Curriculum

Safety and Security Online: Grades 4-5

Private Information

Download Student Sheet(s) for printout in PDF format.

Read a Letter to Educators about Internet safety and security from CyberSmart!

Overview

By examining and identifying actual online requests for private information, students learn to apply the same safety rules in cyberspace as they use when encountering strangers in the face-to-face world.

Objectives

Identify private information
Recall that private information should not be given out in cyberspace without permission of a parent or teacher
Give examples of how Web sites request private information

National Educational Technology Standards for Students © 2007

Source: International Society for Technology in Education

Digital Citizenship
1. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
2. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.

Home Connection

Download the Home Connection sheet related to this lesson.

Site Preview

Materials

Activity Sheets (2)
Online computer access
Printer access

Introduce (offline)

Ask: Have you ever been asked for information about yourself in cyberspace?
Explain that today students will learn a safety rule to use in such situations.

Teach 1 (offline)

Distribute the activity sheets.
After reading the introduction on Activity Sheet 1, have students role-play the scenario described. Ask: What clues tell you that sharing private information might be okay in this situation? (They are with their parents; their parents know everyone there; their parents introduced them.)

Teach 2 (offline)

Discuss each type of private information in the chart, making sure students understand each category. NOTE: CyberSmart recommends that students under 13 not give out any information that will reveal their identity without first getting permission from a teacher, parent, or guardian.
After students read “Use the Rule” discuss the fact that many students know more about using the computer than their parents. Point out that this fact makes it even more important that they be responsible in cyberspace.
When students read “A Few Words About Passwords,” reiterate that it is a safe idea to tell parents their passwords.

Teach 3 (online)

Have students follow the directions under "Take the Rule into Cyberspace" to go to www.becybersmart.org/students, click on the green triangle, and locate the links for this lesson. You can go to the same page as the students by clicking Student Links in the left navigation of this page. Allow students to explore, answering the questions.
Have them print examples of the Web pages, highlight or circle the requests for private information, and post them in a display.

Assess (offline)

The following items assess student mastery of the lesson objectives.

Direct students' attention to the display of private information requests found on Web sites.
Ask: What is the safety rule to remember when you find pages like these? (Always ask permission of a parent or teacher before giving private information in cyberspace.)

Extend (online)

The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson in a previous grade.

Direct students to search online for youth-oriented Web sites that ask for private information. Instruct students to print out each page they find that requests such information and share these pages with classmates.

Cyber Safety and Security Awareness Activities for Your School, Families, and Community

Extend this classroom lesson with activities that will support a cyber safety and security awareness campaign for your school, families, and community.

includes strategies for using interactive online Web 2.0 tools.

CyberSmart! Online Workshops

Find out about earning continuing education and graduate credits with facilitated CyberSmart! Online Workshops.

Free CyberSmart! Educator Toolbar

Save time. Search smart. Access essential information resources for educators. Download the free CyberSmart! Educator Toolbar. It's always on your desktop at home and/or at school.