# Lesson 252: Be kind when using devices

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section A — Technology Around Us

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## Objective

I can tell how to be kind when using devices. I can choose kind words, kind pictures, and kind turn-taking when I use phones, tablets, and computers.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Pencils, crayons, or markers
- Optional: simple emoji chart or stickers
- Optional: picture of a tablet or computer

## Mini-lesson — Being kind on screens

We use devices to talk, play and learn. The same kindness rules we use in real life also belong on screens.

Kind words on screens

- We can type words like "please", "thank you", and "good job".
- We do not type mean or teasing words.
- If we would not say it to someone's face, we do not type it.

Emojis and pictures

- Emojis can show kind feelings, like 😀 or ❤️.
- We do not use emojis to laugh at or hurt someone.
- We ask an adult before sharing photos.

Ask before photos and posts

- We ask: "Is it ok if I take your picture?"
- We ask an adult: "Is it ok if we share this?"
- We do not post pictures of other people without permission.

Sharing devices fairly

- We take turns on shared devices.
- We choose games everyone can play when we are together.
- We can say: "You can go next" or "Let's play together".

What to do if someone is unkind

- We can stop playing, step away from the screen, and tell an adult.
- We do not send mean messages back.
- Adults can help block, report, or change the game or chat.

Adults can say: "Devices are for learning, fun and kindness. We will model kind words, kind pictures, and kind choices when we use them."

Picture strip: "Kind on screens"

## Guided Practice — Kind or unkind on devices?

You and an adult will sort short device stories into kind and unkind.

1. On a page, draw a big T-chart. Label one side "Kind choices" and the other side "Unkind choices".
2. Read each story and decide where it belongs:
   - "You send a message that says 'Good game!' with a smile emoji."
   - "You laugh at someone in a group chat."
   - "You ask a friend: 'Can I take your picture?'"
   - "You post a picture of someone without asking."
3. Help your child place kind messages, asking permission and taking turns in the Kind choices column. Put laughing at others or posting without asking in the Unkind choices column.
4. Think of two more stories from your home or class (for example, sharing a tablet, or turning the sound down). Decide together where they belong.
5. Draw a green heart next to the kind side and a small stop sign next to the unkind side.
6. Practise saying: "On devices I use kind words, kind pictures and kind turns."
7. Finally, choose one unkind story and talk about how to fix it with a kinder choice next time.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — My digital kindness poster

Use this practice to help your child remember simple rules for being kind when using devices.

1. On a new page, help your child draw a big device (like a tablet or computer screen).
2. Inside the screen, write or trace the title: "Be kind on screens".
3. Add three small pictures that show digital kindness, such as:
   - a speech bubble with "Good job!"
   - two people taking turns on a tablet
   - a heart emoji or smile emoji
4. Under each picture, help your child write or trace a short rule, like: "Use kind words", "Take turns", or "Ask before photos".
5. Practise reading the poster aloud together: "When I use a device, I will use kind words, kind pictures and kind choices."
6. Decide where to put the poster (near a tablet area or computer) as a daily reminder.
7. During the week, point to the poster when you see a kind screen moment and say: "That was digital kindness!"

## Quick Check — Be kind when using devices

Answer each question about kindness on screens and sharing devices fairly.

1) Which message is the kindest to send after a game?

"You are bad at this." "Good game! That was fun." "I win. You are the worst."
Kind words help everyone feel good, even if they did not win.

2) Which emoji could show kind feelings?

😀 or ❤️ An emoji that laughs at someone in a mean way. An angry face sent over and over.
Smiling and heart emojis can send kind feelings.

3) What is a kind way to share a tablet with a friend?

Grab it and never give it back. Hide it so only you can play. Take turns and tell them when it is their turn.
Kind sharing means taking turns fairly.

4) What should you do before taking a picture of someone?

Take it without asking. Ask, "Is it ok if I take your picture?" Post it online right away.
Asking first shows respect and kindness.

5) A friend sends a mean message in a group chat. What is the best choice?

Send a mean message back. Laugh and join in. Stop, do not join in, and tell a trusted adult.
Adults can help you handle unkind behaviour online.

6) Which sentence matches this lesson?

"I should be kind online and offline." "I can say whatever I want on screens." "Kindness only matters in real life."
Kindness matters in messages, games and chats too.

7) What could you say if you want to be kind in a game with a friend?

"You can never play again." "Do you want a turn now?" "I will always go first."
Inviting others to take a turn shows digital kindness.

8) A picture of you is posted online and it makes you feel upset. What can you do?

Keep it a secret. Send mean pictures back. Tell a trusted adult and ask for help.
Trusted adults can help remove or report unkind pictures.

9) Which is a good kindness rule for using devices?

"Use kind words, kind pictures and kind turns." "Win every game, even if you are unkind." "Only your feelings matter online."
This lesson teaches simple rules for digital kindness.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make you stop using devices. To help you use devices in kind and fair ways. To teach you to win every game.
We want children to enjoy technology while being kind to others.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can give at least one example of kind words to use when sending messages or chats. Student understands that emojis and pictures can be used kindly or unkindly and can choose kind ones. Student knows to ask before taking or sharing photos of others. Student can describe how to share devices fairly (for example, by taking turns). Student knows to stop and tell a trusted adult if someone is unkind on a device.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can be kind when I use devices and share them with others. 🙂 I know some ways to be kind on screens but still need practice. 😅 Being kind on devices still feels tricky for me sometimes.

#### Next time I will practise…

Sending kind words or emojis Taking turns on shared devices Telling an adult if someone is unkind online
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