Student learning · Grades 6–8 · 40 minutes
Your Face, Your Say
Middle schoolers learn that your face and body are yours, that using AI to make a fake, hurtful image of a real person is never a joke and can be against the law, and exactly what to do if they see one, tell a trusted adult and don't pass it on.
Middle schoolers are meeting apps that can paste anyone's face into fake images or change a real photo into something embarrassing or cruel. This lesson gives them a clear, age-appropriate foundation before they face it: your likeness, your face and body, belongs to you, and no one has the right to make or share a fake, hurtful image of you or anyone else. Without any explicit content, students learn that using AI to make a non-consensual, fake sexualized or humiliating image of a real person (a non-consensual image made without their permission) is not a prank, hurts a real person, and can be against the law, even for kids. The heart of the lesson is what to do: if you're targeted, it's not your fault and you tell a trusted adult; if you see one of someone else, you don't laugh, don't share it, tell an adult, and check on the person. Students practice being the upstander who refuses to pass it on. The tone is calm, respectful, and empowering, not scary, centered on consent, dignity, and looking out for each other.
In this packet
- Handout A: Whose Image Is It? (card sort)
- Handout B: What Would You Do? (cut-apart cards)
- Handout C: My Upstander Plan (worksheet)
- Facilitator key (last page)
TCEA ELE indicators
- S2.3 I am aware of the potential risks of sharing content online.
- S2.1 I know how to protect my personal information online.
- AI2.1 I know how to apply ethical principles when using or developing AI for education.
- S3.3 I am aware of the value of diverse perspectives in group work.
Full facilitator guide: mglearn.github.io/eles/activities/your-face-your-say.html
Handout A for Your Face, Your Say
Whose Image Is It?
Sort each card into OKAY or NOT OKAY, based on consent (did the person say yes?) and whether it hurts a real person. No real images here, just ideas.
Okay
Not okay
Handout A for Your Face, Your Say
Whose Image Is It?: cards to sort
Cut apart the strips. Sort each one onto the mat and be ready to explain why.
Drawing a silly cartoon of yourself and posting it
Using an app to put a classmate's face on a fake, embarrassing body and sending it around
Posting a group photo after everyone in it said yes
Editing a friend's selfie to make them look ridiculous and posting it without asking
Making a fake sexual image of a real person with an app
Making a meme using a cartoon character (not a real person)
Forwarding a fake, cruel image of a classmate because it's 'funny'
Asking a friend 'can I post this picture of you?' and only posting if they say yes
Using someone's photo to make them look like they did something they didn't
Telling a trusted adult when you see a fake, hurtful image of someone
Handout B for Your Face, Your Say
What Would You Do?
You're the bystander. For each card, pick the UPSTANDER moves (don't share, don't laugh, tell a trusted adult, check on the person) and reject the spread-it moves. Practice one real thing to say or do.
the chat
A fake, embarrassing image of a classmate pops up in a group chat and people start laughing.
the friend
Your friend forwards you a fake image of someone and says 'send it to everyone.'
the dare
Someone dares you to make a fake image of a classmate with an app 'as a joke.'
the target
A classmate tells you a fake image of them is going around and they're scared.
the bystander guilt
You already laughed or shared before you realized how bad it was. What now?
practice
Say out loud one line you could actually use to refuse to pass something on in a group chat.
Handout C for Your Face, Your Say
My Upstander Plan
Fill this in for yourself. Keep it where you'll remember it.
A trusted adult I would tell (name), and why I'd pick them:
One upstander move I will ALWAYS make if I see a fake, hurtful image of someone:
A real line I could say to refuse to share or to support the person:
One thing I learned today about respecting people's images:
Facilitator only for Your Face, Your Say
Answer key and notes
Handout A: Whose Image Is It?
| Item | Sort | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing a silly cartoon of yourself and posting it | Okay | It's you, and you chose to share it. |
| Using an app to put a classmate's face on a fake, embarrassing body and sending it around | Not okay | No consent, and it hurts a real person. This can be abuse and illegal. |
| Posting a group photo after everyone in it said yes | Okay | Everyone consented to the picture being shared. |
| Editing a friend's selfie to make them look ridiculous and posting it without asking | Not okay | It's their image and they didn't agree; it's meant to humiliate. |
| Making a fake sexual image of a real person with an app | Not okay | This is image-based sexual abuse. It's never a joke and can be a crime, even for minors. |
| Making a meme using a cartoon character (not a real person) | Okay | No real person's likeness is being misused. |
| Forwarding a fake, cruel image of a classmate because it's 'funny' | Not okay | Forwarding spreads the harm; you become part of it. |
| Asking a friend 'can I post this picture of you?' and only posting if they say yes | Okay | That's consent, and respect for their image. |
| Using someone's photo to make them look like they did something they didn't | Not okay | It's a lie that uses their likeness and can seriously hurt them. |
| Telling a trusted adult when you see a fake, hurtful image of someone | Okay | That's the upstander move, it helps stop the harm. |
Handout B: What Would You Do?
- the chat
- Upstander: don't react or forward, leave or say "not okay," screenshot only if an adult asks, and tell a trusted adult. Check on the classmate privately.
- the friend
- Upstander: "No, that's messed up and it can get us both in real trouble, I'm not sharing it." Tell an adult.
- the dare
- Upstander: say no, it's not a joke, it's abuse and illegal. Don't do it, and tell an adult if it's really happening.
- the target
- Upstander: "It's not your fault. Let's tell [trusted adult] right now, they can help get it taken down." Stay with them.
- the bystander guilt
- It's not too late: stop sharing, tell an adult what happened, and help make it right. Owning it is the strong move.
- practice
- Examples: "Not sharing that." "That's not funny, it's someone's life." "I'm out." Short and clear works.