Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basics of online safety, including how to protect personal information, recognize safe websites, and identify potential online dangers. The student will also learn how to create strong passwords and develop good online habits.

Materials and Prep

• Computer or tablet with internet access
• Notebook and pen for taking notes
• Access to a word processing program for creating a safety poster
• Timer (can use a phone or computer timer)

Before the lesson, familiarize yourself with basic online safety concepts and think of examples of both safe and unsafe online behaviors to share with the student.

Activities

• Online Safety Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of online safety terms (like "phishing," "strong password," "privacy settings") and have the student search for definitions and examples. They can use a search engine to find the information and write it down.
• Password Strength Challenge: Teach the student how to create a strong password. Have them come up with three passwords and test their strength using an online password checker (if available). Discuss what makes a password strong.
• Safe vs. Unsafe Websites: Together, browse the internet and look for different websites. Have the student categorize them as "safe" or "unsafe" based on what they’ve learned. Discuss why they made their choices.
• Create an Online Safety Poster: Using a word processing program, have the student design a colorful poster that highlights key online safety tips. Encourage creativity and use images or drawings to illustrate their points.

Talking Points

• "What information should we never share online?" - Discuss personal information such as full name, address, phone number, and school name.
• "Why is it important to have a strong password?" - Explain that strong passwords help keep accounts safe from hackers.
• "Can you think of some signs that a website might not be safe?" - Talk about things like strange URLs, pop-up ads, or requests for personal information.
• "What should you do if you receive a message from someone you don’t know?" - Encourage them to ignore or block the sender and talk to a trusted adult.
• "How can we tell if an email is a scam?" - Discuss common signs of phishing emails, such as poor grammar or urgent requests for information.
• "Why is it important to log out of accounts when using public computers?" - Explain that leaving accounts open can let others access personal information.
• "What can you do to stay safe while playing games online?" - Discuss the importance of privacy settings and being cautious when talking to strangers in games.
• "How can we protect our devices from viruses?" - Talk about the importance of antivirus software and avoiding suspicious downloads.
• "What should you do if you see something online that makes you uncomfortable?" - Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult about it.
• "How can we help our friends stay safe online?" - Discuss the importance of sharing knowledge about online safety with peers.