Safe Surfing Introduction

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 7 students to the concept of e-safety within the "Safe Surfing Strategies" unit. Students will explore online risks such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and inappropriate content, reflecting the National Curriculum for England’s Computing Programme of Study for Key Stage 3. The lesson combines direct teaching with interactive discussions and activities to ensure students grasp how to protect themselves online.

Curriculum Links

National Curriculum Reference (Computing, KS3):

Understand online safety and security including the impact of online behaviour and the risks involved.
Use technology safely, respectfully, and responsibly recognising acceptable/unacceptable behaviour.
Understand acceptable use policies and how to report concerns about content and contact.

RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) National Guidelines:

Developing safe, respectful relationships online.
Recognising and managing risks in different contexts, including online communication.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Define e-safety and explain why it is important.
Identify common online risks such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and inappropriate content.
Explain basic strategies to protect themselves while using the internet.
Discuss examples of safe and unsafe online behaviours.

Success Criteria:

Students confidently share examples of online risks.
Students suggest at least two methods for staying safe online.
Students participate actively in group discussions and activities.

Resources Needed

Whiteboard and markers
Projector and computer for slideshow or video
Printed scenario cards describing different e-safety situations
“Safe or Unsafe?” activity sheets per student
Exit ticket slips

Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

Activity: Quick whole-class brainstorming

Write “E-Safety” on the whiteboard.
Ask students to shout out what words or ideas they associate with e-safety.
Record responses such as “passwords,” “cyberbullying,” “privacy,” “stranger danger,” etc.
Briefly clarify or expand on terms if needed.

Teacher Notes:
This primes prior knowledge and sets the tone for the lesson, making the concept relevant and accessible.

2. Introduction & Direct Teaching (15 minutes)

Content:

Use a simple presentation to define e-safety: “Keeping yourself safe and making good choices online.”
Introduce three main online risks with relatable examples:
- Cyberbullying (name-calling, exclusion, sending harmful messages)
- Identity Theft (someone stealing personal info, like passwords)
- Inappropriate Content (images, videos, or messages not suitable for young people)

Interactive Element:

Show a short video clip or illustrated story (3-4 minutes) illustrating one risk, such as cyberbullying, tailored to Year 7 understanding.
Pause for quick questions.

Teacher Notes:
Link this directly to the National Curriculum objective of recognising online risk and understanding consequences.

3. Group Activity: Scenario Exploration (20 minutes)

Divide the class into groups of 5-6 students.
Give each group a card describing an e-safety scenario (e.g., receiving a mean message, a stranger asking for personal information, encountering inappropriate content).
Task: Discuss what’s happening, identify risks, and decide how to respond safely.
Each group shares their scenario and solutions briefly with the class.

Teacher Scaffold:
Prompt groups with questions like:

What are the risks here?
Who could you tell or ask for help?
How could you protect yourself next time?

4. Individual Activity: Safe or Unsafe? (10 minutes)

Distribute "Safe or Unsafe?" worksheet listing different online behaviours (e.g., sharing your password, ignoring mean comments, meeting online friends in person).
Students tick safe or unsafe and write one sentence explaining their choice.

Teacher Notes:
This consolidates learning and checks individual understanding of safe online behaviour aligned with statutory guidance on safe, respectful online use.

5. Plenary and Formative Assessment (5 minutes)

Exit Ticket:

Each student writes one new thing they learned about e-safety and one question they still have on a slip of paper.
Collect these for formative assessment to guide future lessons.

Whole-class wrap up:

Summarise key points, reinforcing importance of e-safety.
Remind students that help is always available from teachers, parents, or trusted adults.

Differentiation

Provide sentence starters or prompts for students needing support during discussions and worksheets.
Challenge more able students to explain how different risks might overlap or escalate and suggest deeper protection strategies (e.g., two-factor authentication).
Provide visual aids and clarify terminology for EAL learners and students with additional learning needs.

Assessment Opportunities

Observation during group discussions for participation and understanding.
Review of “Safe or Unsafe?” worksheet answers.
Exit ticket responses to assess knowledge gain and address any misconceptions.

Extension Ideas

Encourage students to create an e-safety poster or digital infographic to share key strategies.
Set a home challenge for students to discuss e-safety rules with family members and bring back one helpful tip.

This lesson sets a strong foundation for subsequent sessions on privacy settings, secure passwords, and managing digital footprints, building confident and responsible digital citizens.

Teaching Instructions