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Surfing Safely: Navigating the Internet and Dodging Cyberbullies

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Megan O'Shaughnessy

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Surfing Safely Lesson Plan

Students will learn basic internet safety concepts and identify strategies to handle cyberbullying, focusing on protecting personal information and responding to uncomfortable online interactions.

This lesson equips young learners with essential digital skills, ensuring they understand safe online behaviors and become responsible digital citizens.

Audience

K-2 Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, storytelling, and simple activities.

Materials

Cyber Safety Story, and Internet Safety Activity

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Cyber Safety Story to understand the narrative and key messages.
  • Prepare the Internet Safety Activity materials.
  • Familiarize yourself with the key internet safety points and potential discussion questions.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

10 minutes

  • Introduce the topic of internet safety asking simple questions like "What is the internet?"
  • Discuss why it's important to keep personal information safe.
  • Explain what cyberbullying is in simple terms and share recognizable examples.

Step 2

Story Time

15 minutes

  • Read the Cyber Safety Story aloud, engaging students by asking predictive and reflective questions.
  • Pause to highlight parts where characters make safe choices online.

Step 3

Interactive Activity

7 minutes

  • Conduct the Internet Safety Activity where students practice identifying safe versus unsafe internet practices.
  • Encourage group discussion to reinforce conclusions.

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Review

3 minutes

  • Summarize key takeaways about internet safety and dealing with cyberbullying.
  • Ask students to share one thing they learned and how they can be safe online.
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Reading

The Adventures of Sammy the Seal: Surfing Safely!

Once upon a time, in a big blue ocean, lived a curious little seal named Sammy. Sammy loved to explore! One day, his friend, Olivia the Otter, showed him something amazing: a magical shell that could connect them to the whole ocean, showing pictures and telling stories from far, far away! It was called the "Internet."

Sammy was so excited! But Olivia, who was a bit older and wiser, said, "Sammy, the Internet is wonderful, but we need to be smart and safe, just like we are in the ocean!"

Rule #1: Keep Your Secret Stuff Safe!

Olivia explained, "Imagine our home address, our favorite toy, or even our full name. We wouldn't tell that to a stranger on the beach, would we? It's the same online! Never tell anyone your real name, where you live, your phone number, or show your picture to people you don't know in real life. Keep that information a secret, just like where we hide our favorite shiny pebbles!"

Sammy nodded, "So, no telling my full name, Sammy Seal P.O. Box 123, Coral Reef Lane? Got it!"

Rule #2: Always Ask a Grown-Up!

"Before you click on a new link, or play a new game, always, always ask a grown-up, like your mom or dad seal, or your teacher shark," Olivia said. "They can help you find safe places to play and learn. If something looks funny or makes you feel squishy in your tummy, show it to a grown-up!"

Rule #3: Be Kind Online!

One day, Sammy was playing an online game where he was building a sandcastle. Another sea creature, a grumpy crab, started sending mean messages like, "Your sandcastle is ugly!" and "Go away!"

Sammy felt a little tear in his eye. "That's not kind," he whispered.

Olivia swam over, "Oh no, Sammy! That's called 'cyberbullying.' It's when someone is mean or tries to make you feel bad online. Remember, if someone is not being kind, here's what you do:

  • Don't talk back: Don't send mean messages back. That just makes things worse.
  • Tell a grown-up: Show your mom or dad, or your teacher, what happened. They can help you!
  • Block them: You can often block the grumpy crab so they can't send you mean messages anymore.

"And remember, Sammy," Olivia finished, "You are a wonderful seal, and you deserve to feel safe and happy online, just like you do in our ocean!"

Sammy felt much better. He knew how to surf the Internet safely now, always keeping his secret stuff safe, asking a grown-up for help, and being kind (and knowing what to do if others aren't!). He swam off, ready for more safe and fun online adventures!"

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Activity

Safe Surfer, Unsafe Surfer!

Objective: Students will identify examples of safe and unsafe online behaviors.

Materials:

  • Two large cards or signs: one with a happy, green "Safe Surfer" emoji/picture, and one with a worried, red "Unsafe Surfer" emoji/picture.
  • Scenario cards (examples below).

Instructions:

  1. Introduce the Game (1 minute): "Now we're going to play a game called 'Safe Surfer, Unsafe Surfer!' I'll read some situations, and you'll decide if Sammy the Seal would think it's a 'Safe Surfer' thing to do or an 'Unsafe Surfer' thing to do!"

  2. Explain the Signs (1 minute): Hold up the "Safe Surfer" and "Unsafe Surfer" cards. "If you think it's safe, give a thumbs up or point to the 'Safe Surfer' card. If you think it's unsafe, give a thumbs down or point to the 'Unsafe Surfer' card."

  3. Read Scenarios (5 minutes): Read the following scenarios one by one. After each scenario, give students a moment to think and show their answer. Discuss briefly why it's safe or unsafe, reinforcing concepts from the story.

    • Scenario 1: Sammy is playing an online game, and a new friend asks for his full name and where he lives. (Unsafe)

      • Discussion: Why is it unsafe to tell a new online friend your full name and address? (Rule #1: Keep your secret stuff safe!)

    • Scenario 2: Olivia wants to watch a new cartoon online. She asks her mom seal first. (Safe)

      • Discussion: Why is it safe to ask a grown-up before going to a new website or watching something new? (Rule #2: Always ask a grown-up!)

    • Scenario 3: A grumpy crab sends Sammy a mean message saying his drawing is bad. Sammy tells his teacher shark. (Safe)

      • Discussion: What should Sammy do when someone is mean online? (Rule #3: Don't talk back, tell a grown-up, block them!)

    • Scenario 4: Sammy sees a pop-up that says "Click here to win a million fish!" He doesn't ask a grown-up and clicks it right away. (Unsafe)

      • Discussion: Why is it important to ask a grown-up before clicking on things that look too good to be true? (Rule #2: Always ask a grown-up!)

    • Scenario 5: Olivia is talking to her grandma online. Grandma asks what Olivia's favorite color is. (Safe)

      • Discussion: Is it okay to share some information with people you know in real life and who a grown-up says it's okay to talk to? (Yes, as long as it's not private information and a grown-up knows.)

  4. Wrap-Up (Optional): "Great job, everyone! You're all becoming super safe surfers! Remember these rules every time you go online."

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