Students need to recognize that our words have consequences. When victims are bullied, they are experiencing fear, anxiety, and lowered self-esteem. This can lead to victims changing their behaviors and interests to make sure that they are in a safe situation. Often times this ends with isolation and a loss of previous interests, like sports, clubs, socializing. This can also lead to more extreme outcomes. When victims feel like they are not accepted, they may develop dangerous habits to help cope with this stress. This may manifest as addiction, an eating disorder, or even self harm.
In this activity, students will create a timeline of a victim of bullying. Activities like the ones shown can help students visualize the impact of their words by helping them to think before they speak. The goal of this activity is to prevent bullying. After the students complete their work, have a discussion of how the long-term effect can persist into adulthood.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard showing the impact of being a bullying victim in both the short term and the long term.
Promote a safe and inclusive environment by guiding students to show empathy and provide positive support to classmates who've experienced bullying. Peer support can reduce isolation and help victims recover more confidently.
Remind students to listen actively if someone shares their experience. Validating feelings without offering quick solutions helps create trust and demonstrates real care.
Show students how to ask if their peer needs company or wants to talk. Simple gestures like inviting someone to join a group or sitting together at lunch can make a big difference.
Explain that telling a trusted adult is not tattling. Encourage students to alert teachers or counselors if someone seems especially withdrawn or at risk.
Recognize students who go out of their way to support others. Share positive stories in class to reinforce the value of a caring community.
A bullying victim timeline activity is an exercise where students create a visual storyboard or timeline showing the short-term and long-term effects of bullying on a victim. It helps students understand the serious consequences of bullying and encourages empathy.
Start by asking students to make a three-cell timeline: the first cell shows the bullying incident, the second illustrates the short-term impact on the victim, and the third depicts the long-term effects. Encourage discussion afterward about how these impacts can last into adulthood.
Understanding the long-term effects of bullying helps students realize that negative words and actions can cause lasting harm, such as isolation, loss of interests, and mental health challenges, which can persist into adulthood.
Signs include withdrawal from social activities, changes in behavior or interests, increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and potentially dangerous coping habits like addiction or self-harm. Noticing these can help teachers provide support early.
Timeline activities make the consequences of bullying real and relatable for students. By visualizing a victim’s journey, students are more likely to think before they speak and act, fostering a more empathetic and safe school environment.