# Lesson 256: Report strange online behavior to an adult

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section B — Using Devices Safely

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## Objective

I can notice when something online feels strange or wrong, and I can use simple steps: stop, leave the screen, and tell a trusted adult.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Pencils, crayons, or markers
- Optional: sticky notes or small squares of paper
- Optional: simple drawing of a tablet or computer screen

## Mini-lesson — When to tell an adult about online behavior

Being online can be fun and helpful. Sometimes, things online can also feel strange, yucky, or confusing. When that happens, we tell a trusted adult.

What is strange online behavior?

- Messages from people you do not know.
- Someone asking for private information like your name, address, school, or password.
- Pictures, videos, or words that feel scary, mean, or yucky.
- Pop-up boxes that say "Click here" and you are not sure what they are.
- Someone telling you to keep a secret from adults.

3 steps: Stop — Leave — Tell

- Stop: Pause your hands. Do not click, type, or answer.
- Leave: Look away from the screen, or gently close the laptop or app if you know how.
- Tell: Go to a trusted adult right away and tell them what you saw.

Trusted adults who can help

- Parents or guardians
- Grandparents or carers
- Teachers or school helpers
- Another adult your family trusts

Things we do not have to do

- You do not have to fix strange screens by yourself.
- You do not have to keep strange messages a secret.
- You do not have to answer people who make you uncomfortable.

How adults can help

- They can close or block the screen.
- They can report bad behavior to a website or app.
- They can help you feel safe and calm again.

Adults can say: "If anything online ever feels wrong, you can always stop, leave the screen, and tell me. You are not in trouble."

Picture strip: "Stop, leave, tell"

## Guided Practice — "Safe or tell?" sort

You and an adult will sort simple online situations into "safe" and "tell an adult".

1. On a page, draw a big T-chart. Label one side "Feels safe" and the other side "Tell an adult".
2. On small pieces of paper or sticky notes, write or draw simple situations, such as: "A maths game your teacher showed you", "A stranger asks your name", "A silly but kind cartoon", "A scary picture".
3. Read each one together. Ask your child: "Does this feel safe or do we tell an adult?" Place the note in the matching column.
4. Make sure that things like strangers, secrets, scary or yucky messages go in the "Tell an adult" column.
5. At the bottom of the page, write the three steps: "Stop — Leave — Tell". Read them together.
6. Practise saying a strong sentence such as: "If something feels wrong online, I stop, leave, and tell you."
7. Keep the chart near your main device area as a gentle reminder.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — My "Tell an adult" plan

Use this practice to help your child remember who to tell and what to do when something online feels wrong.

1. On a new page, help your child draw a simple house and a school.
2. Next to the house, draw one or two trusted adults (for example, parents, grandparents). Underneath, write: "At home I tell…" and add names.
3. Next to the school, draw one or two trusted adults (for example, teacher, school helper). Underneath, write: "At school I tell…" and add names.
4. At the bottom of the page, draw three boxes in a row and label them: "Stop", "Leave", "Tell". Add a tiny picture in each.
5. Practise touching each box and saying: "Stop. Leave. Tell an adult." in a calm, strong voice.
6. Put the plan near a device area. Remind your child: "If something feels wrong online, follow your plan."
7. During the week, praise your child any time they come to you with a question about a screen. Say: "Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing."

## Quick Check — Report strange online behavior to an adult

Answer each question about strange online behavior and telling a trusted adult.

1) What should you do if a screen shows something that feels scary or yucky?

Keep watching it alone. Stop, leave the screen, and tell a trusted adult. Show it to all your friends first.
Strange or scary things online should be shared with an adult.

2) A message from someone you do not know says, "Tell me your name and where you live." What is the best choice?

Type all the answers. Ignore it and never tell an adult. Stop, leave the screen, and tell a trusted adult.
We do not share private information with strangers. Adults can help.

3) Which step comes first when something feels wrong online?

Stop using the device. Tell a stranger online. Keep clicking.
The first step is to stop your hands and pause.

4) After you stop, what is the next step?

Turn the sound up louder. Leave the screen by looking away or closing the app. Take a picture and send it to friends.
We move away from the strange screen before telling an adult.

5) Who is the best person to tell about strange online behavior?

A random person in a game chat. No one. Keep it a secret. A trusted adult, like a parent, carer, or teacher.
Trusted adults can help keep you safe online.

6) A friend says, "Do not tell your adults about this online video." What is a good response?

"If it feels wrong, I will tell my adults." "Okay, I will keep it secret." Say nothing and watch it alone.
We do not keep unsafe secrets from trusted adults.

7) Which sentence matches this lesson?

"I must fix all online problems by myself." "I can always tell an adult if something online feels wrong." "I should never talk about screens with adults."
Children should know they can always tell adults about online worries.

8) A pop-up appears that says, "Click here for a secret prize." You are not sure what it is. What should you do?

Click as fast as you can. Type your name and address. Stop, leave the screen, and tell a trusted adult.
Adults can check pop-ups and decide what to do.

9) Which list shows the three safety steps from this lesson?

Stop, leave, tell. Click, type, send. Hide, ignore, forget.
These are the steps to use when something strange happens online.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make you stay online alone all the time. To help you remember to tell a trusted adult when something online feels wrong. To stop you from ever using devices.
We want children to feel safe asking adults for help with online problems.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can name at least one example of strange online behavior that should be reported. Student can say the three steps: "Stop — Leave — Tell". Student can name at least one trusted adult at home and at school. Student understands that they do not keep unsafe secrets about screens from adults. Student knows they are allowed to ask for help any time something online feels wrong.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can tell what to do when something online feels strange or wrong. 🙂 I know some steps but still need practice remembering them. 😅 Online safety steps still feel tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Saying "Stop, leave, tell" when something feels wrong online Going to a trusted adult when I see a strange message or picture Talking with my family about our online safety rules
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