How We Treat Each Other

An agree/disagree exercise to think about the right way to behave

Instructions

This activity is a great way to get young people to think about how we treat each other.

Instructions

Read out the statements below one at a time. Decide if you agree or disagree if it is acceptable.

The group could hold up or down their thumbs to signal, or create a physical scale in the room from agree to disagree.

After each statement discuss why people picked a particular response.

Statements:

  • It’s okay to be left out
  • Children can bully adults
  • Saying someone is stupid doesn’t hurt them as much as hitting them
  • Making someone feel uncomfortable or unhappy is alright as long as it doesn’t happen all the time
  • Everyone should challenge all types and forms of bullying in the group
  • Making insulting comments about someone is not okay even if they deserve it
  • You should give your friends a second chance if they make a mistake
  • It’s important to welcome new members
  • Shoving another young person is fine during an active game
  • Stealing or damaging another person’s belongings is okay if they have bullied you
  • Spreading rumours is okay if the person has been nasty to you
  • Making threats is okay if someone is picking on you
  • Sending nasty texts or emails is okay if you don’t like the person you’re sending them to
  • Taking pictures of someone on your mobile to send to others is okay
  • It’s okay to cheer on a bully when they’re teasing someone
  • It’s okay to hit someone as long as they’re the same age and height as you
  • Repeating what someone says in a strange voice is fine if it’s funny
  • Bullies come in all shapes, sizes and ages
  • Bullies pick on people to try to prove something
  • It’s better to tell someone who is being bullied to remain silent about what’s happening
  • It’s best if others in the group try to ignore what’s happening
  • Anybody can be bullied
  • Telling an adult about a bully’s behaviour is a bad idea

Discussion

Briefly discuss which questions did everyone agree on and why? Which questions caused a disagreement? Why? Use this discussion to reflect on how we treat each other.

Take it further

If you and your group enjoyed this activity you could try Group Treaty to bring the group together and make contracts on what is acceptable or not and how we treat each other at group night sessions.

There are lots of games to try with your group in Games, Games, Games, a publication with around 250 group games. The games are essentially co-operative in nature and develop skills and attitudes which encourage learning together and supporting one another.

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