but by their actions. Finally, the children learn how to defend themselves against bullying and, if someone is already being bullied, how to put an end to it. In 2019, we conducted a small survey in the library, in which 4th and 5th graders in Litvínov answered the question "Have you ever experienced cyberbullying?" 393 children took part in the survey, and 133 children answered YES (every third child). We repeated the survey in the first half of 2023, and 128 out of 363 children answered YES. This lesson aims to mitigate the effects of cyberbullying on this age group, explain the stupidity of bullying and help those being bullied put an end to their suffering. We also speak out against racism, homophobia, pigeonholing and mocking based on appearance and social class.