Teaching kids what information is okay to share online.

📚 Lesson Plan: Sharing Safely Online

This lesson will equip students with the knowledge to make safe choices about what information they share online, protecting their privacy and well-being.

🎯 Objectives

• ✅ Identify types of personal information.
• ⚠️ Understand the risks of oversharing online.
• 🛡️ Learn strategies for protecting personal information.
• 👍 Develop critical thinking skills for online interactions.

📝 Materials

• 💻 Computer/Tablet with internet access
• 🖍️ Whiteboard or projector
• 📃 Handout with scenarios (provided below)
• ✏️ Pens/Pencils

🚀 Warm-up (5 minutes)

Discussion: Ask students what types of things they like to share online (e.g., favorite games, hobbies). Then, gently introduce the idea that some information is best kept private.

🛡️ Main Instruction

Part 1: What is Personal Information? (10 minutes)

Define personal information and provide examples.

• 🆔 Definition: Personal information is data that can identify you.
• 🔑 Examples: Name, address, phone number, school, birthday, passwords, photos.

Part 2: Why is it Important to Protect Personal Information? (15 minutes)

Discuss the potential risks of sharing personal information online.

• 👾 Cyberbullying: Sharing too much information can make you a target for bullies.
• 🎣 Phishing: Scammers can use your information to trick you.
• 👤 Identity theft: Someone could pretend to be you online or in real life.
• 📍 Stalking: Sharing your location can put you in danger.

Part 3: Rules for Sharing Information Safely (15 minutes)

Provide guidelines on what information is okay to share and what should be kept private.

• 👍 Okay to share: General interests (e.g., "I like playing video games"), favorite color, pets (without specific names).
• ⛔ Never share: Full name, address, phone number, passwords, photos with your school's name, vacation plans.
• ❓ When in doubt: Ask a trusted adult (parent, teacher) before sharing anything.

Part 4: Scenarios and Discussion (15 minutes)

Present the following scenarios and discuss as a class:

1. Scenario 1: You are asked for your password on a gaming website. What do you do?
2. Scenario 2: Someone you met online asks for your address so they can send you a gift. How do you respond?
3. Scenario 3: You want to post a picture of your school soccer team. Is that okay? What should you consider?

✅ Assessment

Have students answer the following questions in writing or as a class discussion.

Quiz Questions:

1. 🛡️ What is personal information? Give three examples.
2. ⚠️ Why is it important to protect your personal information online?
3. 👍 What are some things that are generally safe to share online?
4. ⛔ What are some things you should never share online?
5. ❓ What should you do if someone online asks you for personal information?
6. 🤝 Who can you talk to if you're unsure about sharing something online?
7. 📸 Is it safe to post a picture of your house online? Why or why not?