Staying Safe Online

Active learning works for online safety because young students learn best through concrete, social interactions. Role plays and discussions let them practice safety rules in a low-stakes setting where mistakes become teachable moments rather than risks.

• Year 1
• Technologies
• 3 activities
• 15 min–25 min

Learning Objectives

1. Identify personal information that should be kept private.
2. Explain why asking a trusted adult for permission is important before using new digital tools.
3. Demonstrate kind and respectful communication when interacting online.
4. Classify online interactions as safe or unsafe based on given scenarios.

Role Play

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Role Play: The 'Ask First' Rule

Students act out scenarios where they want to use a tablet or download a new game. They practice the exact words they would use to ask a parent or teacher for permission.

Prepare & details

Justify why we should ask a grown-up before using a new app.

Facilitation Tip: During the Role Play, assign clear roles and pause after each scenario to ask, 'What should we do next?' to keep students engaged in decision-making.

Setup: Open space or rearranged desks for scenario staging

Materials: Character cards with backstory and goals, Scenario briefing sheet

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Secret or Share?

The teacher names an item (e.g., 'your name', 'your favourite colour', 'your home address'). Students think if it's a 'secret' or okay to 'share', then discuss why with a partner.

Prepare & details

Differentiate between information that is okay to share and what should be kept secret.

Facilitation Tip: In the Think-Pair-Share, circulate and listen for pairs who justify their choices with phrases like, 'We need permission because...'.

Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor

Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Gallery Walk

⏱ 25 min·Whole Class

Gallery Walk: Kind Kids Online

Display pictures of kids using tech in different ways. Students walk around and put a 'thumbs up' sticker on pictures where the children are being kind, safe, or helpful.

Prepare & details

Explain how we can be kind to others when we are using a computer.

Facilitation Tip: For the Gallery Walk, provide sticky notes so students can add anonymous comments or questions to peers' work.

Setup: Wall space or tables arranged around room perimeter

Materials: Large paper/poster boards, Markers, Sticky notes for feedback

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Teaching This Topic

Start with the concrete: use everyday objects to represent data (e.g., a photo of a favorite toy versus a key that opens the front door). Avoid abstract rules early on. Research shows that when young children connect safety practices to familiar contexts, they internalize the habits more reliably.

What to Expect

Students will demonstrate understanding by correctly applying the 'ask first' rule, distinguishing private from public information, and suggesting kind responses during digital scenarios. Clear, simple language shows their grasp of the safety toolkit.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Role Play activity, watch for students who treat online strangers the same as friends. Redirect by saying, 'Remember, we only talk to people we know in real life. How will your character respond?'

What to Teach Instead

During the Think-Pair-Share activity, if students suggest sharing addresses or last names, point to the 'Secret or Share' sorting cards and ask, 'Is this something that glitters and spreads? What should we do instead?' Use the analogy to make the permanence of digital information clear.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After the Role Play activity, present three scenario cards (e.g., 'A stranger asks for your age in a game chat'). Students hold up green or red cards and explain their choice to a partner.

Discussion Prompt

During the Think-Pair-Share activity, ask pairs to share one thing they would never share online and one kind thing they could do if they see unkind behavior. Record their ideas on the 'Being Kind Online' chart.

Exit Ticket

After the Gallery Walk activity, give each student a sticky note to write one private thing they learned not to share online and one kind action they can take. Collect these as they exit to assess understanding.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge: Provide scenario cards with mixed messages (e.g., 'A friend asks for your pet’s name'). Ask students to sort cards into 'ask first' and 'safe to share' piles.
• Scaffolding: Use picture cards with words for students who are still developing literacy to identify private vs. public information.
• Deeper exploration: Have students create a class poster of 'Our Online Safety Rules' with illustrations and simple captions they can share with families.

Key Vocabulary

Personal Information	Details about you that should not be shared with strangers online, such as your full name, address, or phone number.
Trusted Adult	A grown-up, like a parent or teacher, who you can talk to if something online makes you feel worried or confused.
Digital Footprint	The traces you leave behind when you use the internet, like messages or pictures. It's important to leave a kind and positive footprint.
Online Kindness	Being polite, respectful, and considerate to others when communicating or playing games on a computer or tablet.