Good morning, everyone! My name is Kayla Cordo, and I teach at the Amista D.U. Language School. Today, we’re going to learn about the difference between friends we meet online and friends we know in real life.
How many of you use the internet at home? Do you chat online? Who do you chat with? Maybe friends or family members who live far away?
When we chat online, it can feel like we’re having a personal conversation, but it’s not the same as talking face-to-face. Let’s think about the differences between messaging a friend and messaging someone you don’t know. Can you see them? Maybe they have a picture, but is it really them?
Sometimes, people online might ask a lot of personal questions, which can feel strange. It’s important to be careful because you can’t always control who you’re talking to online.
Let’s read a story about a girl named SAA. She likes to visit a website where kids talk about school. She chats with someone using the name CJ Cool 11. Why do you think she feels uneasy when he asks for her school’s name?
If she tells him, he might try to find her school. What would you do in this situation?
Some of you might make up an excuse and tell a parent. That’s a smart choice!
It’s important to know what counts as personal information. Things like your address, full name, phone number, and your mother’s maiden name are personal. People might try to get this information for reasons like money.
Since learning about internet safety, many students have become more careful online. They understand that the internet is a tool that can be helpful but also risky if not used wisely.
I’m giving you a checklist and a contract with guidelines for safe online behavior. Ashley, can you share one of the rules?
One important rule is to choose screen names that don’t reveal personal information. It’s better to use a name like CJ Cool 11, which keeps your identity private.
Read through the contract, check off the boxes, and sign it. You can also share it with your parents.
If you ever feel uncomfortable talking to someone online, it’s best to stop chatting and block them. If someone you don’t know asks for personal information, tell an adult right away.
Remember, as long as you stay safe and don’t share personal information, you’ll be okay online.
Role-Playing Scenarios: Gather in small groups and create role-playing scenarios where one person pretends to be an online friend asking for personal information. Practice how to respond safely. Discuss with your group why it’s important to keep certain information private and how you felt during the role-play.
Internet Safety Poster: Create a poster that illustrates the key points of staying safe online. Use drawings, magazine cutouts, or printed images to show what personal information should not be shared. Display your poster at home or in the classroom to remind everyone about online safety.
Family Internet Safety Discussion: With the help of your parents, have a family discussion about internet safety. Share what you’ve learned in class and ask your family members how they stay safe online. Write down any new tips or advice you learn from them and bring it back to share with the class.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music]
Good morning, class! My name is Kayla Cordo, and I teach fifth grade at the Amista D.U. Language School. Today, we are going to talk about the difference between internet friends and real-life, face-to-face friends.
So, how many of you go online at home? How many of you chat? Who do you chat with? Friends? Family?
My friends and family that I rarely see, and family that are far away. Does anybody here ever talk to strangers?
My students use the internet for different reasons. I know they do things for school, but they also look at videos, download music, and chat online. When you have a conversation online with someone, it’s not very personal, but it can feel very personal.
So, what are the differences between messaging a friend and messaging someone you don’t know? Can you see them? Maybe they have a picture, but could that be their real picture? What are the warning signs that someone might be posing? They might ask you a lot of personal questions, and it can feel off.
Some of the issues that come from using media and the digital world for our students include the fact that you can’t always control who they are interacting with. I’m going to give you a handout where you’ll read a scenario about a young lady named SAA, who is talking to someone online that she doesn’t know.
Could someone read it for us so that we all know where we are?
SAA likes to visit a website where kids can post messages about school. She really likes the kid who uses the screen name CJ Cool 11.
Go ahead and talk among yourselves and answer: Why do you think she gets a bad feeling when he asks her the name of her school?
Maybe if she tells the person the name of her school, they might look for it.
What would you do in this situation?
I would make up an excuse and then tell my mom or dad.
Yeah, I would do the same. What about you, Gabby?
It’s not just about telling them not to do that; it’s about explaining the choices they have. This is what’s going to help you, and this is what’s going to harm you, and then you can choose. You’re empowered to choose.
What do you think SAA should say to CJ Cool 11?
I think she should just change the topic. I think that’s a good habit.
What counts as personal information?
Yes, Missani? Your address, full name, phone number, and your mother’s maiden name. They can track you down through things that are not really that common. You might think, “Oh, they’ll never find this,” but they will.
What other reasons could there be for someone wanting to get information?
Money.
Since they’ve been exposed to the curriculum, I’ve noticed a more mature attitude towards the internet. They know that it’s a tool and that it can be good, but it can also turn bad if you don’t use it the right way.
I’m going to give you a checklist; it’s also a contract that will have different ways in which you should behave online.
Ashley, what’s on that list?
I will pick chat and messaging screen names that do not include private identity information. That’s a big one, guys. Sometimes when we’re creating a name for ourselves online, we want to be honest and give our identity. Maybe you should create a name like CJ Cool 11, where that person remains anonymous.
So, with this contract I gave you, make sure you read through it, check off all the boxes, and sign it. You can share that with your parents as well.
I’ve learned that if you feel uncomfortable talking to someone online, then you shouldn’t talk to them at all. You should just block them. If I was online and someone I didn’t know asked for my personal information, I would go and tell an adult.
Okay, guys, so just remember: as long as you stay safe and don’t give any personal information to anyone out there, I think you’ll be okay.
[Music]
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the essence of the original content.
