💛 SELGrade 2Lesson 20
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Show Digital Kindness

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Tell the difference between kind and unkind online behavior
  • 2Explain why the same kindness rules apply online as in real life
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Mini Lesson

Would you walk up to a friend and say something mean to their face? Probably not! But sometimes people forget that the same rules apply when they are online. A screen does not change whether your words are kind or cruel — the other person still feels them just as strongly.

What is digital kindness?

  • Digital kindness means being kind, respectful, and supportive when communicating online — in messages, chats, comments, or games.
  • Example: Sending an encouraging message to a friend who is having a hard day.
  • The golden rule applies online too: treat others the way you want to be treated.

Kind online behavior

  • Send encouraging, supportive messages.
  • Include others — do not leave people out of group chats.
  • Think before you post: Is this true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
  • Stand up for someone being treated unkindly online.

Unkind online behavior (cyberbullying)

  • Sending mean, hurtful, or mocking messages.
  • Sharing embarrassing photos or information about someone without their permission.
  • Leaving someone out of a group chat on purpose.
  • Saying things online you would never dare say in person.
True Kind Necessary check before posting onlineThree check questions before posting anything online: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? All three must be yes to post.Before you post, ask:TIs itTRUE?accurateKIs itKIND?helpfulNIs itNECESSARY?worth sayingAll three YES → okay to post
The T-K-N check before posting online.
Kind versus unkind online message examplesThree pairs of chat bubbles showing a kind message on the left and an unkind equivalent on the right.Kind vs. Unkind online"Great job on yourdrawing! I like it.""Your drawing isso bad. Why try?""Want to join ourgame? More is better!""This chat is onlyfor some. Not you.""You played reallywell today. Keep it up!""You are the worstplayer. Everyone knows."Words online hurt as much as in person.
Kind vs. unkind message pairs for the same situation.
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Ask yourself: "Before I send this, would I be happy if someone sent me the exact same message?"

Vocabulary
Digital kindness
Being kind, respectful, and supportive onlinee.g. Sending an encouraging note is digital kindness.
Cyberbullying
Being mean or hurtful to someone using the internete.g. Cyberbullying is never okay.
Encourage
To say kind words that help someone keep goinge.g. I encourage my friends in our group chat.
Include
To make sure others are part of the groupe.g. I include everyone in the chat invite.
Golden rule
Treat others the way you want to be treatede.g. The golden rule works online too.
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← Lesson 19: Be Responsible OnlineLesson 21: Respect Rules and Routines →