Facilitator’s preparation notes

The facilitator must be able to draw out participants’ “first-time” excitement with the internet. Some participants may feel shy about talking about very private activities, especially since it may have to do with their sexuality. 

It helps to set some rules before the activity: that people only share what they are comfortable sharing, that there is no judgement as to what they share (e.g. the first time they stalked/doxxed someone). 

Allowing for anonymity and ensuring all participants use the same colour paper/sticky notes will help (see instructions/mechanics). 

The facilitator should collect the sticky notes/papers so that participants do not give themselves away if they share something very private or something that makes them vulnerable to judgement. 

Another way to encourage participants to open up is for the facilitator to share her/his first-time excitement with the internet. Something funny, honest and related to sexuality will help break the ice.

The facilitator should also be aware of any unequal power dynamics among participants because of:

1. Gender – mixed composition of male and female participants
2. Experience with internet governance – more experienced activists with less experienced ones.

The facilitator must be familiar with the “Whose Internet Is It Timeline” and the key events as well as the background information.