Years 7–8 students are spending more of their friendship and identity-building time in group chats, online games and social media. Even when they know the privacy “basics”, they can struggle to apply them under peer pressure — especially when sharing happens fast. Screenshots, tags and reposts can push content far beyond the original audience, leading to embarrassment, exclusion or bullying. New Zealand schools need practical, age-appropriate ways to build shared expectations around online consent and personal boundaries, not just rules.
This session helps ākonga understand consent online, recognise how boundary breaches can cause harm, and practise respectful online habits. It supports students to use clear language, safer choices and help pathways when something goes wrong.
This session
Theme: Strengthen online safety and respect by exploring consent, boundaries, and safe habits. Learn to ask, check, and respect before sharing, tagging, or forwarding content.
Learning outcomes: In this session, students will learn to:
- Understand the importance of consent online (asking before sharing/tagging, respecting boundaries).
- Identify how breaches of consent can lead to harm or bullying (e.g., forwarding, screenshotting, exposing private info).
- Recognise that personal boundaries online are as important as offline.
Activities:
- Class activity and discussion, 10 mins: Would you rather?
- Class lesson, 8 mins: Consent traffic light
- Small group activity, 15 mins: Ask before you post — PDF: Scenario cards (online boundaries)
- Class activity, 10 mins: The Leak Test
- Small group activity, 10 mins: Boundary scripts — reuse scenario cards from before
- Individual activity, 5 mins: Self-reflection
- Extensions:
- Scenario mix
- Boundary scripts in action
- Digital detective
- Whānau link
Key messages:
- Ask, check, respect: Always get consent before posting, tagging, or sharing.
- No answer = no consent: Silence or pressure is not permission.
- Think before you forward: Once something is shared, you lose control of where it goes.
- Boundaries online = boundaries offline: The same respect you expect in person applies online.
- Your choices matter: Not forwarding, not liking, and speaking up can reduce harm.
- Scripts give strength: Simple phrases help you say no, ask clearly, or support a friend.
- Safe reporting is normal: If harm happens, there are pathways (school staff, trusted adults, Netsafe) to get help.
Classroom resources:
- Slide deck: Online boundaries
- PDF: Scenario cards
Teacher support:
- Facilitator guide – with context, research, and learning progression.
- Activity plan – with step by step instructions.
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