The Badge Archive

Interview about Negative Messages

Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Cadette Netiquette badge requirements.

Items Needed:

  • Guest speaker who will share stories about how careless or angry messages can negatively affect young people.
  • Pens or pencils
  • Ruled or plain paper (one per scout)
  • Netiquette Tip Sheet
  • Laptop or tablet (optional for scouts who prefer using them)

Instructions:

  1. Scouts should have their Netiquette Tip sheets.
  2. Introduce the guest speaker.
  3. Speaker asks scouts:
    • “What is the Netiquette badge is about?”
    • Scouts describe the badge, and the leader can fill in any parts they missed.
  4. Speaker shares their experiences, including examples of the negative impact caused by ambiguous or angry messages, and ways to avoid these situations.
  5. Encourage scouts to ask questions throughout the discussion. Guide the conversation by asking the guest questions such as:
    • “What do you recommend to young people when they send a message?”
    • “Is there anything someone can do to repair hurt caused by a message?”
    • “What should you do if you receive a hurtful message?”
    • “If someone feels embarrassed after receiving a hurtful message, how can they overcome it?”
    • “What if the person who sent the hurtful message doesn’t care about fixing it—what should you do?”
  6. Wrap up by asking scouts: “What tips can you add to your Netiquette Tip sheet based on what you’ve learned?” Have scouts write any new tips down on their sheets.

Guest Speaker Instructions

Guest Speaker Guide: How Careless or Angry Messages Can Affect Young People

Purpose: Share relatable stories and advice to help scouts understand the impact of careless or angry online communication and encourage positive behavior.

Key Topics to Cover:

  1. Hurt Feelings: Share a story where a message caused embarrassment or exclusion.
  2. Damaged Relationships: Highlight how unkind posts or sharing personal information without permission can harm friendships.
  3. Miscommunication: Provide an example of a rushed or unclear message leading to misunderstandings or conflicts.
  4. Long-Lasting Impact: Discuss how online messages leave a permanent digital record that might affect someone later.

Advice for an Engaging Talk:

  • Use Relatable Examples: Share stories involving platforms scouts use, like texting or social media, to keep them engaged.
  • Focus on Empathy: Explain how words can affect emotions and relationships, encouraging scouts to consider others’ feelings.
  • Balance Challenges with Solutions: Include examples of positive interactions (“Wow moments”) and practical solutions to avoid mistakes.
  • Explain Consequences Clearly: Talk about risks without overwhelming scouts—keep the focus on learning and improving.
  • Encourage Interaction: Invite scouts to ask questions or share their own experiences to make the talk collaborative.
  • Provide Practical Tips: Recommend actions like pausing before sending or re-reading messages to ensure clarity and kindness.
  • Reassure Scouts: Remind them that everyone makes mistakes online and that taking responsibility and learning from them is what matters most.
Tia Kennard