Power, influence, and online behaviour

This session

Theme: Understanding how power and influence work in digital spaces. Recognising who holds control, how everyday actions create ripple effects, and how students can use their influence to build safer, more respectful online cultures.

Learning outcomes: In this session, students will learn to:

• Know the difference between power (capacity to control or decide) and influence (the ripple effects of actions).
• Know influence is not neutral, silence, laughter, likes, or shares all send signals.
• Understand that platforms and people with authority often hold power, but everyday users shape influence.
• Understand that influence is affected by context, such as popularity, group norms, or algorithmic visibility.

Activities:

• Class discussion, 2 mins: Quick fire brainstorm
• Class activity, 10 mins: Exploring influence, ripple effect game
• Small group activity, 15 mins: Power and influence in action — PDF: Scenario cards
• Small group activity, 10 mins: Collective action statement for safer digital spaces
• Wrap-up, 5 mins.
• Extensions:
  • Peer impact project
  • Messages to adult
  • Positive influence campaign
  • Shift the vibe, change the game (online student micro-learning moment)

Key messages:

• Online power comes from visibility, popularity, and peer approval- but it can be used constructively or destructively
• Influence is not neutral: likes, shares, and silence all have impact
• Everyone plays a role: bystanders have power to either reinforce harm or challenge it
• Using influence positively helps shape a safer, more respectful digital culture

Classroom resources:

• PDF: Scenario cards
• MLM: Shift the vibe, change the game (see Related Resources link at bottom of this page)

Teacher support:

• Facilitator guide – with context, research, and learning progression.
• Activity plan – with step by step instructions.