In Years 5–6, friendships shift, peer influence grows, and students spend more time messaging, gaming and using group chats—so social issues can follow them beyond the classroom. Schools need a clear, shared way to tell the difference between rude behaviour, mean behaviour and bullying, online and offline. When every unkind act is labelled “bullying”, the term loses meaning and it’s harder to respond effectively. Cyberbullying can also be harder to notice because tone is missing, messages spread quickly, and people can hide behind screens.
This session helps ākonga notice and name when behaviour crosses into bullying, and builds an understanding of safer active bystander responses. Part of the Netsafe Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit.
This session
Theme: Notice and name when behaviour shifts from rude/mean to bullying, offline and online, using the Four P’s (Purpose, Pattern, Power, Pain) and practise safe bystander responses.
Learning outcomes: In this session, students will learn to:
- Explain the difference between rude, mean, and bullying behaviour.
- Use the four P’s (Purpose, Pattern, Power, Pain) to notice when behaviour crosses
into bullying. - Understand why bullying online is harder to spot.
- Suggest safe ways to respond as bystanders.
Activities:
- Class discussion, 5 mins: Spot the difference in behaviours.
- Class presentation, 10 mins: Behaviour categories – Slide deck.
- Small group discussion, 10 mins: In pairs, compare use of the same comment online and face-to-face
- Small group activity, 15 mins: Categorise example behaviours as rude, mean, or bullying – Scenario sheets.
- Exit ticket, 5 mins: One safe way I could respond if I see bullying is…
- Extensions
- Quiz masters
- Comic strip storytelling
Key messages:
- Not every unkind act is bullying, but all bullying is serious
- The four P’s (Purpose, Pattern, Power, Pain) make bullying clear
- Knowing the difference means the right help goes to the right people
- Cyberbullying is harder to notice because online cues are missing
- Everyone has a role in noticing and responding safely
Classroom resources:
- Slide deck to support class presentation
- PDF: Scenarios sheet to support small group activity
Teacher support:
- Facilitator guide – with context, research, and learning progression
- Activity plan – with step by step instructions
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Related Tools and Resources
Cyberbullying Prevention session for Years 5-6. Students understand choices, practice positive responses, and learn where to get help.
Years 5-6 students learn to choose safe responses to hurtful behaviour and know when to seek support. A Netsafe Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit session.
- Year 5-6
- Year 7-8
- Year 9-11
- Year 12-13
- Cyberbullying
- 20-40 per session
The Student Spark Kits help teachers support ākonga to lead practical actions that make their school communities kinder and safer - both online and offline. Part of the Cyberbullying Prevention Toolkit.