THEME: Relationships and Community Building
Lesson: Bullying via Text Messaging
Learning Outcomes
 Students will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of text messaging.
 Students will understand what they are able to do if they are being bullied via the cell phone.
Essential Question
 What can you do if you are being threatened via text messaging?
Level
 Grade 9
Time
 2 x 15 minutes
Materials
 Write Essential Questions on the board
Procedure
1. Ask students how many have a cell phone.
2. Ask students how many text message on a regular basis.
3. Ask what are the advantages and disadvantages of text messaging.
4. What problems can text messaging cause? Examples: cost, time it takes, lack of personal contact,
social isolation, and bullying
5. Ask if any student have ever been threatened by texting. If so, did they do anything about it?
6. Ask the class what they think they could do if it happened to them.
Explain:
Cell phones have given bullies a new way to pick on people, and it's particularly cruel as the
bullies can get in touch any time they want.
If you are receiving bullying text messages (they might be threatening, nasty, swearing or
name calling) you should keep a record of the time and date of the messages and save them.
The same goes for any examples of bullying using picture messaging or mobile e-mail. You
don't have to put up with people taking pictures of you with their mobile phone without
your permission. Remember, the photo can end up anywhere on the internet, and you don't
know who will see it.
If the messages contain direct threats, you should ask an adult to file a report with the Police.
Mobile phone networks operate an anti-abuse service. If your case is serious, they will often
change your mobile number FREE OF CHARGE.
Evaluation
 Choose an appropriate Rubric from Assessment and Evaluation.
Extending
 Discuss the use of using the cell phone to take your picture and what problems that could cause.
Closing
 Being bullied can isolate, but there's no need to suffer in silence.