Age: 13 years and above
Download: Let’s Be Safe Online
Duration: 20 minutes
Information: Bakteen
What is this lesson about?
The internet allows us to learn, talk with friends, play games, and create things. At the same time, we need to think about how we spend our time and how we treat other people online. In this lesson, we will talk about ways to reduce the amount of time we spend looking at our phones or other screens, asking for permission before sharing photos and messages, stopping when someone says “no,” and seeking help if we experience harassment.
Learning Objectives
- Learn strategies that can be used to reduce screen time.
- Understand that pressuring someone to send nude photos and sharing such photos without permission are forms of abuse.
- Learn the importance of questioning hate speech and harmful expressions online.
- Understand that help is available when experiencing abuse or harassment.
Let’s Prepare Before the Lesson
Before the class, read the Bakteens article, watch the video, and complete the quiz. Select approximately one minute from the video to show the students. If internet access is unavailable, print the relevant sections of the article.
Remind students that they do not have to show or share their phones, chats, or personal experiences with the class.
Materials needed: Bakteens article, a screen to show the video (if available), a board, and pens.
Key words: Screen time, privacy, boundaries, permission, block, report.
For Teachers
When discussing how to behave safely online, the manosphere has become an important topic in recent times. The term “manosphere” currently refers to online communities that discuss masculinity, men’s experiences, dreams, and expectations. These include chat groups, podcasts, blogs, and social media profiles. Recent news reports have highlighted that some such groups discuss degrading women and ways in which violence can be committed against them.
For example, in 2024, at a school in Australia, a group of male students created a list rating the appearance of female students. They also discussed sexual violence.
This information is provided for adults’ awareness. If it is shared with students, present it in an age-appropriate manner.
1. Let’s Start a Conversation – 2 minutes
Ask the students:
“What is one good thing you like to do on the internet?”
Listen to a few responses. Then say:
“There are many good things we can do on the internet. Today, let’s look at how we can respect one another while using it.”
2. What Would We Do? – 5 minutes
Read each of the following situations one by one. Ask the students for one or two suggestions for each situation.
You want to post a photo of a friend in the class group chat.
Ask:
“What should you do before posting it?”
Remind them:
Ask your friend for permission. Just because someone agreed to have their photo taken does not mean that they have agreed to have it shared with everyone.
Someone says: “If you love me, send me a nude photo.”
Ask:
“What do you think about this request?”
Remind them:
You do not have to send a photo to prove your love. You can say, “I’m not comfortable with that.” That response should be respected.
A nude photo of a girl is shared in a group chat. Others ask you to forward it.
Ask:
“How can you make a good decision in this situation?”
Remind them:
Do not send it to anyone else. Do not make fun of or blame the girl. Seek help from a trusted adult. Even if the photo was created using AI, it can still cause harm to the person involved.
A video says: “If you are a boy, you should check your girlfriend’s phone.”
Ask:
“Does this idea respect the other person’s privacy?”
Remind them:
Loving someone does not give you the right to check their phone or read their messages.
Write the students’ ideas on the board:
- Ask for permission.
- Stop when someone says “no.”
- Do not share without permission.
- Do not join in harassment.
3. Let’s Reduce Screen Time – 3 minutes
Ask the students:
“When we spend time looking at our phones, we may miss time for sleeping, playing, or doing other activities. What can we do to reduce this?”
Listen to their suggestions. If necessary, add the following ideas:
- Decide in advance when you will stop watching videos or playing games.
- Turn off unnecessary notifications.
- Put your phone aside when getting ready for bed.
- Choose something you enjoy doing without a screen — listen to music, draw, play, or talk with a friend.
Finally, ask:
“What is one small change you can try this week?”
Let’s Read the Bakteens Article – 3 minutes
Show the article on a screen or as a printed copy. Select short ideas from the following sections:
- Respecting other people’s privacy.
- Seeking help if you receive threats involving private photos.
- Supporting a friend who has experienced harassment.
- Reducing screen use.
Then ask:
“Which of the ideas we wrote on the board are also included in the article?”
Briefly remind students:
If someone is threatening you, do not send additional photos or money. Talk to a trusted adult and seek help.
4. Now Let’s Watch the Video – 2 minutes
Show the approximately one-minute section of the video selected beforehand.
Before watching, tell the students:
“Identify one good decision we can make when using the internet.”
After the video, ask for two responses. If you cannot show the video, read another short section from the article and ask the same question.
5. Now Let’s Do the Quiz – 3 minutes
Select two questions from the article’s quiz about responding to harassment and protecting accounts, and complete them together as a class.
After each question, ask:
“Why did you choose that answer?”
Briefly discuss seeking help, blocking an account, and reporting harassment. Explain that there may be more than one correct response to a question.
6. Final Message – 2 minutes
Ask the students:
“What is one thing you can do to respect another person online?”
Listen to a few responses and conclude with:
“Let’s learn, have fun, and stay connected with our friends online. At the same time, let’s ask for permission. When someone says ‘no,’ let’s stop. Let’s not share other people’s photos or messages without permission. Let’s also make time for sleep and other activities. If we experience harassment, we don’t have to deal with it alone — let’s ask for help.”
A Small Reminder for Teachers
There is no need to make this a long lesson where the article is simply read aloud. Encourage students to share their ideas and give them opportunities to practise making decisions.
When talking about screen use, avoid fear-based statements such as “Looking at your phone will destroy your brain.” Instead, help students think about whether they have enough time for sleep, schoolwork, and other activities.
Let’s Create a Safe Classroom
- Agree at the beginning that nobody will make fun of anyone else.
- Allow a student to skip a question if they do not want to answer a personal question.
- Do not blame someone who has experienced harassment. Tell them, “You can get help.”
- If a student asks for help regarding a nude photo, do not ask them to send the photo to your phone. Do not ask them to discuss it in front of the class.
- Listen calmly and provide support according to the school’s child safeguarding procedures. If necessary, contact the Child Helpline in 1929.
This resource has been developed based on the Age-Appropriate Sexuality Education, Communication Guideline for Sri Lanka.
Key Concept 6: Skills for Sexual Well-Being
Read more: UNFPA — Age-Appropriate Sexuality Education, Communication Guideline for Sri Lanka
