Tackling Cyberbullying wellbeing lesson plan
A wellbeing lesson for Years 6 to 8 that helps Australian teachers introduce online bullying, respectful digital communication and safe help-seeking through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise what online bullying can look like, understand how it can affect the people involved, and practise safe, practical ways to respond and seek support.
Online Safety, AI & Digital Literacy
Snapshot
Tackling Cyberbullying
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce online bullying and safe digital communication using age-appropriate language and everyday school examples. Feedback: 4.2/5 from 120 teacher ratings
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Recognising online bullying and practising safe, respectful responses
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise examples of online bullying, such as exclusion, hurtful messages or sharing private information without permission
recognise how online behaviour can affect someone's feelings and wellbeing
recognise the difference between a one off unkind comment and a repeated pattern of online bullying
Understand
understand how digital footprints and online choices can affect themselves and others
understand why respectful communication matters in online spaces such as social media and messaging apps
Practise
practise identifying safe, practical responses to online bullying
practise language for speaking up safely or supporting someone affected by online bullying
practise recognising when and how to seek help from a trusted adult
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for students in Years 6 to 8 who are using, or beginning to use, social media, messaging apps and other online platforms, and who are building understanding of respectful online communication.
It is suitable for:
wellbeing or Health lessons introducing online safety
PDHPE units covering respectful relationships
pastoral care, advisory or class discussion sessions
digital literacy or online safety programs
schools introducing or revisiting online behaviour expectations
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing online safety expectations Use when students are beginning to use social media, messaging apps or online platforms and need shared language for respectful behaviour.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing respectful communication and inclusion across classroom and online interactions.
Supporting digital literacy learning Use alongside broader digital literacy or online safety teaching to focus specifically on online bullying and respectful communication.
Practising safe responses Use when students are learning how to respond to hurtful online behaviour without escalating conflict.
Building help seeking confidence Use when students need to understand when and how to ask a trusted adult for support with online concerns.
Preparing for transition Use when students are moving into new year levels or settings where independent online use may increase.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students are communicating, socialising and forming relationships online from an early age, and online bullying can happen in group chats, comments, gaming platforms and social media without teachers or parents always seeing it directly. Helping students build language and confidence around online bullying supports safer digital habits before problems escalate. It also encourages students to think critically about their own online behaviour, not only how to respond when something goes wrong. This lesson supports a school culture where respectful communication extends beyond the classroom and into online spaces, and where students understand that support is available if they experience or witness online bullying.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Digital literacy Students consider how online choices and digital footprints affect themselves and others.
Empathy Students consider how online bullying can affect someone's feelings, even when it happens through a screen.
Respectful communication Students practise language for responding safely without escalating conflict.
Help seeking Students learn when and how to ask a trusted adult for support with online concerns.
Critical thinking Students consider the difference between conflict, one off unkindness and repeated online bullying.
Protective behaviours Students recognise that unsafe or upsetting online situations should be shared with a trusted adult.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share personal stories about other people
Frame discussion around scenarios and examples rather than personal accusations
Make clear the lesson is about building safe digital habits, not assigning blame
Identify trusted adults students can speak to at school about online concerns
During delivery
Use general examples such as group chat exclusion, hurtful comments or unwanted sharing of information
Give students time to discuss and practise safe response language
Reinforce that students do not need to respond alone or retaliate online
Allow students to respond through discussion, writing or scenario based activities depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking for help with online concerns is a responsible choice
Explain that unsafe or upsetting online behaviour should be shared with a trusted adult
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe
Adaptation options
Use small group discussion for confident classes and individual reflection for quieter students
Spend more time on identifying trusted adults if students need support with help seeking pathways
Adjust examples to reflect the platforms and apps most relevant to your cohort
