Staying Safe Online

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is designed for Year 8 students (ages 12-13), focusing on developing knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to stay safe when using the internet and digital technologies. It aligns closely with the National Curriculum for England: Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) statutory guidance, specifically addressing the theme of health and wellbeing within the computing and online safety context.

Curriculum Links

PSHE Association Programme of Study – Health and Wellbeing (Years 7 and 8):
- “how to manage risk in different situations including personal safety (in and outside school), and online.”
- “how to manage requests for images of themselves or others.”
- “how data is generated, collected, shared and used online, including for commercial purposes.”
Computing key stage 3 (National Curriculum, England) (to integrate e-safety):
- “Understand the opportunities computer networks offer for communication and collaboration.”
- “Recognise the dangers of some content and contact online, and understand how to report concerns.”

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

Identify common online risks including privacy breaches, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.
Describe strategies for protecting personal information and maintaining privacy online.
Demonstrate understanding of consent concerning sharing images and information online.
Use appropriate reporting tools and support networks when encountering unsafe online situations.
Reflect critically on the consequences of their digital footprint.

Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Resources	Outcomes/Assessment Focus
0-5m	Introduction: Icebreaker & Context Setting	Whiteboard, marker	Engage attention, activate prior knowledge; set tone for open discussion.
5-15m	Scenario Exploration: Risk Spotting	Printed scenario cards (5 short online safety dilemmas), worksheet	Students identify risks and discuss feelings/reactions – formative assessment of understanding online risks.
15-25m	Interactive Quiz: Myth or Fact?	Prepared quiz on mini whiteboards or tablets (5 questions)	Reinforce knowledge on privacy, consent, sharing images, and data use; immediate feedback.
25-35m	Role-play Activity: Reporting and Response	Role-play cards, ‘safe words’ prompt sheet	Students practise reporting concerns confidently; peer and teacher observation for communication skills and understanding.
35-43m	Digital Footprint Reflection	Reflection worksheet with guiding questions	Individual written reflection to consolidate learning about long-term online impact.
43-45m	Plenary & Takeaway Message	Teacher-delivered key points, ‘top tips’ handout (printable)	Recap key messages; students articulate one safety tip to remember (verbal or written).

Detailed Activities

Introduction (0-5 mins)

Pose a quick question: “What do you already know about staying safe online?”
Write answers on the board.
Establish ground rules for respectful discussion, emphasising confidentiality and kindness.

Scenario Exploration (5-15 mins)

Hand out different short scenarios such as:
- Receiving a friend request from a stranger.
- Being asked to share a photo of yourself.
- Seeing a message that makes you feel uncomfortable.
In pairs, students discuss the risks and possible responses, then share their ideas.
Teacher clarifies misconceptions and deepens understanding by linking to real risk factors.

Interactive Quiz (15-25 mins)

Present statements (e.g., “It’s okay to share your password with close friends,” “You can’t control what happens to your photos once shared”).
Students hold up “Myth” or “Fact” on mini whiteboards/tablets.
Discuss reasoning after each statement, challenging myths and confirming facts.

Role-play Activity (25-35 mins)

Students are allocated roles (e.g., student, trusted adult, online friend).
Given a situation (e.g., someone is cyberbullying you), they practice reporting or responding using confident language and ‘safe words’ (like ‘help’, ‘stop’).
Peer feedback focuses on clarity and honesty in communication.

Digital Footprint Reflection (35-43 mins)

Prompt questions:
- “What does your digital footprint say about you?”
- “What are some positive and negative consequences of sharing information online?”
Students write personal reflections; teacher reviews to inform next steps or targeted support.

Plenary & Takeaway (43-45 mins)

Teacher summarises key points with emphasis on empowerment and responsibility.
Each student shares one new learning point aloud or writes it on a sticky note to display.
Distribute a concise “Top Tips for Staying Safe Online” leaflet for students to take home.

Assessment & Differentiation

Formative assessment through questioning, scenario discussions, quiz responses, and observation during role-plays.
Written reflections serve as an evidence base for individual understanding.
Differentiation:
- Provide sentence starters for reflection for learners who need support.
- Use peer support in scenarios and role-plays.
- Extend via challenge questions for more confident learners (e.g., discussing commercial data use).

Resources Needed

Printed online safety scenarios (age-appropriate, based on recent e-safety cases)
Mini whiteboards and pens or tablets/laptops with quiz software
Role-play prompt cards with scripts or guiding questions
Reflection worksheets (printed for students)
“Top Tips” takeaway leaflets (printable handouts)
Whiteboard and markers

Additional Notes

Remind students that online safety is ongoing and school safeguarding leads are available.
Suggest parents/carers could be informed via a newsletter about this focus to reinforce discussions at home.
Consider linking this lesson to the wider computing curriculum and local initiatives for internet safety.

This lesson plan uses engaging, participatory methods tailored to a small class to foster openness and build confidence around online safety — all carefully mapped to National Curriculum expectations for PSHE.

Teaching Instructions