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Lesson 4 of 8 ยท 5 min ยท +100 XP

What is netiquette, and how can kids be kind online?

Netiquette means good manners online. Kids can follow it by remembering there is a real person behind every screen. Before sending a message, ask: would I say this to their face? Give real compliments, include others, and say nothing rather than something mean. Hurtful messages can be saved and shared, so if it isn't kind, don't send it.

โ–ถ Try it

Why it matters

Online messages can hurt and stay around for a long time. You practise turning mean messages into kind ones, and what to do when someone else is being mean.

In 5 minutes you'll be able to

  • Behind every message is a real person.
  • Ask yourself: would I say this to their face?
  • Kind words make other people's day better.

What you'll practise

  1. Send or not?

    Imagine saying it to the person's face. Would you send it?

    • Your picture looks great! ๐ŸŽจ โ†’ Send
    • You're so bad at this game. ๐Ÿ™„ โ†’ Better not
    • Do you want to play tomorrow? โ†’ Send
    • Nobody likes you. โ†’ Better not
    • Thanks for your help! ๐Ÿ˜Š โ†’ Send
    • Everyone laugh at Finn's photo! ๐Ÿ˜‚ โ†’ Better not

  2. Make it kind

    These messages are mean. Which version is kind?

    1. "Your video is so boring."

      • "I liked the funny ending! Make another one." (Answer)
      • "Yawn. Boring. ๐Ÿ˜ด"

    2. "You lost us the game!"

      • "We lost because of you."
      • "Never mind! We'll do it together next time." (Answer)

    3. "Your shoes are ugly."

      • Don't write anything. (Answer)
      • "Your shoes are weird, lol."

    4. Priya writes: "I'm sad."

      • "So what?"
      • "Oh no! Do you want to talk?" (Answer)

  3. Someone is being mean

    In your class chat, someone posts a mean joke about Finn. What can you do? Pick all the kind choices.

    • Don't laugh or join in ๐Ÿ™…
    • Send Finn a kind message ๐Ÿ’Œ
    • Tell a grown-up you trust ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
    • Like the mean joke ๐Ÿ‘
    • Forward it to other friends ๐Ÿ“ค
    • Write something mean back ๐Ÿ˜ 

Remember

Before you send, ask: would I say this to their face? If it isn't kind, don't send it.

If it isn't kind: don't send it!

Key facts

  • 19.1% of children aged 10 to 15 in England and Wales experienced at least one online bullying behaviour in the past year. Girls (22.5%) were more likely than boys (16.0%) to experience it. ยท Source: ONS, Bullying and online experiences among children in England and Wales, year ending March 2023 (published 2024)
  • 46% of US teens aged 13 to 17 have experienced at least one of six cyberbullying behaviours. The most common was being called offensive names (32%). ยท Source: Pew Research Center, Teens and Cyberbullying 2022
  • Online messages can be screenshotted, forwarded and saved, so a mean message can keep hurting long after it was sent.
  • Likes, laughing emojis and forwards make a mean post reach more people. Not joining in is already a kind choice.

Updated:

Questions people ask

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is when someone uses phones, games or apps to hurt, threaten, embarrass or leave out another person, often again and again. Mean messages, unkind comments and sharing photos to laugh at someone are all examples.

Why is it easier to be mean online?

Online you can't see the other person's face or how sad they are, and it can feel like nobody knows it was you. That's why it helps to ask: would I say this to their face?

What should kids do if someone is mean to them online?

Don't write back in anger. Save the messages, block the person and tell a trusted adult, who can help report it.

How can kids be kind online?

Give real compliments, include others, and say nothing rather than something mean. A good test before sending: would I say this to their face?

Related terms