Cyberbullying has become one of the biggest challenges that face students, families, and schools today. In 2025, young people spend more time online than ever before, which makes it easier to connect, learn, and share, but also increases the risk of online bullying. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen at any time and follow students wherever they go, even into the safety of their homes. This makes it an issue that all members of the school community, students, teachers, and parents, need to understand and address.
Information About This Worksheet (Cyberbullying Awareness Reading Comprehension Worksheet for Middle School)
This worksheet is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of cyberbullying and to encourage positive online behavior. The reading passage introduces the topic in clear, age-appropriate language, while the comprehension activities (true/false, vocabulary, gap fill, WH-questions, pronoun reference, and discussion) help students practice reading skills and think critically about the issue.
This resource is most suitable for middle school students in Grades 6–8 (ages 11–14). However, it can also be adapted for:
- Grade 5 (age 10–11) students who are ready for more advanced reading tasks, with some teacher guidance.
- Grade 9 (age 14–15) students as an introduction to class discussions, writing prompts, or digital citizenship lessons.
Why This Resource About Cyberbullying Matters
By using this material, teachers can promote classroom discussions about respect, kindness, and digital safety. Parents can also benefit by reading alongside their children, opening up important conversations at home. Above all, the goal is to help young people recognize the signs of cyberbullying, understand its harmful effects, and learn practical ways to respond.
Cyberbullying Awareness Reading Comprehension Worksheet for Middle School
Reading Passage: Cyberbullying in 2025: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know
In 2025, more young people are connected to the internet than ever before. Students use phones, tablets, and computers not only to study, but also to play games, share photos, and talk to friends. While technology has made life easier, it has also created new problems. One of the most serious problems is cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying happens when someone uses technology to hurt, threaten, or embarrass another person. It can take many forms: mean messages, spreading rumors online, sharing private photos without permission, or excluding someone from a group chat. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen anytime and anywhere, even when the victim is at home. This makes it harder to escape and can cause deep emotional pain.
The effects of cyberbullying are serious. Students who are bullied online may feel sad, anxious, or afraid to go to school. They may lose confidence or stop using the internet altogether. In some cases, cyberbullying can even harm physical health, leading to stress, lack of sleep, and poor performance in class. Parents and teachers should pay close attention to changes in students’ behavior, as these may be signs that something is wrong.
To fight cyberbullying, everyone has a role to play. Students can be kind online and refuse to share hurtful messages. Parents should talk openly with their children about their online experiences and encourage them to speak up if they face problems. Teachers and schools can create safe spaces where students feel supported and can report bullying without fear. Together, we can make the online world a safer and kinder place for everyone.
Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Reading Comprehension Exercises with Answers
Exercise 1: Read the sentences and write True (T) or False (F).
- Cyberbullying can only happen during school hours.
- Sharing private photos without permission is a form of cyberbullying.
- Cyberbullying can affect both emotional and physical health.
- Students can play no role in stopping cyberbullying.
- Teachers and schools can help students feel safe to report bullying.
Exercise 2: Match the words with their correct meanings.
- Rumors
- Exclude
- Anxious
- Supported
- a. Left out on purpose
- b. Stories or information that may not be true
- c. Helped and cared for
- d. Worried or nervous
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences with the correct word from the list below.
(technology – safe – parents – online – confidence)
- Cyberbullying happens when someone uses …………………………..to hurt others.
- Students who are bullied may lose their ……………………………….
- It is important for ……………………………..to talk openly with their children.
- Together, we can make the ………………………world a kinder place.
- Teachers should create …………………………spaces where students can report bullying.
Exercise 4: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
- How can parents help fight cyberbullying?
- What is cyberbullying?
- Give two examples of how cyberbullying can happen.
- Why is cyberbullying harder to escape than traditional bullying?
- What are two effects of cyberbullying on students?
Exercise 5: Look back at the passage and say what each pronoun refers to.
- It (in “It can take many forms…”)
- They (in “They may lose confidence…”)
- Them (in “…encourage them to speak up…”)
