Lithuanian Child Line helps schools to tackle cyberbullying and online safety issues

The pandemic has brought new challenges to the education system. Schools have had to quickly adapt to working online, teachers and parents have had to cope with many technology-related challenges, and children are spending more time online. On the other hand, distance learning has provided an opportunity for non-formal education providers to reach schools more easily, including those in more remote locations.

Date 2021-09-30 Author Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre Section awareness Topic cyberbullying, media literacy/education, potentially harmful content Audience children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and professionals
Children in school, cyberbullying

To address the new challenges and growing opportunities of online work with schools, in April 2021, Child Line (the helpline strand of the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre (SIC)) introduced online lessons for schools on the topic of cyberbullying and online harassment. 

Schools in Lithuania were offered lessons for school pupils aged 10 to 15. During these lessons, participants got acquainted with the emotional support work of Child Line and discussed the importance of getting help in emotionally difficult situations, whether offline or online. A variety of online bullying and harassment examples were presented, along with relatable stories shared by young people who have sought help from Child Line. Finally, participants had the chance to discuss and practice choosing tools and methods for tackling online bullying from the perspectives of the target, the bystander, and the bully. Each lesson was 45 minutes in duration. 

Schools in Lithuania were offered lessons for school pupils aged 10 to 15. During these lessons, participants got acquainted with the emotional support work of Child Line and discussed the importance of getting help in emotionally difficult situations, whether offline or online. A variety of online bullying and harassment examples were presented, along with relatable stories shared by young people who have sought help from Child Line. Finally, participants had the chance to discuss and practice choosing tools and methods for tackling online bullying from the perspectives of the target, the bystander, and the bully. Each lesson was 45 minutes in duration. 

Child Line invited schools to request a free lesson via its Facebook account; a total of 44 schools, including primary, secondary schools and special needs schools, took up the offer. Subsequently, 1,459 students participated in the online lessons and expanded their knowledge of cyberbullying and online safety.

Find out more about the work of the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.

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