Session Goal & Learning Outcomes
Today’s session goal is to strengthen empathy and active listening skills by sharing real online experiences and practicing non-judgmental, peer-to-peer support.
After the session you will be able to:
Group Agreement
Before we start, let’s all agree to:
- confidentiality,
- respect,
- no judging,
- no “fixing.”
Let’s open up!
Share with the rest of the group one word for how you feel about online life this week.
What is active listening?
7 Active Listening Techniques
- Being fully present in the conversation
- Showing interest by practicing good eye contact
- Noticing (and using) non-verbal cues
- Asking open-ended questions to encourage further responses
- Paraphrasing and reflecting back what has been said
- Listening to understand rather than to respond
- Withholding judgment and advice
Different People, Different Comfort Levels
Not everyone feels the same about sharing online or in person.
People’s digital experiences and comfort levels can vary because of:
- Culture
- Family rules
- Personal experiences
- Language or confidence
There is no “right” way to share.
Everyone gets to choose what feels safe for them.
When Peer Support Is Not Enough
Your role is to support, not to solve.
Passing it on is part of being a responsible peer educator.
Sometimes a situation is too serious to handle alone.
You should involve an adult or youth worker if someone:
- Talks about hurting themselves or others
- Seems very distressed or withdrawn
- Shares something that makes you worry about their safety
- Asks for help you cannot give
How to Refer Someone for Support
You can say: “I understand. Don’t worry, I think this is something an adult can help with.” or “Would you be okay if we spoke to a youth worker together?”
Then:
- Tell a trusted adult or youth worker
- Stay with the person if they want support
- Do not promise to keep secrets about safety
“The Digital Download” Sharing Circles
Pair up & think of a story about a digital habit. It can be a true story, or something made up, and either positive or negative.
Pair up & think of a story about a digital habit. It can be a true story, or something made up, and either positive or negative.
In pairs, each person shares a digital win or online struggle with their partner. Keep the story around 5 minutes.
Once the story finishes the listener paraphrases key points of the story and then the pairs switch roles.
Once the story finishes the listener paraphrases key points of the story and then the pairs switch roles.
The facilitator shuffles the pairs and asks the participants to repeat the process with the new partner.
The small groups to also discuss the signs that someone might need more than peer support.
Brainstorm respectful check-in phrases and ways to refer to an adult/youth worker.
The smaller groups will present the summary of their discussions to the rest of the group.
Closing Sharing Circles Safely
Feeling emotional is normal. Taking care of yourself matters.
At the end of an emotional discussion:
- Thank everyone for sharing
- Remind the group that what was shared stays private
- Bring the focus back to the present moment
- End on something positive or calming
This helps everyone leave feeling grounded and safe.
Look after yourself, it helps to:
- Take a few slow breaths
- Stretch or move your body
- Drink some water
- Talk to someone you trust
Group Debrief
- 1. What does active listening look and sound like - online and in real life?
- 2. What are the different aspects to keep in mind when supporting peers.
- 3. How can we encourage more people to apply these techniques?
- 4. What keeps people from giving or receiving support, and how can we help?
- 5. How can we notice and celebrate when someone supports a friend well?
Let’s take action!
- How could we further motivate our friends and family become better at listening and therefore supporting their peers.
- What are effective ways to promote the idea that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness?
Reflection Time
Individual reflection:
- When have I felt truly listened to, and what made that moment special?
- How do I usually support my friends, and what could I do better?
- What stops me from asking for help when I need it?
- Which support technique from the sessions do I want to try more often?
- How can I show appreciation when someone supports me well?
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project Number: 2024-2-PT02-KA220-YOU-000287246
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