Cyber Bullying (UNICEF)

Google Africa

This wordless animated short film by UNICEF powerfully illustrates the pervasive nature of cyberbullying and the positive impact of bystander intervention. The story follows a young student who becomes the victim of online harassment when a cruel caricature of her is circulated among her peers. The video visualizes how cyberbullying follows a victim everywhere—from the schoolyard to the safety of their own bedroom—demonstrating that there is often no escape from digital harassment without external help. The narrative explores critical themes of isolation, the viral nature of digital content, and the responsibility of digital citizens. It highlights the emotional toll on the victim, showing her transition from a happy student to a withdrawn, fearful individual. Crucially, it models positive behavior through a male classmate who refuses to participate in the bullying and instead reports the issue to an adult, leading to a resolution that restores the victim's social standing and emotional well-being. For educators, this video is an exceptional resource because its lack of intelligible dialogue makes it universally accessible, regardless of language barriers or reading levels. It serves as a perfect anchor for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons regarding empathy, digital footprints, and the specific steps students should take if they witness online bullying. The clear visual metaphors allow students to easily identify the roles of the bully, the victim, the bystander, and the upstander.