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Lesson

Online Disinhibition and Cyberbullying

How does online disinhibition sometimes lead to cyberbullying?

Grade

11

Time

45 mins.
See quicker lesson

Texting and chatting online can sometimes feel just like talking to someone in person, but it's actually pretty different. It's all because of something called the "online disinhibition effect," which makes us more likely to share or communicate differently from how we would in person. Help your students learn to consider this concept before they post, and stop digital drama and cyberbullying before they start.

Objectives:
  • Define "online disinhibition" and describe how it can be both positive and negative.

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

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

Vocabulary Show definitions
cyberbullying · online disinhibition effect

cyberbullying – using digital devices, sites, and apps to intimidate, harm, and upset someone
online disinhibition effect – when people behave differently online than they would in real life
STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Lesson video
Is the Internet Making You Meaner?
Student Video
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Topics 1

STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Sign in or join to unlock this free lesson.

Key Standards Supported

Common Core ELA

L.11-12.1, L.11-12.3, L.11-12.4, L.11-12.6, SL.11-12.1, SL.11-12.1a, SL.11-12.1b, SL.11-12.1c, SL.11-12.1d, SL.11-12.2, SL.11-12.4, SL.11-12.6, W.11-12.10, W.11-12.4, WHST.11-12.10, WHST.11-12.4

ISTE

1d, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3d, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d

CASEL

1a, 3a, 3b, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5f

AASL

I.A.2, II.A.1, III.A.1, III.A.2, IV.A.1, IV.A.2, IV.A.3, V.A.1, V.A.2, V.A.3, VI.A.1, VI.A.2, II.B.1, II.B.2, III.B.1, III.B.2, IV.B.1, IV.B.2, IV.B.4, II.C.1, II.C.2, III.C.2, I.D.1, I.D.2, I.D.3, I.D.4, II.D.1, II.D.2, II.D.3, III.D.1, VI.D.1, VI.D.2, II.B.3

Lesson Plan

45 mins.

Consider: Ganging Up Online

15 mins.

Explore: What Is Online Disinhibition?

20 mins.

Reflect: Countering Cyberbullying

10 mins.
Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: August 2019

What You'll Need

Supplies

Blank paper

In Class

  • Lesson Slides
  • Video: Is the Internet Making You Meaner?
  • What Is Online Disinhibition?
    Handout
    Teacher Version
  • Lesson Quiz

For Families

  • Family Activity
  • Family Tips
    English Spanish More languages
    Open
  • Family Engagement Resources
Select a resource, then open in English or Spanish.
Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: August 2019

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