# Lesson 248: Talk about how humans control technology

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

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## Objective

I can explain in simple words that humans control technology, tell who is in charge of devices, and say what to do when something on a device feels wrong or unsafe.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Pencils, crayons, or markers
- Optional: sticky notes for "pause and ask" reminders

## Mini-lesson — Humans are in charge of technology

Technology is any tool that uses electricity or computers to do jobs, like tablets, smart speakers, washing machines, or robots.

Humans are in charge

- People decide what the tool is for.
- People choose when to start a device.
- People choose when to pause or stop a device.

Technology can make mistakes

- Sometimes a device gives a wrong answer.
- Sometimes a video or message feels unkind or strange.
- That is why people need to check and decide.

Pause and ask

- If something on a device feels wrong, looks too silly, or makes you feel upset, you can pause.
- You can put the device down or press stop.
- Then you ask a trusted adult for help.

Who is in charge?

- We can ask: "Who is in charge right now, the person or the device?"
- It should be the person, not the device.
- People can set rules and limits for screens and apps.

Examples of humans controlling technology

- A parent sets a timer for video time.
- A teacher says, "Tablets away, eyes on me."
- You press pause on a video that feels strange and go tell an adult.

Adults can say: "The device is not the boss. We are in charge, and you can always pause and ask me if something feels wrong."

Picture strip: "People in charge of tech"

## Guided Practice — Who is in charge?

You and an adult will talk through short stories and decide who is in charge: the person or the device.

1. On a page, draw a simple chart with three rows. Label the chart: "Who is in charge?".
2. In the first row, write or draw: "Watching a video". Talk together: "Who should be in charge, the person or the video?" Circle the person.
3. In the second row, write or draw: "Playing a game". Ask: "Can the person press pause or stop?" If yes, circle person.
4. In the third row, write or draw: "Tablet asks you to keep playing". Talk: "Do we have to listen, or can we say 'no' and put it down?" Circle person.
5. Under the chart, help your child write one short sentence: "People are in charge of devices."
6. Practise a call and response. Adult says: "Who is in charge, the screen or you?" Child answers: "I am, with my adult."
7. Repeat with other ideas from your home or classroom (for example, music player, smart speaker, or game console), always circling that people stay in charge.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Pause, think, and ask

Use this practice to help your child remember that they can always pause, think, and ask an adult when using technology.

1. On a new page, draw three boxes in a row. Label them: "Pause", "Think", "Ask".
2. In the Pause box, draw a child tapping a pause button or putting a tablet down. Under the picture, write: "I can pause."
3. In the Think box, draw a little thought bubble with a question mark and a heart. Under the picture, write: "Does this feel right?"
4. In the Ask box, draw the child talking to a grown-up. Under the picture, write: "I will ask an adult."
5. Next to the three boxes, help your child write a short rule, such as: "If something on a device feels wrong, I pause, think, and ask."
6. Act out a practice story. The adult pretends to be a device showing a strange message. The child practises: pressing pause, thinking, and going to ask the adult for help.
7. Put the page near a device area as a reminder that humans control technology and can always ask for help.

## Quick Check — Humans control technology

Answer each question about who is in charge when we use technology.

1) Who should be in charge when you use a tablet or computer?

The device is always the boss. A person, like you with a trusted adult. No one is in charge.
People are in charge of technology, not the other way around.

2) What can you do if a video feels strange or unkind?

Pause or stop it and tell an adult. Keep watching and say nothing. Promise the device you will stay forever.
You can always pause and ask a trusted adult for help.

3) The game says, "Play more! Do not stop!" What is the best choice?

Obey the game and never stop. Hide the game from adults. Remember you are in charge, stop, and ask an adult if you can play more.
Games can ask, but people decide when to stop.

4) Which sentence is true?

Devices know everything and are always right. Devices can make mistakes, so people have to check and decide. Children must always do what a device says.
Technology is helpful, but people still need to think and check.

5) Who can help you make rules for using devices?

A stranger online. The device itself. A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher.
Adults and children can make screen rules together.

6) What does it mean to "pause and ask"?

Stop what you are doing and talk to an adult. Throw the device on the floor. Ignore your feelings and keep going.
Pausing and asking helps keep you safe when something feels wrong.

7) Your parent says, "Time is up, please turn the tablet off." What shows humans are in charge?

Arguing that the tablet should decide. Turning it off and putting it away. Letting the game decide when to stop.
Adults can set limits to show that people guide technology.

8) The best rule about who is in charge is:

The device is the boss of people. No one is in charge when we use screens. People are the boss of devices and can stop them.
Humans decide when and how to use technology.

9) What is a good sentence to remember from this lesson?

"Technology is a tool. Humans are in charge." "Screens should decide everything." "If a device asks, I must obey."
We want children to see technology as a helpful tool that people guide.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make devices more important than people. To help you remember that humans control technology and can always pause and ask. To stop you from using technology at all.
The goal is to feel confident and safe when using technology.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can explain in simple words that people control technology, not the other way around. Student can describe what to do if something on a device feels wrong, scary, or unkind. Student understands that they can always pause, stop, and ask a trusted adult for help. Student can name at least one screen rule (time limit, place to use, asking an adult). Student can answer the question "Who is in charge, the person or the device?" in practice examples.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I know that humans control technology and I can pause and ask. 🙂 I understand some ideas about who is in charge but still need practice. 😅 Remembering to pause and ask still feels tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Saying "I am in charge with my adult" when I use devices Pausing and asking an adult if something on a screen feels wrong Following our family or class screen rules
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