Lesson Plan
Stay Safe Online!
Students will be able to identify common online risks and apply strategies for safe online behavior.
Learning online safety is crucial in today's digital world. It empowers students to protect their personal information, avoid scams, and interact responsibly with others online, fostering a safer and more positive digital experience.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, engaging activities, and practical tips.
Materials
Smart Choices Warm-Up, Online Safety Slide Deck, Risky Clickers Game, and Digital Detective Worksheet
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Online Safety Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Prepare to display the Online Safety Slide Deck.
- Print or prepare for digital distribution the Digital Detective Worksheet.
- Prepare the Risky Clickers Game materials (e.g., scenarios, response cards if applicable).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Smart Choices
5 minutes
- Begin with the Smart Choices Warm-Up to gauge students' initial understanding of good choices online.
- Facilitate a brief discussion based on their responses.
Step 2
Introduction to Online Safety (Slide Deck)
10 minutes
- Present the Online Safety Slide Deck, discussing key concepts like personal information, strong passwords, and recognizing tricky situations.
- Encourage questions and share real-life examples relevant to 5th graders.
Step 3
Interactive Game: Risky Clickers
10 minutes
- Introduce and play the Risky Clickers Game.
- Guide students through scenarios, prompting them to identify safe vs. risky online actions and discuss their reasoning.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the Digital Detective Worksheet for students to complete individually or in pairs.
- Conclude by emphasizing the importance of talking to a trusted adult about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable online.
Slide Deck
Welcome, Digital Explorers!
Navigating the Internet Safely
- What does it mean to be safe online?
- Why is it important?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of online safety. Ask them what they think 'online safety' means. Explain that today we'll learn how to be super smart and safe when we're online, whether playing games, watching videos, or talking to friends.
Your Personal Shield
What is 'Personal Information'?
- Full Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- School Name
- Passwords
Rule #1: Keep it to yourself! Don't share with people you don't know in real life.
Explain what personal information is. Ask students for examples (without them sharing their own details). Emphasize that this information should NEVER be shared with strangers online.
Super Strong Passwords
Protect Your Accounts!
- Mix letters (uppercase & lowercase), numbers, and symbols.
- Make them long!
- Don't use easy-to-guess things (like your birthday).
- Never share your password, even with friends.
Think of it like a secret code only YOU know!
Discuss why strong passwords are important. Compare it to a lock on a diary or a front door. Give examples of weak vs. strong passwords. Explain that they should be unique and not shared.
Spotting Tricky Situations
Not everyone online is who they seem.
- People might pretend to be someone else.
- They might ask you personal questions.
- They might try to make you feel uncomfortable.
Rule #2: If it feels weird, it probably is!
Talk about 'stranger danger' online. Explain that people online might not be who they say they are. Give examples of tricky situations like someone asking for personal info or trying to meet up. Introduce the 'Stop, Think, Tell' rule.
The Golden Rule: Stop, Think, Tell
- Stop: Don't respond or click further.
- Think: Is this safe? Is it true? How does it make me feel?
- Tell: Always tell a trusted adult (parent, teacher, guardian) if something worries you online.
You are not alone! Trusted adults are there to help.
Introduce the 'Stop, Think, Tell' rule as a key strategy for handling uncomfortable or suspicious online situations. Explain each step clearly.
Be an Online Safety Star!
Remember these tips to stay safe:
- Protect your personal information.
- Create strong, secret passwords.
- Use the Stop, Think, Tell rule.
- Always be kind online.
Let's practice these skills with some fun activities!
Briefly recap the main points and introduce the upcoming activities. Encourage students to be active participants in keeping themselves and others safe online.
Warm Up
Smart Choices Online: Would You Rather?
Read each scenario and decide if you would rather do 'Option A' or 'Option B'. Be ready to explain why you chose your answer!
Scenario 1: New Game Alert!
Option A: Download a new game that your friend told you about, even though it asks for your full name, address, and phone number to sign up.
Option B: Download a new game that your friend told you about, and it only asks for a username and a strong password to sign up.
My Choice (A or B):
Why:
Scenario 2: Chatting with a New Friend
Option A: You are playing an online game and someone you don't know starts asking you where you live and what school you go to. You tell them, thinking it's okay because you're both playing the same game.
Option B: You are playing an online game and someone you don't know starts asking you where you live and what school you go to. You politely say, "I don't share personal information with people I don't know in real life." and then tell a trusted adult what happened.
My Choice (A or B):
Why:
Scenario 3: A Secret Message!
Option A: You get a message from someone you don't know with a link that says "Click here for free V-bucks!" You click the link right away because who doesn't love free stuff?
Option B: You get a message from someone you don't know with a link that says "Click here for free V-bucks!" You remember the "Stop, Think, Tell" rule, close the message, and tell a trusted adult about it.
My Choice (A or B):
Why:
Worksheet
Digital Detective: Online Safety Case Files
As a Digital Detective, your mission is to identify online dangers and figure out how to stay safe! Read each case file and write down your detective notes.
Case File 1: The Mysterious Friend Request
Situation: You receive a friend request on your favorite game from someone you don't recognize. Their profile picture is cool, but they immediately start asking you personal questions like "What's your full name?" and "Where do you live?"
Your Detective Notes:
- What's the danger here? (Why is this suspicious?)
- What should you do? (Apply the "Stop, Think, Tell" rule!)
Case File 2: The Easy Password Problem
Situation: Your friend tells you they use their pet's name, "Buddy," as their password for everything because it's easy to remember. They even offer to tell you their password so you can play on their account.
Your Detective Notes:
- What's the danger here? (Why is "Buddy" a bad password? Why shouldn't you share passwords?)
- What should your friend do? (How can they create a strong password?)
Case File 3: The Pop-Up Prize!
Situation: While watching a video online, a pop-up appears saying, "Congratulations! You've won a brand new tablet! Click here to claim your prize!" It looks exciting!
Your Detective Notes:
- What's the danger here? (Why should you be careful with pop-ups like this?)
- What should you do? (What's the safest action to take?)
Game
Risky Clickers: Online Safety Scenario Game!
Objective: Work in teams to decide if a click is "Risky" or "Safe" and explain why! Earn points for correct answers and explanations.
Materials:
- Scenario Cards (provided below)
- "Risky" and "Safe" signs or colored cards for each team (e.g., Red for Risky, Green for Safe)
- Scoreboard
How to Play:
- Divide the class into small teams (2-4 students per team).
- Read one scenario card aloud.
- Each team discusses the scenario and decides if the action described is "Risky" or "Safe."
- After a brief discussion time (e.g., 30 seconds), each team holds up their "Risky" or "Safe" sign.
- Teams that chose correctly get a point. Ask one team to explain why it's risky or safe.
- Award bonus points for clear and thorough explanations that use concepts from the lesson (e.g., personal information, strong passwords, Stop, Think, Tell).
- The team with the most points at the end wins!
Scenario Cards:
Scenario 1:
Action: You're playing an online game, and another player messages you, asking for your full name and address so they can send you a gift. You really want the gift!
Is this Risky or Safe? Why?
Scenario 2:
Action: You want to sign up for a new educational website. The website asks you to create a username and a password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols. You create a unique, long password.
Is this Risky or Safe? Why?
Scenario 3:
Action: You receive an email from someone you don't know, saying your favorite YouTube creator is giving away free game consoles if you click a link and enter your parents' credit card information. It looks official!
Is this Risky or Safe? Why?
Scenario 4:
Action: You see a mean comment posted about your classmate on social media. You immediately tell a trusted adult, like your teacher or a parent.
Is this Risky or Safe? Why?
Scenario 5:
Action: You're having an online video chat with your grandparent. They ask you to show them your new pet, and you hold up your puppy for them to see.
Is this Risky or Safe? Why?
Scenario 6:
Action: Your friend wants to log into their game account on your tablet, so they ask you for your tablet's unlock code and your game password. You give them both because they're your best friend.
Is this Risky or Safe? Why?