Personal Safety Unit - Level 5

Today you will be learning about personal safety when online.

This unit consists of four mini lessons. The PPT covers all lessons in the unit, with a spacer slide between the lessons.

The Plan

• Safeguarding Your Identity Online: Screen Names and Passwords

• Protecting Personal Information

• Online Strangers, Predators, and the Grooming Process

• Online Personal Safety Review and Action

Lesson 1Safeguarding Your Identity

Online:Screen Names and Passwords

Cyberspace

What is Cyberspace, and how do we get there?

What are some of the ways we communicate in Cyberspace?

Online ID – What can you tell?

Directions: Look at the user names below. As a class, brainstorm what each says about the person who chose it. Then put the names in order from least informative to most informative.

1. Jessica4dance2. Smithstealshome3. Bayareababe4. dancinfun5. Fred14

Discussion

Think about your own screen name. What does it say about you?

When you choose a screen name you want something that allows you to remain anonymous, or unknown. Don’t include personal information.

Why do you think you shouldn’t include personal information?

What are some of the dangers?

Screen Names

Screen names should never contain or refer to:– first and/or last name– address– phone number– date of birth (complete or partial) or age– social security number– email address– combinations of personal information such as listed

above – combinations of personal information such as listed

above plus descriptions such as (but not limited to ) gender, school name, favorite sport, favorite celebrity, family member names

codysm

ith@aol.c

om

marcy14inSanFr

an

tiger1234

Password Protection Directions: Look at the information about each person

below. What are some common and obvious guesses as to what their passwords might be? Brainstorm a list for each one.

 1. John – John lives in the Tampa Bay area where the Bucs play.

He is a really big fan. He loves football.

2. Jessica – Jessica loves all the popular music groups. She is head over heels in love with Justin Timberlake.

3. Ali – Ali is afraid to forget her password. She wanted something simple she could always remember.

Discussion

Think about your own password. - Is it something obvious? - Could someone easily guess it? - Does anyone else know it?

When someone knows or can guess your password you could be in trouble. This allows them access to you. They could pretend to be you.

What types of dangers are involved when others know or can guess your password?

Passwords

Follow these rules for creating a safe passwords:• be lengthy – at least 8 characters • contain a combination of letters, numbers,

and symbols• be changed when its secrecy is in doubt

– should not contain personal information – should not be shared– should not be easily guessed– should not be provided in an email, even if

requested

Remember

• It is important to select safe and secure screen names and passwords.

• Think about it: What should you NEVER reveal in either?

• Think about it: What is your screen name and password? Do you think you need to change it? Why/Why not?

Lesson 2Protecting Personal

Information

Make sure you have a copy of the resource page to review:

The FBI Internet Safety Tips

i-SAFE’s 4’R’s

RECOGNIZEREFUSERESPONDREPORT

Never give out personal information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. (Includes IMs, blogs, etc.)

Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared, even if you or your parents know who they are.

The FBI Internet Safety Tips

Do not meet someone you have only met on the Internet without the permission of your parents. That includes having them visit you.

Tell your parents right away if you read anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.

The FBI Internet Safety Tips

Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.

Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.

Brainstorm

        Why do students feel safe on the Internet?

        What are some dangers on the Internet?

        What are some good things on the Internet?

        How can you stay away from the dangerous things?

One-way to stay safe, is to avoid revealing any

information about oneself online Never tell anyone:

Your name Address

        Phone number      Age

       Gender       Family Names        School        Never give a stranger your picture

These are all considered to be identifying or personal information.

Lesson 3Online Strangers, Predators, and the Grooming Process

Talk About It

• How many of you use the internet?

• How many of you go online alone?

• What do you like to do online?

• Is it your intention to be talking to adults while online?

• How do you know if someone is your own age when online?

Strangers

What is your definition of a stranger?

What are common rules/advice for dealing

with strangers in the physical world?

Online PredatorsSome people lie about who they are and what

they want on the Internet for various reasons.

Sometimes it is to steal an identity or to bully.

Other times it is to meet children and teens to form an inappropriate relationship. These people are known as online predators.

Predators and Prey

KEY point: A predator is one who stalks or uses lies, secrecy, or stealth, to get close enough to another person in order to easily hurt or harm them.

KEY point: One who is a victim or one who is vulnerable to victimization by a predator is prey.

How do these terms apply to the online environment?

Minimize Dangers

• Choose screen name carefully

• Don’t reveal information online

• Choose people to communicate with online carefully

• No matter what – Tell an adult if you are made to feel uncomfortable online.

Tell an adult if you are approached by someone who discusses inappropriate things or wants to meet you offline.

Review

• Anyone met online is a stranger.

• What are the steps a predator uses to groom a potential victim?

• It is important to avoid revealing personal information online so that you are not targeted by strangers online.

• It is important to report online strangers that make you feel uncomfortable, ask for personal information, or request a face to face meeting.

Lesson 4Online Personal Safety

Review and Action

Cyber Bullying Sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital media source.

The Facts:• The Internet is a tool used to bully• People feel removed from what they say online

– they feel anonymous.• Unexpected participants – anyone can join in.• 1 in 5 youth will be faced with a hurtful or mean

message while online.

Identity Theft

The Facts:• Posting personal information online makes it

available for others to steal.

• With your personal information, someone can pretend to be you – use your credit card or bank account to buy things that you don’t know about.

• Personal information can also be stolen from you if you respond to emails from strangers.

A Little Prevention…

Prepare yourself - Many online problems can be avoided or dealt with safely. Keep in mind the 4 R’s

RECOGNIZE REFUSE RESPOND REPORT

That’s a wrap!

You now know the tips and tools that can help keep you safe online! Just remember, when you’re online you aren’t invincible.