Lesson 256: Report strange online behavior to an adult

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section B — Using Devices Safely

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Objective

I can notice when something online feels strange or wrong, and I can use simple steps: stop, leave the screen, and tell a trusted adult.

Materials

Mini-lesson — When to tell an adult about online behavior

Being online can be fun and helpful. Sometimes, things online can also feel strange, yucky, or confusing. When that happens, we tell a trusted adult.

What is strange online behavior?

  • Messages from people you do not know.
  • Someone asking for private information like your name, address, school, or password.
  • Pictures, videos, or words that feel scary, mean, or yucky.
  • Pop-up boxes that say "Click here" and you are not sure what they are.
  • Someone telling you to keep a secret from adults.

3 steps: Stop — Leave — Tell

  • Stop: Pause your hands. Do not click, type, or answer.
  • Leave: Look away from the screen, or gently close the laptop or app if you know how.
  • Tell: Go to a trusted adult right away and tell them what you saw.

Trusted adults who can help

  • Parents or guardians
  • Grandparents or carers
  • Teachers or school helpers
  • Another adult your family trusts

Things we do not have to do

  • You do not have to fix strange screens by yourself.
  • You do not have to keep strange messages a secret.
  • You do not have to answer people who make you uncomfortable.

How adults can help

  • They can close or block the screen.
  • They can report bad behavior to a website or app.
  • They can help you feel safe and calm again.

Adults can say: "If anything online ever feels wrong, you can always stop, leave the screen, and tell me. You are not in trouble."

Picture strip: "Stop, leave, tell"

Guided Practice — "Safe or tell?" sort

You and an adult will sort simple online situations into "safe" and "tell an adult".

  1. On a page, draw a big T-chart. Label one side "Feels safe" and the other side "Tell an adult".
  2. On small pieces of paper or sticky notes, write or draw simple situations, such as: "A maths game your teacher showed you", "A stranger asks your name", "A silly but kind cartoon", "A scary picture".
  3. Read each one together. Ask your child: "Does this feel safe or do we tell an adult?" Place the note in the matching column.
  4. Make sure that things like strangers, secrets, scary or yucky messages go in the "Tell an adult" column.
  5. At the bottom of the page, write the three steps: "Stop — Leave — Tell". Read them together.
  6. Practise saying a strong sentence such as: "If something feels wrong online, I stop, leave, and tell you."
  7. Keep the chart near your main device area as a gentle reminder.
Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: As you trace, say a sentence such as "If something online feels wrong, I stop, leave, and tell an adult."

Practice — My "Tell an adult" plan

Use this practice to help your child remember who to tell and what to do when something online feels wrong.

  1. On a new page, help your child draw a simple house and a school.
  2. Next to the house, draw one or two trusted adults (for example, parents, grandparents). Underneath, write: "At home I tell…" and add names.
  3. Next to the school, draw one or two trusted adults (for example, teacher, school helper). Underneath, write: "At school I tell…" and add names.
  4. At the bottom of the page, draw three boxes in a row and label them: "Stop", "Leave", "Tell". Add a tiny picture in each.
  5. Practise touching each box and saying: "Stop. Leave. Tell an adult." in a calm, strong voice.
  6. Put the plan near a device area. Remind your child: "If something feels wrong online, follow your plan."
  7. During the week, praise your child any time they come to you with a question about a screen. Say: "Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing."

Quick Check — Report strange online behavior to an adult

Answer each question about strange online behavior and telling a trusted adult.

1) What should you do if a screen shows something that feels scary or yucky?

Strange or scary things online should be shared with an adult.

2) A message from someone you do not know says, "Tell me your name and where you live." What is the best choice?

We do not share private information with strangers. Adults can help.

3) Which step comes first when something feels wrong online?

The first step is to stop your hands and pause.

4) After you stop, what is the next step?

We move away from the strange screen before telling an adult.

5) Who is the best person to tell about strange online behavior?

Trusted adults can help keep you safe online.

6) A friend says, "Do not tell your adults about this online video." What is a good response?

We do not keep unsafe secrets from trusted adults.

7) Which sentence matches this lesson?

Children should know they can always tell adults about online worries.

8) A pop-up appears that says, "Click here for a secret prize." You are not sure what it is. What should you do?

Adults can check pop-ups and decide what to do.

9) Which list shows the three safety steps from this lesson?

These are the steps to use when something strange happens online.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

We want children to feel safe asking adults for help with online problems.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

Next time I will practise…

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