Stepping Up to Cyber Bullying; Web Safety

For grades 3-6. This program deals with the growing and complex issues of cyber bullying and web safety in a warm-hearted, uproarious skit performed by Michael Pritchard and our lovable, zany puppet characters. Our problem-solving format sparks student discussion in guided brain-storming sessions with Michael bringing his trademark insight and caring humor to research-based solutions.

Each lesson includes two video segments, plus a problem-solving leader's guide is available online which provides detailed questions for a scripted discussion as well as follow-up activities.

Lesson 1: Being Safe and Secure on the Web

This groundbreaking program prepares elementary school students for the complex, confusing and often dangerous world of the internet. When our lovable puppet characters decide to explore the web with abandon, they learn how quickly they can stumble onto sites that are inappropriate and disturbing. After visiting a chat room where Zazi is bullied by older students, our pre-teen duo learns important lessons about web safety and good ways to protect themselves while surfing the web. The harsh world of social-networking ranking polls and the culture of anonymity are also explored.

Lesson 2: Protecting Yourself from Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying has become an unfortunate fact of life in the digital world and this important program helps students and school communities take positive steps to stop it. When Zazi is repeatedly sent a disturbing picture by an anonymous cyber-bully, her friend Dieter insists she stop living in fear and get help. Through the counsel of Michael Pritchard, they learn positive ways they can enhance their online privacy and protect themselves from web-based bullying. The complexities of cyber bullying are demonstrated as our puppet pair learns that the school, parents and even the police may need to become involved.

Lesson 3: Online Rumors, Texts, and Gossip

Rumors and gossip are a hurtful part of pre-teen and teen culture and are often used by bullies to harass and isolate their victims. The power of the internet and the prevalence of mobile devices greatly speed and broaden the transmission of this rancorous chatter. When Dieter gets an A on a test and the rumor spreads that he cheated, he learns how quickly malicious gossip can take hold and ruin one's reputation. He and Zazi discover effective methods to block rumors, even when they travel at the speed of light in the 24/7 world of texts, twitter and chat.

Lesson 4: Helping and Caring in a Digital World

This critical program explores the perplexing dualities of digital technologies: their power to intensely magnify both the positive and negative aspects of the human heart. Just as Deiter has planned to play first-person shooter games for the entire winter break, Zazi asks him to use his highly developed computer skills to help organize an important community service project. The power of caring and compassion is demonstrated as Dieter transcends the limited world of gaming and discovers the deep satisfactions of doing good and helping others. The cruel world syndrome of violent video games and other barriers to empathy are identified and examined.

Awards:

Pegasus Award of Distinction
Gold Remi from WorldFest Houston (Houston International Film Festival)
2012 Parents' Choice Award