As educators, it’s important to teach our students how to communicate safely and responsibly online. Today, we will discuss Cyber Skills for Online Messaging, which help middle school students navigate the digital world while maintaining respect and understanding for others.

Introduction

Talking to friends online is enjoyable, but it also comes with great responsibility. Students need to learn how to be safe and smart about who they talk to and what they say. This is where Cyber Skills come into play. By teaching students to use the same communication skills they use in real life when they’re talking online, we can help them avoid making others feel upset or uncomfortable. Cyber Skills for Online Messaging include:

• Understanding the appropriate time and place for messaging or texting
• Thinking about what to say before sending a message
• Waiting for a response and sharing the conversation equally

No-Prep Activity

Here’s an easy, no-prep activity to help students practice their Cyber Skills for Online Messaging:

1. Divide the students into pairs.
2. Ask each pair to come up with a hypothetical conversation topic that might occur between friends online.
3. Have the students role-play the conversation, with one student acting as the sender and the other as the receiver. Encourage them to use the Cyber Skills discussed earlier.
4. After a few minutes, have the students switch roles and continue the conversation, practicing the same Cyber Skills.
5. Once the activity is complete, bring the class back together and discuss the importance of using Cyber Skills for Online Messaging in their everyday lives.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about Cyber Skills for Online Messaging:

1. Why is it important to think about what you’re going to say before sending a message online?
2. How can waiting for a response and sharing the conversation equally make a difference in online communication?
3. What are some potential consequences of not using Cyber Skills when messaging friends online?
4. How can we apply Cyber Skills in other areas of our digital lives, such as social media or online gaming?
5. What strategies can you use to remind yourself to practice Cyber Skills when communicating online?

Related Skills

Apart from Cyber Skills for Online Messaging, it’s essential to teach students other relevant skills to help them navigate the digital world responsibly. Some of these skills include:

• Online privacy and protecting personal information
• Digital citizenship and responsible behavior online
• Recognizing and reporting cyberbullying
• Understanding the impact of digital footprints

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about Cyber Skills for Online Messaging and how to incorporate them into your classroom, it’s time to explore even more valuable skills for your students. Sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech, where you’ll find resources to help teach a wide range of social-emotional skills to your middle school students.