Chapter 3: Staying Safe While Communicating

Staying Safe While Communicating 🔒🛡️

Why Safety Matters Online

The internet is a fun place to play games, learn new things, and talk to friends. But just like you lock your front door at home to stay safe, you also need to protect yourself online. Not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. That’s why netiquette includes rules about safety.

Personal Information Stays Private

One of the most important safety rules is: Never share personal information online.

This includes:

Your full name
Your address
Your school’s name
Your phone number
Your passwords

Why is this important? If you give out too much information, strangers could use it in ways that are not safe. Just like you wouldn’t tell a random person on the street where you live, you shouldn’t share that online either.

Sometimes, it’s hard to know what is okay to share. Here are examples:

✅ Safe Sharing	❌ Unsafe Sharing
”I love reading adventure books."	"I live on Oak Street, and my library is across the road."
"Math is my favorite subject at school."	"I go to Little Flower School, and my teacher’s name is Mrs. Smith.”

If you’re not sure, ask yourself: Would I say this to a stranger? If the answer is no, then don’t share it online.

Strangers on the Internet

Not everyone online is your friend. Sometimes people pretend to be kids when they are not. If someone you don’t know sends you a message, asks you personal questions, or makes you feel uncomfortable, the best choice is to ignore them and tell a trusted adult.

It’s always okay to say “no” and to stop talking to someone who makes you feel uneasy.

Asking a Trusted Adult

When in doubt, ask for help. Trusted adults can be your parents, teachers, or another grown-up you know well. They can help you decide what is safe to share and what is not.

Part of good netiquette is knowing when to ask for guidance.

Vocabulary

Term	Definition
Personal Information	Details about yourself, like your name, address, or school.
Password	A secret code used to protect your accounts.
Stranger	Someone you don’t know or trust.
Trusted Adult	A grown-up you can count on for help and safety.
Privacy	Keeping personal information safe and controlling what others can see about you.

Reflection Question 💭

Why do you think it’s unsafe to share your home address or school name online? What could a stranger do with that information?

Activity: Safe or Not Safe? 🤔

Work with your class or partner to decide if each example is Safe to Share or Not Safe to Share. Be ready to explain your reasoning!

“My favorite color is blue.”
“My phone number is 555-1234.”
“I think science is the best class!”
“I walk home from school every day at 3:30.”
“I live at 123 Main Street.”
“I enjoy playing soccer on weekends.”

Knowledge Check ✅

What is personal information?
- a) Your favorite color
- b) Your full name, address, or password ✓
- c) Your favorite animal
- d) The name of your best friend
What should you do if someone online asks for your phone number?
- a) Give it to them quickly
- b) Ignore them and tell a trusted adult ✓
- c) Ask your friend to reply
- d) Share it on your profile
Who is a trusted adult?
- a) A stranger in a game
- b) Someone you met online
- c) A parent, teacher, or guardian ✓
- d) A classmate you barely know
Which is safe to share online?
- a) “I live on Oak Street.”
- b) “My school is Little Flower.”
- c) “I like reading mystery books.” ✓
- d) “My password is fun123.”
What should you do if something online feels wrong?
- a) Keep it a secret
- b) Close your device quietly
- c) Tell a trusted adult ✓
- d) Ignore it and move on