Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 6

Discrimination in the online space

I can explain what to do if I experience or witness discrimination online.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 6

Discrimination in the online space

I can explain what to do if I experience or witness discrimination online.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are groups of people who are more vulnerable online.
  2. The Equality Act (2010) protects all people online and offline.
  3. There is a lot of discrimination online.
  4. Online discrimination has a huge effect on people.
  5. We can challenge discrimination by recording, reporting and blocking other users online.

Keywords

  • Vulnerable - someone who is more likely to be hurt

  • Discrimination - treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

  • Characteristic - an important trait or feature of a person

  • Equality - treating everyone the same and giving them the same opportunities, no matter who they are

Common misconception

Discrimination is not a big problem online because no one can be physically hurt.

People's mental wellbeing can really suffer if they are discriminated against online. It can be just as serious as offline, and the amount of abuse is often higher because perpetrators feel anonymous and powerful.

It may be useful to emphasise the difference between harassment/bullying and discrimination so that pupils feel confident in identifying discrimination if they see it. Explain to pupils your school's procedures for challenging discrimination and where pupils can seek support.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:influence,the effect that somebody has on the way a person thinks or behaves
tick

the effect that somebody has on the way a person thinks or behaves

Correct Answer:status,how respected someone is because of things they own or do
tick

how respected someone is because of things they own or do

Correct Answer:anonymous,unknown with a hidden identity
tick

unknown with a hidden identity

Q2.
Power often comes from , status, money or fame.
Correct Answer: popularity
Q3.
Which statements are true?
Correct answer: People can use their power online to pretend to be someone they're not.
People always behave the same online as they do offline.
Correct answer: People can use their power online to discriminate against others.
Correct answer: People can use their power online to protect others online.
Q4.
How can children use their power online?
Correct answer: to say no when they don't want to do something
to be unkind to others
to make friends with online strangers
Correct answer: to block and report other accounts
Q5.
Which of these statements are false?
Correct answer: Prejudice only exists offline.
Prejudice was different in the past but still exists.
Correct answer: There is nothing we can do to reduce prejudice.
We can reduce prejudice by challenging it.
Q6.
is websites and apps used to share words and images with other people, for example, as posts or through messages.
Correct Answer: social media

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:vulnerable,someone who is more likely to be hurt
tick

someone who is more likely to be hurt

Correct Answer:discrimination,treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics
tick

treating a person unfairly because of their characteristics

Correct Answer:characteristic,an important trait or feature of a person
tick

an important trait or feature of a person

Q2.
The Act (2010) protects all people online and offline.
Correct Answer: Equality
Q3.
Which statements are true?
Correct answer: There are groups of people who are more vulnerable online.
Discrimination is rare online.
Correct answer: Discrimination online can harm people's wellbeing.
Q4.
Which statements are false?
Online discrimination has a huge effect on people.
Correct answer: Discrimination isn't a big problem online, as no one can be physically hurt.
Correct answer: Online discrimination only affects people who experience it.
Q5.
People's mental can really suffer if they are discriminated against online.
Correct Answer: wellbeing, health
Q6.
How can we challenge online discrimination?
Correct answer: record the discrimination
delete the messages
Correct answer: tell a trusted adult
Correct answer: report and block the account
ignore them