Interactive storytelling journey to prevent bullying

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An interactive storytelling journey to prevent bullying

Interactive story about bullying
Stand together -Understand Bullying

Stand together -Understand Bullying

Anti-Bullying Interactive Storytelling Resource

Stand Together: Understanding Bullying

Stå Sammen: Forståelse af Mobning

An interactive storytelling journey to prevent bullying

Welcome to the Anti-Bullying Interactive Story

Bullying affects many young people around the world. Through this interactive story, you’ll learn to:

  • Recognize different forms of bullying
  • Understand the impact of bullying on everyone involved
  • Develop strategies to prevent and respond to bullying
  • Learn how to be an upstander, not a bystander

You’ll follow the story of several characters and make choices that affect their journey. Your decisions matter!

Meet the Characters

M
Maya
A new student who feels isolated at school
J
Jack
A popular student who sometimes participates in bullying
S
Sofia
A kind-hearted student who wants to help others
T
Teacher Ms. Chen
A supportive teacher who notices what’s happening

Scene 1: Maya’s First Day

Maya just moved to a new town and today is her first day at a new school. She feels nervous as she walks through the unfamiliar hallways, trying to find her classroom.

M
Maya (thinking):

I hope I can make some friends today. Everything feels so different here compared to my old school.

As Maya enters the classroom, she notices several students whispering and looking in her direction. She finds an empty seat at the back of the room.

J
Jack:

(whispers to his friends) Look at the new girl. What’s with those weird clothes? She obviously doesn’t fit in here.

M
Maya (thinking):

I can tell they’re talking about me. I wish I could just disappear right now.

S
Sofia:

(noticing Maya’s discomfort) Hey, Jack, cut it out. How would you feel if you were new?

If you were Sofia, what would you do next?
Go sit next to Maya and introduce yourself
Tell the teacher about Jack’s behavior
Say nothing more and mind your own business

Great choice! By sitting with Maya, Sofia is showing direct support and making her feel welcome. This is an example of being an “upstander” – someone who takes action to help someone who is being mistreated.

Good thinking! Getting help from an adult is often a good strategy, especially if bullying is persistent. Just make sure this doesn’t embarrass Maya further.

Think again. By saying nothing, Sofia becomes a passive bystander. While speaking up can be difficult, staying silent allows bullying to continue.

Scene 2: Lunchtime Incident

At lunch, Maya sits alone at the edge of a table, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Jack and his friends enter the cafeteria and notice her.

J
Jack:

Hey, look, the new girl doesn’t have any friends. No surprise there.

Jack and his friends begin to laugh. One of them takes a photo of Maya eating alone and posts it to social media with a mean caption.

M
Maya:

(notices the photo being taken and looks down at her food, fighting back tears)

S
Sofia:

(seeing what’s happening) Jack, delete that photo right now! That’s cyberbullying and it’s against school rules. Plus it’s just really mean.

J
Jack:

Relax, it’s just a joke. Why do you care anyway?

If you were Jack, what would you do now?
Delete the photo and apologize to Maya
Ignore Sofia and leave the photo up
Delete the photo but make fun of Sofia for being so sensitive

Excellent choice! Removing harmful content and apologizing shows responsibility and empathy. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how we respond to them that matters most.

This is harmful. Cyberbullying can spread quickly and cause lasting damage. Posts like these can violate school policies and even laws in some places.

This is still bullying. While deleting the photo is good, redirecting the bullying to Sofia doesn’t solve the problem – it just creates a new target. True strength comes from standing up for what’s right, not putting others down.

Scene 3: Teacher Intervention

Later that day, Ms. Chen notices that Maya seems upset in class. After the lesson, she asks Maya to stay behind for a moment.

T
Ms. Chen:

Maya, I’ve noticed you seem a bit down today. Is everything okay?

M
Maya:

(hesitates) I’m fine, just adjusting to the new school…

T
Ms. Chen:

I understand it can be challenging to be the new student. I want you to know that you can talk to me if you’re having any problems. Our school has a strict anti-bullying policy.

If you were Maya, what would you do?
Tell Ms. Chen about the incidents with Jack
Say nothing and deal with it on your own
Ask Ms. Chen what the school’s anti-bullying policy involves

Brave choice! It takes courage to speak up, but telling a trusted adult about bullying is often the best way to address it. Teachers can help create a safer environment for everyone.

This might not help. While it might feel like you’re being strong by dealing with bullying alone, it often continues or gets worse without intervention. Everyone deserves support.

Good approach! Learning about the policies shows you’re taking initiative while still opening the door to more conversation. This can be a first step to sharing your experiences.

After their conversation, Ms. Chen decides to organize a special class discussion about respect, inclusion, and the effects of bullying. She doesn’t single anyone out but uses examples everyone can learn from.

S
Sofia:

(approaches Maya after class) Hey, some of us are going to study in the library after school. Would you like to join us?

M
Maya:

(smiles) I’d really like that. Thank you.

J
Jack:

(approaches Maya and looks uncomfortable) Hey, um, I wanted to say… I’m sorry about before. What I did wasn’t cool. The photo is deleted.

Reflection: Understanding Bullying

Now that you’ve experienced this story, let’s take some time to reflect on what we’ve learned about bullying and how to prevent it.

Your Thoughts

What forms of bullying did you recognize in this story?
If you were a witness to bullying in real life, what actions could you take?
Why do you think some people, like Jack in the story, choose to bully others?

Key Takeaways

  • Types of Bullying: Verbal (insults, name-calling), Social (exclusion, spreading rumors), Physical, and Cyberbullying (online harassment)
  • Effects of Bullying: Emotional distress, isolation, academic problems, and long-term psychological impacts
  • Prevention Strategies: Creating inclusive environments, speaking up as an upstander, seeking help from trusted adults
  • Everyone’s Role: Teachers, bystanders, and even former bullies can all take actions to prevent bullying

Anti-Bullying Resources

Thank you for completing this interactive journey on understanding and preventing bullying. Here are some resources you can use to learn more or get help if needed.

Helpful Resources

  • StopBullying.gov – Information and resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center – Resources for students, parents, and educators
  • The Cyberbullying Research Center – Information about online bullying prevention
  • Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
  • School Counselors – Most schools have counselors available to discuss bullying concerns

Remember, whether you’re experiencing bullying yourself, witnessing it happening to others, or want to make sure you’re not engaging in bullying behaviors, there are always resources and people who can help.

By understanding what bullying is, recognizing its effects, and knowing how to respond, you’re already making a difference.

Certificate of Completion

This certifies that

Your Name

has successfully completed the

Anti-Bullying Interactive Learning Journey

and has learned valuable skills for recognizing, preventing, and responding to bullying.

Date:

Let's stop bullying

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