Student Handout — Digital Money (Week 7)
Take This Home
This handout summarizes what we learned in Week 7. Share it with your family!
What Is Digital Money?
Digital money is any way of paying that does not use physical cash. Instead of handing someone coins or bills, the money moves electronically — through a card, a phone, or the internet.
Common Types of Digital Payments
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Debit card | Takes money directly from a bank account right away |
| Credit card | Lets you buy now and pay later (with interest if you wait too long) |
| Mobile payment | Uses a phone app to pay — like tapping your phone at a store |
| Online payment | Typing in card information or using a service to pay on a website |
The Three Digital Safety Rules
Memorize these three rules and use them every time you are online:
1. STOP
Pause before you click, tap, or buy anything online. Do not rush.
2. CHECK
- Is this website or app real? Look for signs it is trustworthy.
- Is this message from someone you know? If not, be extra careful.
- Does this seem too good to be true? It probably is.
3. PROTECT
Never share these without a trusted adult's permission:
- Your full name
- Your address or school name
- Passwords
- Payment information (card numbers, bank details)
Red Flags to Watch For
Be suspicious if you see any of these:
- ❌ "You won a prize!" (but you never entered a contest)
- ❌ "Click here immediately or you'll lose your account!"
- ❌ "Enter your password to claim your reward"
- ❌ A website URL that looks slightly wrong (like "amaz0n.com")
- ❌ Someone you don't know asking for personal information
Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Digital payment | Paying without physical cash — using cards, phones, or the internet |
| Transaction | Any exchange of money for goods or services |
| Debit card | Card that takes money from your bank account immediately |
| Credit card | Card that lets you buy now and pay later |
Talk About It at Home
Here are some questions to discuss with your family:
- What kinds of digital payments does our family use?
- Have you ever seen a suspicious message or website? What happened?
- What should I do if someone online asks for personal information?