Scenario #1

Casey loves playing video games on his computer, especially those that allow you to link up with your friends and compete against them through the Internet. Casey has always been gaming partners with his friend Boris. Together, they are almost unbeatable whenever they compete as a team against other teams online. But one day, Casey tells Boris he has found a better gaming partner and he doesn't want to play as Boris' partner anymore. Boris is outraged that he has been "dumped" as a gaming partner for someone else and he begins to tell other people on the gaming network that Casey "sucks" at all video games and that no one should ever be his partner unless they want to lose really badly. Soon after these statements are posted online, Casey's new gaming partner dumps him and no one on the network wants to be his partner. Casey feels completely hopeless and alone.

With your group discuss the following questions:
What should Casey do about his situation?
Whom should he tell and what should they do?
Can this example really be called a case of cyberbullying?

Please share your answers by posting a comment below.

Scenario #2

For the tenth day in a row, Andrew opens an e-mail that says, “I’m getting closer.” He doesn’t recognize the sender’s address. He wonders if someone at school is trying to scare him. On the other hand, it could be a stranger. Whatever the source, Andrew is scared. The next afternoon, Andrew is home alone. The e-mails come every few minutes. “I’m hiding in your house using a wireless Internet connection. You’ll never find me. But I’ll find you.” Frozen with fear, Andrew can’t think what to do.

With your group please answer the following questions:
If Andrew called you for advice, what would you tell him?
Should Andrew call the police?
What can Andrew do to ensure his safety now and in the future?

Please share your answers by posting a comment below.

Scenario #3

Lindsay has just moved to town from Oregon. Bonnie, one of the 5th grade girls in her new class is jealous of Lindsay because she is very pretty, outgoing, and funny. Bonnie starts to worry that Lindsay might steal away her group of friends, so she decides to create a "We Hate Lindsay" Web site. She tells all her friends about the site and encourages the girls to post reasons why they hate Lindsay on the site and why they think she should move back to Oregon. Soon, the entire 5th grade becomes aware of the site's Web address, and many others begin to post hurtful messages about Lindsay. Desperately wanting to make friends in a new town, Lindsay is crushed and no longer wants to go to school.

With your group please discuss the following questions:
If you were Lindsay's mom or dad, what would you do?
What might the school do to help Lindsay?
If you were her best friend, what might you say or do to help?

Please share your answers by posting a comment below.

Scenario #4

A mother is walking by her son while he is on the computer and notices that he keeps hiding the screen when she walks by. Upon further observation, the mother sees that her son is making fun of someone else via instant messaging.

With your group discuss the following questions:
What should the mother do first?
Does the mother need to contact the parents of the other child?
Should her son be allowed to use the computer?

Please share your answers by posting a comment below.

Scenario #5

Two female fifth graders are exchanging malicious text messages back and forth because of a misunderstanding involving a boy. The statements are more than just name-calling and are including threats.

With your group discuss the following questions:
Should the police be contacted?
Are both girls wrong?
What should the girls do in this instance?
What would you do as a parent if you discovered this problem?


Please share your answers by posting a comment below.