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Digital Habits and Safety Quick Reference

This page is a quick-reference guide for the safety, privacy, and good-habit ideas woven throughout the curriculum. It's written so facilitators can review it easily, and portions can be shared or discussed with learners as appropriate.

The approach here is practical and empowering, not fear-based. The goal is helping kids develop judgment, not anxiety.

The Golden Rule​

When in Doubt, Talk It Out

If something online feels confusing, weird, uncomfortable, or "too good to be true" — talk to a trusted adult. This is not getting in trouble. This is being smart.

Passwords and Accounts​

  • Passwords are private. Don't share them with friends or other kids.
  • Use passwords that are hard to guess. A good password is not your name, birthday, or "1234."
  • Create accounts with adult help. Kids ages 8–12 should set up accounts together with a parent or facilitator.
  • Never enter a password on a website you didn't expect to visit. If a popup asks you to log in and you're not sure why, close it and tell an adult.
  • If you think someone else used your account, tell an adult right away.

Personal Information​

Some information is fine to share. Some should stay private.

Okay to ShareKeep Private
Favorite color or animalFull name + where you live together
A drawing or story you madeHome address or phone number
What you're learning aboutSchool name + location
Your first name (in many contexts)Passwords
Opinions about topicsPhotos of your face + identifying info

The simple rule: If the information could help a stranger find you in real life, it stays private. Ask an adult if you're not sure.

Recognizing Tricks Online​

Not everything on the internet is honest. Here are some common tricks to recognize:

Ads That Look Like Content​

Search engines and websites often show ads that look almost the same as real results or content. Look for small labels like "Ad" or "Sponsored." When in doubt, skip it and look at the next result.

Clickbait​

Headlines that seem dramatic, shocking, or impossible are often clickbait — designed to get clicks, not to inform you. Examples:

  • "You won't BELIEVE what happened next!"
  • "This one trick will change EVERYTHING!"
  • "Scientists are SHOCKED!"

What to do: Pause. Ask yourself, "Is this trying to inform me, or just trying to get me to click?"

Fake Download Buttons​

Some websites show big colorful "Download" buttons that are actually ads or tricks. The real download link is usually smaller and less flashy.

What to do: Don't click the biggest, brightest button. Look carefully, or ask an adult for help.

Suspicious Popups​

A popup that says you've "won something," that your computer is "infected," or that you "need to update right now" is almost always a trick.

What to do: Don't click anything in the popup. Close it (click the X), or close the whole browser tab. Tell an adult.

Permission Prompts​

Websites sometimes ask for permission to send notifications, use your camera, or access your location.

What to do: Say "No" or "Block" unless you and a trusted adult have decided together that it's okay.

Stranger Awareness Online​

Just like in the physical world, not everyone online has good intentions. This isn't scary — it's just practical.

  • Comments, chats, and messages from people you don't know should be treated with caution. You don't have to respond.
  • If someone online asks where you live, what school you go to, or wants to meet you, that's a situation to tell an adult about immediately.
  • People online may not be who they say they are. Someone who says they're a kid might not be. This is why adults should be involved.
  • You are never in trouble for telling an adult about something uncomfortable that happened online.

Is This Information Real?​

The internet has amazing real information and also a lot of wrong, misleading, or manipulated content. Here is how to think about it:

Ask These Questions​

  1. Who made this? A museum, school, or news organization? Or is the author unknown?
  2. Why was it made? To teach, to sell, to entertain, or to trick?
  3. Does it match what other sources say? If something sounds unbelievable, look for a second source.
  4. Is it recent? Old information might be outdated.

Remember​

  • Polished doesn't mean true. A professional-looking website can still contain wrong information.
  • Images and videos can be edited or created by AI. Just because you see a photo doesn't mean it really happened.
  • Strong emotions are a warning sign. Content designed to make you very angry, very scared, or very excited is sometimes trying to manipulate you rather than inform you.

Good Daily Habits​

These are small habits that make a big difference over time:

  • Save your work often. Use Ctrl+S / Cmd+S. It takes one second and prevents losing work.
  • Name your files clearly. "Dog Drawing" is better than "Untitled" or "asdfasdf."
  • Close things you're done with. Close tabs and apps you're no longer using to keep things tidy.
  • Ask before installing anything. Check with an adult before downloading or installing software.
  • Take breaks. Step away from the screen every 30–45 minutes. Stretch, look around, move.
  • Keep your workspace organized. A tidy My Projects folder makes it easy to find what you need.
  • When something goes wrong, stay calm and observe. What changed? What do you see? What did you click? Then try one thing at a time.

Quick Reference for Facilitators​

Use these reminders to reinforce safety naturally during lessons:

MomentWhat to Say
Learner encounters a popup"What do you see? Does it look like something the website meant to show, or does it feel unexpected? When in doubt, close it."
Learner finds a search result that's an ad"See that little 'Ad' label? That means someone paid to put this here. Let's look at the regular results below it."
Learner wants to create an account"Let's do this together. I'll help you choose a good username and password."
Learner sees something confusing or upsetting"Thank you for telling me. That was the right thing to do. Let's look at it together."
Learner is about to share personal info"Let's pause and think — is this something we want to share with this website? What could happen if we did?"
Learner encounters a flashy download button"Which button do you think is the real one? Sometimes the biggest, brightest button is actually an ad."

For More Information​