Chapter 3 - Online Safety

Section 1: What is Online Safety?

Introduction to Online Safety

The internet is a place where people can play games, watch videos, and learn new things. Just like in real life, we need to follow certain rules when we use the internet. These rules help keep us safe while we explore online.

Online safety means making good choices when you are on the internet. It helps protect you from harm and keeps your personal information private. Think of it as wearing a helmet when you ride your bike—it’s there to keep you safe!

Real-Life vs. Online World

In the real world, you know to follow safety rules like not talking to strangers or looking both ways before crossing the street. These rules help keep you safe in your daily life.

The internet is like a big world too, but instead of roads and cars, it has websites and apps. To stay safe online, you need to follow different rules. For example, just like you wouldn’t tell a stranger your address in real life, you shouldn’t share personal information online.

By understanding the difference between the real world and the online world, you can be safe no matter where you are!

Practice Exercises

Exercise

List two safety rules you follow in real life (e.g., looking both ways before crossing the street).

Now, list two rules you should follow online to stay safe (e.g., not sharing your address online).

Compare: How are real-life safety and online safety similar?

Section 2: Personal Information: What to Keep Private

What is Personal Information?

Personal information is any detail about you that makes it easy for someone to know who you are. This could include things like:

• Your full name
• Where you live (your address)
• Your phone number
• The name of your school
• Your birthday

Just like you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them all about yourself, you shouldn’t share personal information online. When you share this information, people you don’t know could use it in ways that aren’t safe for you.

How to Protect Personal Information

When you’re online, it’s important to keep your personal information private. There are some things you should never share, even if a website, game, or person asks for it. Here are some simple ways to protect your information:

• Don’t share your full name: Instead of using your real name, create a fun username like “SoccerStar123” or “PandaLover2024.”
• Don’t give away where you live: If a game or website asks for your address, ask a parent or teacher for help.
• Be careful about photos: Ask permission before sharing any photos of yourself. Some pictures can show too much personal information.

The best way to stay safe is to always ask a trusted adult—like a parent, guardian, or teacher—before giving out any information online. They can help you decide if it’s okay or not.

By keeping your personal information private, you protect yourself from strangers and stay safe online!

Practice Exercises

Exercise

Look at the following list and circle the information you should NOT share online:

Your favorite color Your full name Your school’s name Your pet’s name Your address

Create a safe username for an online game using only fun words or nicknames (no personal information).

Section 3: Talking to People Online

Strangers Online

Just like in the real world, you can meet people online. Some of them might be friends or family members, but others could be people you don’t know. These people are called strangers. A stranger online might try to talk to you, and sometimes they pretend to be someone they’re not. Even if someone acts friendly, if you don’t know them in real life, they are still a stranger.

It’s important to remember that not everyone online is who they say they are. Someone might pretend to be a kid like you, but they could be an adult trying to trick you. That’s why it’s always safer to talk only to people you already know.

Talking Only to People You Know

When you’re on the internet, it’s best to chat only with people you know, like friends, family members, or teachers. Even in games or on social media, stick to talking with people you trust. If someone you don’t know tries to start a conversation with you, don’t answer them. Instead, tell a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult right away.

Here are some important tips:

• Don’t add strangers as friends: If someone sends you a friend request or message and you don’t know them, don’t accept it.
• Don’t share personal details with people online: Even if someone seems nice, you should never tell them things like your real name, where you live, or what school you go to.
• Always ask an adult for help: If someone you don’t know tries to talk to you, let a trusted adult know. They can help you handle the situation.

By sticking to conversations with people you know and trust, you can enjoy being online while staying safe!

Practice Exercises

Exercise

Read the following scenarios and decide if it’s safe or not safe. Circle your answer.

You get a friend request from someone you don’t know. (Safe / Not Safe)

You receive a message from your classmate asking for help with homework. (Safe / Not Safe)

Someone online asks where you live, and you tell them. (Safe / Not Safe)

Bonus: What should you do if a stranger tries to talk to you online? Write down the steps.

Section 4: Safe and Responsible Internet Use

Being Kind and Respectful Online

Just like in real life, it’s important to be kind and respectful when you’re online. The internet is a place where you can talk to friends, play games, and learn new things, but how you treat others online matters.

Being kind online means:

• Using polite words when chatting or leaving comments.
• Saying nice things to people, just like you would in person.
• Thinking about how your words might make someone feel before you post them.

Sometimes, people might say or do mean things online. This is called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet to hurt others by saying mean things or spreading unkind messages. Just like bullying in real life, cyberbullying can hurt feelings and make others feel bad.

Here’s how you can avoid cyberbullying:

• If someone says something mean, don’t say mean things back. Instead, tell an adult.
• If you see someone being bullied online, don’t join in. You can help by telling a teacher or parent.
• Always be kind, even when you’re behind a screen. It makes the internet a nicer place for everyone!

What to Do if Something Makes You Uncomfortable

The internet is full of new and exciting things, but sometimes you might see or read something that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared. It’s important to know what to do in these situations.

Here’s what you can do if something online makes you feel uneasy:

1. Stop what you’re doing. If you see a website, picture, or message that feels wrong, close it right away.
2. Don’t respond to messages or comments that make you feel bad or worried. Just ignore them.
3. Tell a trusted adult like your parent, teacher, or guardian. They can help you decide what to do next and keep you safe.

Remember, it’s always okay to ask for help if something online doesn’t feel right. Staying safe means knowing when to get help from the adults you trust.

Practice Exercises

Exercise

Imagine you’re playing a game online, and someone says something mean to you. What would you do? Write down two actions you would take.

Bonus: Write one kind message you could send to a friend online. Think about how you can make them smile!

Section 5: Protecting Your Devices

Basic Rules for Device Safety

Just like you take care of your toys and school supplies, it’s important to take care of the devices you use, like iPads, computers, or phones. Keeping your devices safe helps them last longer and protects the information inside them. Here are some simple rules to follow:

1. Don’t share your passwords: Your password is like the key to your house—it keeps your stuff safe. Never tell anyone your password except your parents or teachers. If someone knows your password, they could use it to mess with your accounts or steal your information.

2. Don’t click on strange links: Sometimes, you might get messages or see ads online that tell you to click on a link. Be careful! If the link looks weird or you don’t know who sent it, don’t click on it. It could take you to a dangerous website that tries to steal your information.

3. Keep your device in a safe place: When you’re done using your device, make sure to put it away safely. Don’t leave it lying around where it could get broken or lost.

Why It’s Important to Log Out

When you finish using an app, game, or website, it’s important to log out—especially if you’re using a shared device, like a family computer or a school tablet. Logging out helps keep your information safe from anyone who uses the device after you.

Here’s why logging out matters:

• If you don’t log out, someone else could get into your account and change things without you knowing.
• Logging out protects your privacy, especially if you’re using a device that other people can access.

Make it a habit to log out of your accounts when you’re done. This small step keeps your information and accounts safe from anyone who shouldn’t have access to them!

By following these simple rules, you can keep your devices and information safe while using the internet.

Practice Exercises

Exercise

Check off the things you should do to keep your device safe:

• Share your password with friends.
• Log out when you’re done using an app.
• Click on every link you see.
• Tell your parents if something seems strange online.

Bonus: Write down one way you can protect your device from getting broken.

Vocabulary Review

Term	Definition
Internet	A global network that helps people connect, play, and learn.
Online Safety	Making smart choices to stay safe while using the internet.
Personal Information	Important details like your name, address, or school that should stay private.
Stranger	Someone you don’t know in real life, even if they seem nice online.
Cyberbullying	When someone is mean or hurtful to others through messages or comments online.
Password	A secret word that keeps your accounts safe.
Username	A fun name you create to use on websites or games without giving personal info.
Log Out	Signing out of a website or app to keep your information safe.
Device	An electronic tool like a tablet or computer that you use to go online.
Link	A clickable word or picture that takes you to another page on the internet.
Trusted Adult	A parent, teacher, or guardian who helps keep you safe online and in real life.
Privacy	Keeping your personal information safe from people you don’t know.