Year 8 · RSHE (PSHE) · beta

Our online lives: How can I stay safe?

This unit addresses online bullying, exploring why it happens, its impact on victims and communities, and effective response strategies. Pupils learn to identify harmful online behaviours, understand their responsibilities as bystanders, and develop practical skills for maintaining safety.

This is an attributed Oak National Academy lesson sequence, not a completed or academically approved DASKEREL course. Supporting transcripts may depend on video, images, practical equipment or teacher explanation. Follow each lesson’s supervision guidance. For religious education and RSHE, follow the school’s syllabus, policy and safeguarding procedures.

Prior knowledge

  • Pupils should understand from Year 7 what constitutes bullying and harmful online behaviour, including that cyberbullying is unacceptable and has serious consequences for victims.
  • Pupils should be familiar with how to report concerns and access support from previous units, understanding that reporting is a responsible action that helps protect themselves and others.
  • Pupils should know from earlier learning about respectful online communication and that social media behaviour should follow the same standards as face-to-face interactions.

Source curriculum references

  • How to evaluate their impact on other people and treat others with kindness and respect, including in public spaces and including strangers.
  • The different types of bullying (including online bullying), the impact of bullying, the responsibilities of bystanders to report bullying and how and where to get help.
  • The characteristics of social media, including that some social media accounts are fake, and / or may post things which aren’t real / have been created with AI.
  • That social media users may say things in more extreme ways than they might in face-to-face situations, and that some users present highly exaggerated or idealised profiles of themselves online.
  • What to do and how to report when they are concerned about material that has been circulated, including personal information, images or videos, and how to manage issues online.
  • That social media can lead to escalations in conflicts, how to avoid these escalations and where to go for help and advice.
  • Pupils should learn how to identify when technology or social media is used for bullying, harassment, stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour.
  • How to increase their personal safety in public spaces, including when socialising with friends, family, the wider community or strangers.
  • Pupils should learn ways of seeking help when needed and how to report harmful behaviour.
  • How to identify harmful behaviours online (including bullying, abuse or harassment) and how to report, or find support, if they have been affected by those behaviours.

Oak source metadata. DASKEREL has not independently verified school-level coverage.

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