Curriculum
Safety and Security Online: Grades 6-8
Savvy Online Talk and Messaging
Download Student Sheet(s) for printout in PDF format.
Read a Letter to Educators about Internet safety and security from CyberSmart!
Overview
Students explore the benefits of online talk and messaging and consider scenarios in which they might feel uncomfortable or be asked to give away private identity information. They identify situations in which flirting and sexual talk is risky and discuss safety rules to apply online.
Objectives
- Describe positive aspects of online talking and messaging.
- Identify situations in which flirting and sexual talk is risky.
- Recall rules for safe online talking and messaging.
ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students © 2007
Source: International Society for Technology in Education- Communication and Collaboration
- interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
- communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
- Digital Citizenship
- advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
- exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
Home Connection
Download the Home Connection sheet related to this lesson.
Site Preview
An optional strategy for using Web 2.0 tools with your students is recommended under Teach 4.
Materials
- Activity Sheets (2)
Introduce
- Ask: How would you handle it if someone tried to flirt with you on the street? Students may respond that it depends whether they know the person or not. They may also say it depends on whether the person is someone their own age or much older.
- Point out that they need to go through the same thought process when they are online.
Teach 1
- Distribute Activity Sheet 1.
- Have students read about Kaylee and Jason and write answers to the questions posed. Allow volunteers to share their responses. NOTE: Postpone discussion until students have read and applied the information on Activity Sheet 2.
- Invite students to share their own stories of feeling uncomfortable while talking or messaging online.
Teach 2
- Distribute Activity Sheet 2 for students to read and discuss.
- Make sure students understand that it is inappropriate for adults to flirt or exchange sexual messages with kids and teens—online or offline. NOTE: The latest research indicates that young adolescents can be the target of adults seeking offline sex, but the conventional wisdom that predators piece together private identity information to stalk unwilling targets is unfounded. In fact, most young people know when they are talking to adults online and recognize their sexual interests. Some young people may develop strong feelings for the adults that result in consensual offline meetings. Researchers indicate that the riskiest behavior for teens is to engage in sexual talk or to share provocative photos with adults they meet online.
- Make sure students fully understand the safety rules in the Be CyberSmart! box by asking them to make up a scenario in which each rule would be applied.
Teach 3
- Have students revisit Activity Sheet 1 and discuss how their answers
might be improved. Guide students to consider the following in their discussion.
- What made Kaylee feel uncomfortable? Kaylee felt uncomfortable when someone asked her to participate in sending sexual messages over the Internet. Sexual talk with people only known online is risky behavior. Flirting with people she does not know face to face is also risky, since it might encourage the person to pursue an offline sexual relationship.
- Kaylee might have assumed HipHopMike was her age because he liked the same music as she does. Realizing that he was an adult, she felt sick to her stomach. Make sure students understand that sexual activity—even online—between adults and young people is inappropriate.
- Is it okay for Jason to give his address? If Jason had been flirting or sending sexual messages to this person, it would be risky to give his address. If Jason has only talked about playing the game, he should ask his parents' permission before giving out his address.
- At what point should alarm bells go off in Jason's head? Like all kids who talk online, Jason should stay alert for people who steer talk and messages toward sexual topics.
- What are some ways Jason might respond to stay safe? Jason should sign off and block any further contact if someone he only knows online tries to engage in sexual talk or messaging. He should also ask a trusted adult for help.
Teach 4: Take Action
- Have students collaborate in writing a class letter to parents explaining that they know which online behaviors are risky, how to avoid them, and when to ask for help.
Use Web 2.0 tools, such as a wiki, to allow the class to collaborate online in contributing ideas and editing. Then publish the letter through a wiki or a class blog and invite parents to read it.
Assess
The following items assess student mastery of the lesson objectives.
- Ask: What are some positive reasons to talk and send messages online? (Answers will vary but may include to keep in touch with friends and family; to talk about music, games, hobbies, and sports.)
- Ask: In what online situations should your alarm bells go off to tell you that you are at risk? (when talk with people you know only online turns to sex)
- Ask: What are some rules for staying safe when talking and messaging online? (Stick to monitored chat, save private messaging for family and face-to-face friends, don't flirt or talk about sex with people you only know online, don't reply to anything that makes you uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult when someone bothers you online, never plan to meet a person you only know online without taking along a trusted adult)
Extend
- Students will benefit by revisiting this lesson each year.
- For students who completed this lesson in a previous grade, focus the discussion on the social networking profiles and blogs students may create for themselves. Point out that social networking profiles and blogs are not in and of themselves dangerous but that teens need to be careful how they use them. Challenge students to come up with a “Do” list of how to safely enjoy social networking and blogging and a “Don't” list of risky behaviors to avoid based on this lesson. NOTE: Reread note in Teach 2 above.
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.