Lesson 248: Talk about how humans control technology

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section A — Technology Around Us

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Objective

I can explain in simple words that humans control technology, tell who is in charge of devices, and say what to do when something on a device feels wrong or unsafe.

Materials

Mini-lesson — Humans are in charge of technology

Technology is any tool that uses electricity or computers to do jobs, like tablets, smart speakers, washing machines, or robots.

Humans are in charge

  • People decide what the tool is for.
  • People choose when to start a device.
  • People choose when to pause or stop a device.

Technology can make mistakes

  • Sometimes a device gives a wrong answer.
  • Sometimes a video or message feels unkind or strange.
  • That is why people need to check and decide.

Pause and ask

  • If something on a device feels wrong, looks too silly, or makes you feel upset, you can pause.
  • You can put the device down or press stop.
  • Then you ask a trusted adult for help.

Who is in charge?

  • We can ask: "Who is in charge right now, the person or the device?"
  • It should be the person, not the device.
  • People can set rules and limits for screens and apps.

Examples of humans controlling technology

  • A parent sets a timer for video time.
  • A teacher says, "Tablets away, eyes on me."
  • You press pause on a video that feels strange and go tell an adult.

Adults can say: "The device is not the boss. We are in charge, and you can always pause and ask me if something feels wrong."

Picture strip: "People in charge of tech"

Guided Practice — Who is in charge?

You and an adult will talk through short stories and decide who is in charge: the person or the device.

  1. On a page, draw a simple chart with three rows. Label the chart: "Who is in charge?".
  2. In the first row, write or draw: "Watching a video". Talk together: "Who should be in charge, the person or the video?" Circle the person.
  3. In the second row, write or draw: "Playing a game". Ask: "Can the person press pause or stop?" If yes, circle person.
  4. In the third row, write or draw: "Tablet asks you to keep playing". Talk: "Do we have to listen, or can we say 'no' and put it down?" Circle person.
  5. Under the chart, help your child write one short sentence: "People are in charge of devices."
  6. Practise a call and response. Adult says: "Who is in charge, the screen or you?" Child answers: "I am, with my adult."
  7. Repeat with other ideas from your home or classroom (for example, music player, smart speaker, or game console), always circling that people stay in charge.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "Humans are in charge of technology, not the other way around."

Practice — Pause, think, and ask

Use this practice to help your child remember that they can always pause, think, and ask an adult when using technology.

  1. On a new page, draw three boxes in a row. Label them: "Pause", "Think", "Ask".
  2. In the Pause box, draw a child tapping a pause button or putting a tablet down. Under the picture, write: "I can pause."
  3. In the Think box, draw a little thought bubble with a question mark and a heart. Under the picture, write: "Does this feel right?"
  4. In the Ask box, draw the child talking to a grown-up. Under the picture, write: "I will ask an adult."
  5. Next to the three boxes, help your child write a short rule, such as: "If something on a device feels wrong, I pause, think, and ask."
  6. Act out a practice story. The adult pretends to be a device showing a strange message. The child practises: pressing pause, thinking, and going to ask the adult for help.
  7. Put the page near a device area as a reminder that humans control technology and can always ask for help.

Quick Check — Humans control technology

Answer each question about who is in charge when we use technology.

1) Who should be in charge when you use a tablet or computer?

People are in charge of technology, not the other way around.

2) What can you do if a video feels strange or unkind?

You can always pause and ask a trusted adult for help.

3) The game says, "Play more! Do not stop!" What is the best choice?

Games can ask, but people decide when to stop.

4) Which sentence is true?

Technology is helpful, but people still need to think and check.

5) Who can help you make rules for using devices?

Adults and children can make screen rules together.

6) What does it mean to "pause and ask"?

Pausing and asking helps keep you safe when something feels wrong.

7) Your parent says, "Time is up, please turn the tablet off." What shows humans are in charge?

Adults can set limits to show that people guide technology.

8) The best rule about who is in charge is:

Humans decide when and how to use technology.

9) What is a good sentence to remember from this lesson?

We want children to see technology as a helpful tool that people guide.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

The goal is to feel confident and safe when using technology.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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