For this blog post, the video I chose on our topic: cyberbullying and mental health, is the video Let’s Fight It Together by Childnet. This video follows the story of a boy who is being cyber bullied and the social, emotional and academic consequences it has on our protagonist. On the more positive hand, the video also illustrates how intervention and support can change the tides on the cyberbullying narrative.

1. Inherent interaction:

While the video does not specifically ask direct question, It instead prompts internal reflection by putting themselves into the shoes of the victim, bully or bystander. This firstly can provide a new found empathy and critical thinking for those who experience cyberbullying, and secondly spark potential change in attitudes and behaviours.

2. Learner response:

Students will likely have a strong opinions and emotional responses towards this video. Individually students are most likely to make mental notes or talk amongst groups about how they and their peers act online and to share their personal experiences. Through this interactive reflection, we are enabling self-awareness and therefore creating better digital citizens.

3. Designed activity:

My proposed activity after watching this video, involves students writing a digital or hard copy journal entry to firstly describe a moment in that video that stood out or mattered and secondly the students would write an action plan about how they would respond to cyberbullying in various situations (victim, bystander or friend). This activity is important for developing social and emotional learning through student led reflection.

4. How would I improve this video?

I believe the video could be improved by making it more of an interactive viewing experience through discussion prompts. Simple questions such as “what would you do in this situation” at key points in the story would promote further engagement and learning.

5. How would I make this video more inclusive?

I’ve brainstormed the following ideas to make this video more inclusive for all:

  1. Provide subtitles and a written transcript.
  2. Allow for responses via text, video or voice.
  3. Offer more structure (including guiding questions) for those who need it.
  4. Ensure that the responses are anonymous for those who are uncomfortable.

This video is an important and powerful resource for teaching the topic of cyberbullying. Using this video as a tool can further engage and prompt students to reflect and talk about cyberbullying as a collective, and therefore create more empathetic digital citizens.