Welcome to Internet Safety for Kids! The internet is an amazing place full of fun games, cool videos, and ways to learn new things. But just like crossing the street or swimming in a pool, you need to know some safety rules first. In this course, you will learn how to explore the online world while staying safe, protecting your personal information, and knowing exactly what to do if something ever feels wrong. You are going to become a super-smart internet explorer!
In This Guide
- The Internet Is Amazing AND Requires Care
- Personal Information: What to Never Share
- Strangers Online: The Safety Rules
- What to Do If Something Feels Wrong
- Safe Searching and Browsing
- Passwords: Your Digital Lock
- Asking a Trusted Adult for Help
- Being a Safe and Kind Internet User
- Key Takeaways
- Next Steps
What You'll Learn
- Understand that the internet is wonderful but requires safety rules, just like the real world
- Know exactly which personal details should never be shared online
- Recognize the difference between safe and unsafe interactions with strangers online
- Feel confident about what to do when something online feels wrong or scary
- Use safe searching and browsing habits every time you go online
- Create and remember strong passwords to keep accounts secure
- Know when and how to ask a trusted adult for help with online situations
- Practice being a kind, respectful, and safe member of the online community
1. The Internet Is Amazing AND Requires Care
Discover all the wonderful things the internet can do — from learning about dinosaurs to video-calling grandma — while understanding that, just like a playground, it has rules to keep everyone safe.
The internet connects people all around the world and lets us learn, play, and create amazing things
Just like real life, the online world has safe places and places that are not safe for kids
Following internet safety rules helps you have more fun because you can explore without worry
Being careful online is not about being scared — it is about being smart and prepared
Try This Activity
Draw a picture of your favorite thing to do on the internet on one side of a piece of paper. On the other side, draw yourself wearing a superhero cape with the words 'Internet Safety Hero' — because that is exactly what you are becoming!
2. Personal Information: What to Never Share
Learn which details about yourself are private and should never be shared online with anyone you do not know in real life, including your name, address, school, and phone number.
Personal information includes your full name, address, phone number, school name, and birthday
Sharing private details online can let strangers find you in real life, which is not safe
Even fun quizzes or games that ask for personal info can be tricks to collect your data
It is always okay to say no or leave a website that asks for your private information
Try This Activity
Make a 'Personal Info Lock Box' list. Write down five pieces of information about yourself that you should NEVER share online. Decorate the list like a treasure chest and put it near your computer as a reminder!
3. Strangers Online: The Safety Rules
Understand that people online are not always who they say they are, and learn clear safety rules for how to handle messages or friend requests from people you do not know.
Anyone can pretend to be someone else online — a grown-up could pretend to be a kid your age
Never agree to meet someone in person that you only know from the internet
If a stranger online asks you to keep a secret from your parents, that is a big warning sign
It is never rude to ignore, block, or report someone online who makes you uncomfortable
Try This Activity
Play 'Who Is Behind the Screen?' with a family member. Take turns pretending to be different people in a chat (a kid, a grandparent, a dog!) to show how easy it is to pretend to be someone else online. Talk about why this means we need to be careful.
4. What to Do If Something Feels Wrong
Learn to trust your gut feelings and know the exact steps to take if you see something upsetting, scary, or confusing online — because your feelings are your best safety alarm.
Your body gives you signals when something is wrong — a funny feeling in your tummy or wanting to look away
If something online makes you feel scared, confused, or uncomfortable, it is never your fault
The three steps are: stop what you are doing, close the screen, and tell a trusted adult right away
You will never get in trouble for telling a grown-up about something upsetting you saw online
Try This Activity
With a parent or guardian, create a 'Safety Action Plan' card. Write the three steps (Stop, Close, Tell) and the names of three trusted adults you can go to. Keep the card somewhere you can always find it.
5. Safe Searching and Browsing
Learn how to use search engines and websites safely, including how to use kid-friendly search tools, how to spot unsafe websites, and why clicking random links can be risky.
Kid-friendly search engines like Kiddle and KidRex filter out unsafe content to keep you protected
Websites with lots of pop-ups, flashing ads, or too-good-to-be-true offers are usually not safe
Never click on a link from someone you do not know — it could lead to a bad website or a virus
If you are not sure whether a website is safe, ask a trusted adult before clicking
Try This Activity
Try a safe searching adventure! Use a kid-friendly search engine to look up three things you are curious about (maybe your favorite animal, a country you want to visit, or how rainbows are made). Notice how it only shows safe results!
6. Passwords: Your Digital Lock
Discover why passwords are so important and learn how to create strong, memorable passwords that keep your accounts and personal information safe from anyone who should not have access.
A password is like a key to your house — if someone else has it, they can get into your stuff
Strong passwords use a mix of letters, numbers, and are at least eight characters long
Never share your password with friends, only with your parents or guardians
Using the same password for everything is like using one key for every door — if someone gets it, they get into everything
Try This Activity
Create three silly sentences and turn them into passwords using the first-letter trick. For example, 'I love 5 fluffy dogs a lot' becomes 'Il5fdal'. Write them down and show a parent which accounts each one is for!
7. Asking a Trusted Adult for Help
Learn that asking a grown-up for help with online situations is always the right choice, how to pick your trusted adults, and practice having those conversations so they feel natural and easy.
Trusted adults can be parents, guardians, teachers, school counselors, or other family members you feel safe with
You should have at least two or three trusted adults you can go to about online problems
There is no online problem too small or too embarrassing to talk about with a trusted adult
Practicing how to start the conversation makes it much easier when you actually need to do it
Try This Activity
Write down the names of your three trusted adults. Then practice saying this sentence out loud: 'Something happened online that I want to talk to you about.' Role-play the conversation with a family member so it feels comfortable.
8. Being a Safe and Kind Internet User
Bring together everything you have learned and make a personal pledge to be a safe, kind, and responsible internet user who helps make the online world better for everyone.
Being safe online means protecting yourself AND being kind to others at the same time
The Golden Rule applies online too — treat people the way you want to be treated
You can help make the internet a better place by being an example of kindness and safety
Reviewing your safety skills regularly keeps them fresh and strong in your mind
Try This Activity
Create your own 'Internet Safety Pledge' on a piece of paper or poster board. Write at least five promises to yourself about how you will stay safe and kind online. Sign it, date it, and hang it near your computer or tablet!
Key Takeaways
- Understand that the internet is wonderful but requires safety rules, just like the real world
- Know exactly which personal details should never be shared online
- Recognize the difference between safe and unsafe interactions with strangers online
- Feel confident about what to do when something online feels wrong or scary
- Use safe searching and browsing habits every time you go online
Take the Full Interactive Course
This guide covers the highlights. The full course includes voice narration, interactive quizzes, reflection exercises, and a completion certificate.
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