Lesson Plan
Scrolling Safely Online
Students will be able to identify at least two online risks and two ways to stay safe on social media platforms.
Learning about social media safety helps students protect their personal information, avoid scams, and maintain a positive online presence. This is important for their well-being and future.
Audience
10th Grade Students (IQ 65)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction with visual aids and simple, practical activities.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Social Media Safety Slide Deck, Teacher Script, Safety Scroll Worksheet, and Pencils
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Social Media Safety Slide Deck and ensure all visuals are clear and easy to understand.
- Read through the Teacher Script to familiarize yourself with the simplified language and instructions.
- Print enough copies of the Safety Scroll Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare the projector or whiteboard for the slide deck presentation.
- Review the Safety Scroll Answer Key for grading and discussion.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Think About It
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What are some things you like to do on social media?" (e.g., watch videos, talk to friends, see pictures).
- Write their ideas on the board. Explain that social media is fun but also has rules to stay safe, just like crossing the street.
- Transition to the lesson by saying: "Today, we're going to learn how to be super safe while we're having fun online!"
Step 2
Direct Instruction: Online Safety Rules
10 minutes
- Use the Social Media Safety Slide Deck to present key safety rules.
- Follow the Teacher Script for simplified explanations and examples.
- Slide 1: Title Slide - Introduce the topic:
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Script
Teacher Script: Scrolling Safely Online
(5 minutes) Warm-Up: Think About It
Teacher: "Hi everyone! Today we're going to talk about something really fun that many of you use: social media! Like TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat. Can you tell me some things you like to do on social media? What's your favorite part?"
(Teacher listens to student responses and writes a few on the board: watch videos, talk to friends, see pictures, etc.)
Teacher: "Those are great! Social media is super fun for all those things. But, just like how we have rules to stay safe when we cross the street, we also need rules to stay safe when we're online. It's like having a helmet for your brain when you're using your phone!"
"Today, we're going to learn how to be super safe while we're having fun online! We'll learn how to keep ourselves protected and make smart choices."
(10 minutes) Direct Instruction: Online Safety Rules (Using Social Media Safety Slide Deck)
Teacher: "Let's look at our first rule for being safe online."
(Advance to Slide 1: Scrolling Safely Online - Title Slide)
Teacher: "This is our topic for today: Scrolling Safely Online. It means using social media smart and safe."
(Advance to Slide 2: Rule 1: Keep Private Things Private)
Teacher: "Our first big rule is: Keep Private Things Private. What do you think 'private things' means?"
(Teacher listens for responses and guides them to personal information.)
Teacher: "Exactly! Private things are special details about YOU that strangers don't need to know. Look at these examples on the slide:
- Don't share your full name. Just use your first name, or a fun nickname. We don't want strangers to know exactly who you are.
- Don't share your home address. This is where you live. Only people you know really well, like family, should know this.
- Don't share your phone number. This is how people call you. Keep it just for family and close friends.
- Don't share your school name. We don't want strangers to know where you go every day.
- Keep passwords secret, even from friends! Your password is like the key to your online house. Keep it locked!
Teacher: "Before you share something, always think: Who needs to know this? If it's a stranger, they don't need to know your private stuff."
(Advance to Slide 3: Rule 2: Think Before You Post Pictures)
Teacher: "Our second rule is: Think Before You Post Pictures. Pictures are fun, but they can show a lot!
- Pictures can show where you are. If you take a picture in front of your house, everyone knows where you live!
- Pictures can show what you are doing. If you're doing something you shouldn't be, everyone online will see it.
- Once it's online, it stays online. Even if you delete it, someone might have saved it. It's like putting paint on a wall; it's hard to get it all off.
Teacher: "Always ask yourself: Is this picture safe for everyone to see? Is it something my grandma would be okay with? If not, don't post it!"
(Advance to Slide 4: Rule 3: Talk to Friends, Not Strangers)
Teacher: "Rule number three: Talk to Friends, Not Strangers. This is super important.
- Only talk to people you know in real life. People you see at school, or your family.
- Strangers online might pretend to be someone else. They might say they are a kid your age, but they might be an adult. You can't see them, so you don't know for sure.
- Never agree to meet someone you only know online. This can be very dangerous. Always tell an adult if someone online asks to meet you.
- If someone makes you feel weird, tell a trusted adult. Your mom, dad, teacher, aunt, uncle. Anyone you trust. They can help you.
Teacher: "Remember, online friends are not the same as real-life friends. Be careful who you talk to!"
(Advance to Slide 5: Rule 4: Block and Report Bad Stuff)
Teacher: "Our last rule is: Block and Report Bad Stuff. Sometimes, people online are not nice.
- If someone is mean, block them. This means they can't talk to you anymore. It's like closing the door on them.
- If you see something scary or bad, report it. Most social media apps have a button to report bad things. This tells the app that something isn't right.
- Tell a grown-up you trust right away! If someone is mean or you see something bad, don't keep it a secret. Tell an adult immediately. They can help make it stop.
Teacher: "You have the power to stop bad things online by blocking and reporting!"
(5 minutes) Activity: Safety Scroll Worksheet
Teacher: "Okay, now let's practice what we learned! I have a special Safety Scroll Worksheet for you. It has some pictures and questions about being safe online. Work on these quietly at your desk. If you have questions, raise your hand."
(Distribute the Safety Scroll Worksheet and pencils. Circulate to assist students.)
(5 minutes) Discussion & Review
Teacher: "Alright, let's go over some of our answers on the Safety Scroll Worksheet together. What did you write for question 1? (Refer to Safety Scroll Answer Key for guidance)"
(Teacher facilitates a brief discussion, using the Safety Scroll Answer Key to confirm answers and reinforce concepts.)
Teacher: "Great job everyone! Remember our rules:
- Keep private things private.
- Think before you post pictures.
- Talk to friends, not strangers.
- Block and report bad stuff.
- And always ask a grown-up if you are unsure!
"Staying safe online helps you have more fun! If you ever have a question or feel worried about something online, who should you tell?"
(Teacher waits for students to say 'a trusted adult' or similar.)
Teacher: "That's right! A trusted adult. You did a fantastic job today. Keep scrolling safely!"
Worksheet
Safety Scroll Worksheet
Name: _____________________________
Date: _________________
Let's Practice Staying Safe Online!
Instructions: Read each question carefully. Draw a circle around the YES or NO, and then write why.
Question 1: Private Things
Your new online friend asks for your home address so they can send you a gift. Should you give them your home address?
YES / NO
Why?
Question 2: Posting Pictures
You took a picture of yourself at school, showing the school name in the background. Is it okay to post this picture on social media for everyone to see?
YES / NO
Why?
Question 3: Talking to Strangers
Someone you don't know in real life sends you a message online and wants to meet up at the park. Should you go meet them?
YES / NO
Why?
Question 4: Bad Stuff Online
Someone online is saying mean things to you. What should you do first?
Circle the best answer:
A. Say mean things back to them.
B. Block them and tell a trusted grown-up.
C. Keep talking to them and ignore it.
Question 5: Ask a Grown-Up
You see something online that makes you feel confused or scared. What is the smartest thing to do?
Answer Key
Safety Scroll Answer Key
Let's Practice Staying Safe Online!
Question 1: Private Things
Your new online friend asks for your home address so they can send you a gift. Should you give them your home address?
NO
Why? Your home address is private information. You should never share your home address with someone you only know online. They might not be who they say they are, and it can be dangerous. Only people you know very well in real life, like family, should know your address.
Question 2: Posting Pictures
You took a picture of yourself at school, showing the school name in the background. Is it okay to post this picture on social media for everyone to see?
NO
Why? Posting pictures that show your school name tells strangers where you go every day. This is private information that you should keep safe. It's best to avoid posting pictures that reveal your location or personal details like your school.
Question 3: Talking to Strangers
Someone you don't know in real life sends you a message online and wants to meet up at the park. Should you go meet them?
NO
Why? You should never agree to meet someone you only know online. Strangers online can pretend to be someone they are not, and meeting them in person can be very unsafe. If someone asks to meet you, you should immediately tell a trusted adult.
Question 4: Bad Stuff Online
Someone online is saying mean things to you. What should you do first?
Circle the best answer:
A. Say mean things back to them.
B. Block them and tell a trusted grown-up.
C. Keep talking to them and ignore it.
Explanation: Blocking them stops them from bothering you, and telling a trusted grown-up (like a parent or teacher) ensures you get help and support to handle the situation safely.
Question 5: Ask a Grown-Up
You see something online that makes you feel confused or scared. What is the smartest thing to do?
The smartest thing to do is to tell a trusted grown-up right away. This could be a parent, guardian, teacher, or any adult you trust. They can help you understand what you saw and make sure you are safe. It's important not to keep scary or confusing things a secret. Always ask for help!
Slide Deck
Scrolling Safely Online
Fun online, safe online!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of social media safety. Keep it simple and positive. (Visual suggestion: An appealing, simple graphic of a smartphone with a shield or a happy, diverse group of young people interacting positively with digital devices.)
Rule 1: Keep Private Things Private
Explain what personal information is and why it's important not to share it with strangers. Use simple examples like full name, address, phone number. (Visual suggestion: Icons representing a locked diary, a house, a phone, and a school, all with a 'no' symbol over them.)
Rule 2: Think Before You Post Pictures
Discuss how pictures can tell a lot. Explain that once a picture is online, anyone can see it. Emphasize thinking before posting. (Visual suggestion: A thought bubble over a phone screen, showing a picture being posted, with a 'world' icon next to it implying public access, and a 'delete' button that is grayed out or a ghosted image indicating permanence.)
Rule 3: Talk to Friends, Not Strangers
Talk about talking to strangers online. Explain that people online might not be who they say they are. Encourage students to only talk to people they know in real life. (Visual suggestion: Two cartoon figures, one clearly identifiable (e.g., a friend) and another with a question mark or a mask over their face, with a 'no' symbol over the masked figure.)
Rule 4: Block and Report Bad Stuff
Briefly introduce the idea of reporting and blocking. Explain it's like telling an adult if someone is bothering them in person. (Visual suggestion: An icon of a user profile with a 'block' symbol (circle with a line) and a 'report' flag icon, next to an adult figure listening empathetically.)
Stay Safe Online!
Summarize the key takeaways and reinforce the idea of asking for help. Encourage questions. (Visual suggestion: A collage of the key icons from previous slides (shield, lock, thought bubble, trusted adult) unified under a large 'SAFE' banner.)