Years 7-8 students are gaining independence online, but many still hesitate to ask for help when something goes wrong. In schools, this can look like students trying to “handle it themselves”, feeling embarrassed, or worrying they’ll lose device access — while peers become the first (and sometimes only) point of support. That creates a gap: students may recognise harm, but not know the safest next steps, who to tell, or how to report without escalating the situation.
This session helps students build confidence to recognise online harm and an approach to guide safe choices. Ākonga explore trusted pathways, practise supporting a friend without taking on the burden alone, and learn that help-seeking and reporting are strengths that can stop harm from spreading.
This session
Theme: Build confidence in recognising online harm and using the Recognise–Respond–Report model to seek help, support peers, and use trusted pathways like adults, platforms, and Netsafe.
Learning outcomes: In this session, students will learn to:
- Identify when help is needed online and name a trusted pathway
- Use Recognise → Respond → Report to guide safe action
- Name trusted adults and formal help options (school, whānau, Netsafe, platforms)
- Practise safe ways to support a peer while encouraging help seeking
Activities:
- Class activity, 5 mins: React or respond?
- Class activity, small group activity, individual reflection, 10 mins: Take a moment to think
- Small group activity, class activity, 10 mins: Where can we get help?
- Small group activity, 15 mins: Supporting a friend safely
- Wrap up, 5 mins.
- Extensions:
- Trusted adults map
- Help-seeking charter
- Investigate app reporting functions
Key messages:
- Recognise - Respond - Report is a clear guide for safe action.
- You don’t have to handle serious online harm alone.
- Reporting is not dobbing or saying you cannot handle something - it protects you and others.
- Trusted adults and Netsafe are there to help.
- Friends can support but not fix serious problems.
- The HDCA exists to protect people in Aotearoa from serious online harm.
Classroom resources:
- Slide deck – overview of activities
- Scenario cards (Know where to go)
- Netsafe helpline poster (repeated from Yr 5-6 Responding Safely session)
Teacher support:
- Facilitator guide – with context, research, and learning progression.
- Activity plan – with step by step instructions.
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