Cyberbullying, Forms, Ways of Dealing with It for Primary 4

Class: Primary 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Basic Digital Literacy
Curriculum Theme: Online Safety
Key competencies/values: Critical Thinking
Skills:

• identify ways of dealing with cyberbullying

Previous Lesson: Phishing, Types, Detection and Prevention
Topic: Cyberbullying
Subject Matter: Meaning/forms of cyberbullying and ways of dealing with it

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• define cyberbullying;
• state forms of cyberbullying;
• identify ways of dealing with cyberbullying.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Basic Digital Literacy for Primary Schools, Book 4
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Video clips
• Audio visual aids
• Projector
• Pictures
• Flash cards
• Chart showing examples of cyberbullying
• Chart illustrating steps to deal with cyberbullying

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it equips pupils with essential knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. Understanding cyberbullying and how to respond to it helps protect children from online harm and encourages responsible online behaviour. It fosters a sense of awareness and empowerment in dealing with negative online experiences.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of using digital devices and understand general rules of good behaviour.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Cyberbullying

Meaning of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital technology, like phones or computers, to hurt, embarrass, or scare another person. It can happen through messages, social media, games, or websites.

Forms of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can take many forms, including:

1. Hurtful Messages: Sending mean, nasty, or threatening messages to someone.
2. Repeated Online Teasing: Constantly making fun of someone or spreading rumours about them online.
3. Exclusion: Intentionally leaving someone out of online groups, games, or activities to make them feel bad.
4. Spreading Lies: Posting false information or embarrassing pictures/videos about someone.
5. Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else online to cause trouble or harm.

Ways of Dealing with Cyberbullying

If you or someone you know is being cyberbullied, here are important steps to take:

1. Do Not Respond: Do not reply to hateful messages or engage with the cyberbully. This can make the situation worse.
2. Block the Bully: Block the person who is cyberbullying you on all platforms where it is happening.
3. Save Evidence: Take screenshots of the hurtful messages, posts, or comments. This evidence can be used to report the bullying.
4. Tell a Trusted Adult: Immediately tell a parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult about what is happening. They can help you deal with the situation.
5. Report to the Platform: Most social media sites and online games have ways to report cyberbullying.
6. Protect Your Privacy: Make sure your online profiles are private and only share personal information with people you trust.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Explanation, Role-play, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them about their favourite online activities. The teacher then asks if they know that sometimes bad things can happen online and introduces the topic of cyberbullying.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions about online activities and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Online safety awareness

Step 2: Meaning of Cyberbullying

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of cyberbullying using simple language and age-appropriate scenarios (e.g., someone sending mean messages on a game chat). The teacher defines cyberbullying and gives examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, ask questions for clarification, and share their understanding of the scenarios.

Learning Point: Cyberbullying definition

Step 3: Forms of Cyberbullying

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Listing/Clarification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses various forms of cyberbullying mentioned in the content scope, such as hurtful messages, repeated online teasing, and exclusion. The teacher uses pictures or flashcards to illustrate each form.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss the different forms of cyberbullying shown by the teacher.

Learning Point: Forms of cyberbullying

Step 4: Introducing Ways of Dealing with Cyberbullying

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Instruction/Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the general ways of dealing with cyberbullying, emphasizing not to respond and to block the bully. The teacher explains why these steps are important.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and discuss why it is important not to respond to a cyberbully and how blocking can help.

Learning Point: Initial responses to bullying

Step 5: Importance of Saving Evidence

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Advice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of saving evidence (e.g., taking screenshots) when cyberbullying occurs. The teacher demonstrates how this might be done using a picture of a phone screen.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils understand the concept of saving evidence and discuss its importance.

Learning Point: Evidence collection importance

Step 6: Telling a Trusted Adult

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Encouragement/Safety Advice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher stresses the most important step: telling a trusted adult immediately (parent, teacher, guardian). The teacher explains that adults can provide support and help resolve the situation safely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify trusted adults they can talk to and understand the need to report cyberbullying.

Learning Point: Reporting to adults

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is cyberbullying?
2. Mention two forms of cyberbullying.
3. State two ways of dealing with cyberbullying.
4. Who should you tell if you are cyberbullied?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Cyberbullying knowledge

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on cyberbullying, its forms, and ways of dealing with it into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points of the lesson, reminding pupils to always be kind online and to seek help if they ever experience cyberbullying. The teacher encourages them to be safe digital citizens.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and internalize the safety message.

Learning Point: Staying safe online

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Define cyberbullying in your own words.
2. List three forms of cyberbullying you learned today.
3. Imagine a friend is being cyberbullied. What three pieces of advice would you give them?

Lesson Keywords

• Cyberbullying – Using digital technology to hurt or embarrass someone.
• Online Teasing – Making fun of someone repeatedly on the internet.
• Exclusion – Leaving someone out of online activities on purpose.
• Evidence – Proof, like screenshots of hurtful messages.
• Trusted Adult – A grown-up you can rely on for help, like a parent or teacher.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simplified definitions and more visual aids, focusing on the two most common forms of cyberbullying and the two most important ways to deal with it (don’t respond, tell an adult). Faster learners can be challenged to create short posters illustrating the forms of cyberbullying or write a short paragraph about why it’s important to be kind online.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For videos on cyberbullying for primary school children, search on YouTube for: cyberbullying for kids primary school nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure all audio-visual aids are working correctly and prepare clear, age-appropriate scenarios or pictures to illustrate cyberbullying. Begin by creating a safe and open environment for discussion, encouraging pupils to share their thoughts without fear. Follow the teaching sequence, explaining each concept clearly and checking for understanding after each step. Emphasize the practical steps of not responding, saving evidence, and especially telling a trusted adult. Guide pupils to copy the Board Summary notes during the designated note-taking step. Pay attention to pupils who might seem withdrawn or overly quiet, as they may have personal experiences with the topic. Reinforce the message of kindness and seeking help as the lesson concludes.