Super-Safe Computer Messages: Stop, Think, and Ask

Materials Needed

• Paper and crayons or washable markers
• Three cards labeled SAFE, STOP, and ASK
• Toy computer, tablet, or cardboard “computer”
• Simple picture cards showing familiar people, unknown messages, and a trusted grown-up
• Optional: stuffed animal or puppet

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Say that some computer messages may be confusing or unsafe.
• Use the three steps: Stop, Think, Ask.
• Identify a trusted grown-up to ask for help.
• Practice not clicking, typing, or sharing information without permission.

Success Criteria

Success looks like the child being able to:

• Pause when shown a strange or unexpected message.
• Say, “I will ask my grown-up.”
• Choose the correct STOP or ASK card in at least three practice situations.

Introduction: The Curious Computer

Hook: Show the toy computer or puppet and say:

“Our computer friend found a message with silly-looking letters and numbers. Should we click it right away?”

Let the child answer. Explain:

“Sometimes messages are easy to understand. Sometimes they are strange, surprising, or not meant for us. We can keep ourselves safe by stopping and asking a trusted grown-up.”

Tell the child:

“Today we will learn three safety words: Stop, Think, Ask.”

Body: I Do

1. Teach the Three Safety Steps

Use hand motions for each word:

• Stop: Hold up a hand like a stop sign.
• Think: Touch your head gently.
• Ask: Pretend to raise a hand.

Say and repeat:

“Stop your hands. Think about the message. Ask a trusted grown-up.”

2. Model Safe Behavior

Pretend to see a strange message on the toy computer. Think aloud:

1. “This message looks strange.”
2. “I will stop. I will not click or type.”
3. “I will ask my grown-up for help.”

Show the STOP card, then the ASK card.

Body: We Do

3. Stop, Think, Ask Game

Read one situation at a time. Ask the child to show a card and explain what to do.

• “A message says, ‘Click here!’ but you do not know who sent it.”
• “Your grown-up gives you permission to watch your favorite program.”
• “A screen asks you to type your name, but your grown-up is not nearby.”
• “Your parent or teacher says it is okay to open a learning game.”

Guide the child toward these responses:

• Unknown or confusing message: Stop and ask.
• Approved activity with a trusted grown-up: Safe to continue together.

4. Think-Pair-Share Alternative

For a classroom, pair children. For homeschool, the adult and child work together.

1. Look at a picture card.
2. Tell a partner what the child in the picture should do.
3. Share the answer with the group or adult.

Body: You Do

5. Safety Puppet Role-Play

Let the child choose whether to be the helper, the computer user, or the puppet.

The puppet says:

“I found a message with funny words. I want to press the button!”

The child practices saying:

“Stop! Do not click. Ask a trusted grown-up.”

Repeat with a new situation:

“The screen asks for information. What should we do?”

Expected response:

“Stop and ask before typing or sharing.”

6. Create a Safety Poster

Invite the child to draw three pictures:

1. A hand for Stop
2. A thinking face for Think
3. A child talking to a trusted grown-up for Ask

Let the child choose the poster’s colors, characters, and title. The adult may write:

“Stop, Think, Ask!”

Formative Assessment

Throughout the lesson, check understanding by asking:

• “What do we do when a message looks strange?”
• “Should we click before asking?”
• “Who can help us?”
• “Show me the hand motion for Stop.”

Offer encouragement and correct gently:

“You remembered to pause. That is a safe choice.”

Summative Assessment: Show What You Know

Present three short pretend situations. Ask the child to demonstrate what to do:

1. A strange message appears.
2. A screen asks for personal information.
3. A trusted grown-up gives permission to use a learning activity.

The child meets the goal if they can:

• Pause instead of clicking or typing.
• Say or show “Stop, Think, Ask.”
• Name or point to a trusted grown-up.

Differentiation

For Learners Needing More Support

• Use only two cards: STOP and ASK.
• Practice one situation at a time.
• Use hand motions, pictures, and repeated phrases.
• Allow the child to point instead of speaking.

For Learners Ready for More Challenge

• Ask the child to invent a safe computer rule.
• Have the child explain why a message might need adult help.
• Invite the child to create a short puppet safety story.
• Ask the child to sort several picture cards into “safe with permission” and “ask first.”

Real-World Connection

Explain that the same rule works with tablets, phones, computers, games, television apps, and unfamiliar websites:

“If it is strange, surprising, or asks for information, stop and ask a trusted grown-up.”

Conclusion and Recap

Invite the child to complete these sentences:

• “When a message looks strange, I will ______.”
• “Before I click or type, I will ______.”
• “A trusted grown-up I can ask is ______.”

Finish with the safety chant and motions:

“Stop!” (hand up)
“Think!” (touch head)
“Ask!” (raise hand)
“That is how we stay safe!”

Optional Follow-Up Activity

Place the safety poster near the family computer or tablet. During the week, invite the child to practice the chant before beginning an approved digital activity.