Asking for Help Online

Active learning works for asking for help online because children need to practice the emotional response of reaching out in a safe space. Through role play and discussion, they connect feelings like 'wobbly' or 'scared' with concrete actions they can take immediately.

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

Learning Objectives

1. Identify at least three trusted adults at school and three at home who can provide help.
2. Explain in their own words why it is important to tell a trusted adult immediately if something online feels upsetting or unsafe.
3. Demonstrate through role-play how to approach a trusted adult and ask for help regarding an online experience.
4. Classify online scenarios as needing help from a trusted adult.

Role Play

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Role Play: The 'Wobbly' Feeling

Students practice a 3-step plan: 1. Close the lid/Turn off the screen. 2. Find a Trusted Adult. 3. Say, 'I saw something that made me feel wobbly.' They take turns being the child and the adult.

Prepare & details

What should you do if you see something on screen that makes you feel upset or scared?

Facilitation Tip: During the 'Wobbly Feeling' role play, provide a scripted line for the adult to say, 'You did the right thing by telling me. I’m so glad you came to talk to someone you trust.'

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

Inquiry Circle

⏱ 25 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Trusted Adult Tree

Students draw a tree and, on each leaf, write or draw a person they can talk to if they are worried (e.g., Mum, Teacher, Grandma). They compare trees in small groups to see how many 'helpers' they have.

Prepare & details

Who are the grown-ups you trust at school and at home?

Facilitation Tip: For the Trusted Adult Tree, use photos of real staff members so students connect names and faces immediately.

Setup: Groups at tables with access to source materials

Materials: Source material collection, Inquiry cycle worksheet, Question generation protocol, Findings presentation template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: To Tell or Not to Tell?

The teacher gives 'What If' scenarios (e.g., 'A pop-up ad appears with a scary face'). Students discuss with a partner whether they should keep it a secret or tell someone, and why telling is always the better choice.

Prepare & details

Why is it important to tell a grown-up straight away if something worries you online?

Facilitation Tip: In Think-Pair-Share, assign roles: 'teller' and 'listener,' and rotate so every child practices both sides of a conversation.

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

Teaching This Topic

Teachers should model calm, nonjudgmental responses to every concern a child raises. Avoid phrases like 'Don’t worry about it' or 'We’ll deal with it later.' Research shows that immediate, supportive reactions build trust and encourage future help-seeking. Keep language simple and repeat key phrases like 'tell an adult' across all activities.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students confidently naming trusted adults, sharing what makes them feel uneasy online, and demonstrating the habit of telling an adult rather than trying to fix problems alone. They should respond to scenarios with clear understanding of when to act.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the 'Wobbly Feeling' role play, watch for students saying they will get in trouble if they see something bad online.

What to Teach Instead

Prompt the adult character to respond with, 'I’m here to help you, not to tell you off. It’s always okay to come and talk to me about anything you see online.' Then restart the role play with this line included.

Common Misconception

During the 'Trusted Adult Tree' activity, watch for students saying they can just close the window and ignore upsetting content.

What to Teach Instead

Have the class add a speech bubble to their trees: 'Tell an adult if something makes you feel wobbly.' Place this bubble prominently on every branch.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

After the 'Trusted Adult Tree' activity, show pictures of a school playground and a home. Ask, 'Who are the trusted adults you might see here if you needed help?' Record each name on a sticky note and place it on the relevant tree branch.

Quick Check

During the Think-Pair-Share activity, present three scenario cards. Ask students to hold up a green card if it’s okay, red if they should tell. Note which students consistently choose to tell for scenarios involving sad or scary content.

Exit Ticket

After the exit-ticket drawing, collect papers and look for one trusted adult at school and one at home, each with a feeling word written below. A successful response includes both drawings and a positive emotion word.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge early finishers to write or draw an extra trusted adult not yet on the class list.
• Scaffolding: Provide picture cards of possible scenarios and let students point to the one that feels 'wobbly.'
• Deeper exploration: Invite a local police community support officer to Zoom in and reinforce trusted adult messages with real-world examples.

Key Vocabulary

Trusted Adult	A grown-up, like a parent, teacher, or family member, that you know and feel safe talking to about anything, especially if something online worries you.
Upsetting	Something that makes you feel sad, worried, or uncomfortable when you see it on a screen.
Scared	A feeling of fear or anxiety that something bad might happen, which can be triggered by something you see or experience online.
Wobbly	A feeling of uncertainty or nervousness, often used by children to describe when something online doesn't feel right or makes them feel uneasy.