Topic:

Trolling
EQ: How is trolling different
from cyberbullying?
SLIDESMANIA
 Activity 1
QUICKWRITE (2 MINUTES) – you have 2
minutes on the clock to write down as much
as you can to the following questions below.

When was the last time that you saw a mean

comment on a website or on a social media post?
Why do you think someone would leave a
comment like that? How did it make you feel
reading it?
SLIDESMANIA
 Class Discussion (Quickwrite)
Share some examples of mean or negative comments you’ve seen recently

Why do you think people leave comments like that?

How does it make you feel when you read those type of comments.
SLIDESMANIA

Does it ever change your perception of the original post?

 Activity 2 – Above the Noise
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLggqoPEfJU

Step 1) Click the link above to view the video as a class

Step 2) Answer the questions below as a group after.

Question 1) What was the most interesting part about the

“Above the Noise” video?

Question 2) Did the research presented at the end of the video

surprise you? Based on that, do they think trolling comments
should be allowed online?

Question 3) Have you noticed if the ability to comment has

SLIDESMANIA

been removed from any of the websites you regularly visit. If

so, discuss if it’s changed how they view the website. If not,
would it change how you interact with the content on the
 Activity 3 – Cyberbullying vs Trolling
1. Type in the links on your device and read the following 2 articles ‘What is cyberbullying?’ and ‘
How to spot a troll’.

https://au.reachout.com/articles/what-is-cyberbullying
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-spot-a-troll

2. Using these articles and your Venn diagram worksheet, compare trolling and cyberbullying.

3. In one circle, students write words they associate with trolling. In the second circle, students write words
they associate with cyberbullying.

4. Invite students to write words that they associate with both cyberbullying and trolling in the middle
overlapping circle.

5. Discuss the differences and similarities between trolling and cyberbullying as a group at the end.
SLIDESMANIA
 Trolling is when someone posts or comments online to ‘bait’ people, which means deliberately provoking
an argument or emotional reaction. In some cases they say things they don’t even believe, just to cause
drama. In other cases, they may not agree with the views of another person or group online, so they try to
discredit, humiliate or punish them. This may include online hate – personal attacks that target someone
because of their race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. The troll may also
encourage mob mentality, urging others to join in the attack so it becomes a pile on.

Trolls often post under a fake name or anonymously, so they can say things without being held responsible. This can make
them feel more powerful and less cautious than they would be if they were talking to someone ‘IRL’ or in person. This makes
it difficult to identify who actually left the post or comment.

Trolls also often try to downplay the impact of their behaviour, claiming anyone who’s upset by their posts or comments is
overreacting. They may say it was just a joke, or the person who they targeted needs to toughen up. This can make the person
who was trolled feel even worse.
SLIDESMANIA
 Activity 4 – What makes a troll?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqHTlBp6iY

Click the link above and watch the opening 2 minutes and 18
seconds of the clip.

As a class, brainstorm on the board the type of behaviours that

internet trolls display as well as any traits you might think these
type of people have.
SLIDESMANIA
 What should I do if
I’m trolled?
Don’t feed the trolls
Resist the urge to respond – it’s not possible to reason with a troll. As tempting as it may be, getting involved in
an online argument just gives them the reaction they want, so they are likely to step up the attack.

Collect evidence, report and block

Online services and platforms have a responsibility to ensure people can use them safely. If the trolling is starting
to feel harmful, collect evidence so you have proof – this can include screenshots or recordings of the abusive
comments. Then you can report and block the troll in-app – you can find how to do this on common platforms in
The eSafety Guide. If they don’t help within 48 hours and your experience meets the legal threshold of serious
cyberbullying (for under 18s) or adult cyber abuse (for 18+), you can make a report to eSafety and we will help
remove the harmful content.

Get more help

If you’re feeling bad about what’s been happening while you’re online, make sure to talk about it with someone
you trust. You could show a close friend or family member this information and ask them to help you decide what
to do if you’re being trolled. You could also contact Kids Helpline (for 5 to 25 year-olds) or another confidential
counselling or support service – they have people who are ready to listen and help.
SLIDESMANIA
 Activity 5 - Stop. Think. Act: Commenting online

When you see content online, you might reply emotionally 1. Brainstorm the possible repercussions of posting comments
and impulsively without stopping to think about what you without stopping to think first. For example, repercussions
are posting. It’s important that you learn to stop and think can include being blocked, being misunderstood in terms of
before posting (remember the rap video!) their values, losing a job or a friend, etc.

‘Stop.Think. Act’ model:

Remember! that anything posted online remains online. 1. Stop: take a few deep breaths before responding.
Even if a comment is deleted, it has still been seen and
could be shared through screenshots. 2. Think: what are the possible repercussions?

3. Act: delete or post when, and if, appropriate.

SLIDESMANIA
 Thank you!
Next Lesson….

Term Review + Work Package

SLIDESMANIA