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Internet Safety

Internet Safety

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Purpose

Learn how to recognize and avoid online threats to your personal safety and information.

Description

Invite an expert in online safety to teach your group how to recognize predators, deal with cyberbullying, avoid identity theft, and stay safe from other dangers like malware and phishing. Talk about how the Spirit can help you avoid problems online.

After the discussion, play a game to reinforce the principles learned. For example, write questions such as the following on separate cards (you may want to work with the expert beforehand on questions):

  • What should I do if someone I met online wants to meet me in person?

  • How should I respond to an unkind or threatening text from someone I know?

  • How can I recognize a fake message on social media or in email (a message that looks like it came from a friend but really didn’t)?

  • How can I protect my device from viruses or other malware?

  • What should I do if I think someone found out my password?

Put all the cards in a bag and have participants sit in a circle. Give the bag to one participant who then draws a question from the bag and answers it. The bag goes from person to person until all have had a chance to answer or the questions are gone.

More Ideas

  • Spread the word—Divide participants into small groups. Give each group a large piece of paper and colored markers or crayons. Invite them to create a poster highlighting an important aspect of online safety. Invite each group to share their poster and talk about the aspect of online safety they highlighted.

  • Answer hunt—Play this game in a large room. Before the activity, create a set of questions and answers about internet safety (see the main activity for ideas). Write all the questions on one page. Write each answer on a separate piece of paper and put each one somewhere in the room (for instance, taped to a wall, placed on a table, and so forth). Read each question, and have participants take turns looking for the answer.

  • Teach to learn—As a group, create a lesson on internet safety which you can give to another group (such as a younger class). Decide what points you will cover and find interesting ways to share those points. Consider using object lessons (for example, posting something online is like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. Once it’s out, it is almost impossible to get it back into the tube).

  • Appearance and reality—Before the activity, make two cakes. Make one normally, and make the other one with some incorrect ingredients, like extra salt or not enough sugar. Frost the normal cake with normal frosting, and frost the other cake with something that looks like frosting but isn’t (for instance, sour cream). Ask participants to cut the second cake and serve it to the group. When group members notice that the cake doesn’t taste normal, point out that the cake looks normal. Make the comparison that things online are not always what they seem to be, and give examples. Explain ways to recognize things or people online that aren’t what they seem to be. At the end, serve the good cake.

  • Internet safety fair—Hold an internet safety fair with booths planned and staffed by youth. Cover topics such as being a good internet citizen, avoiding identity theft, protecting your device, and so forth. Find interesting and fun ways to present these topics. Consider inviting other youth groups, branch or ward members, or community members.

Discussion

Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

  • Why do you think it is important to learn about internet safety?

  • When has the Spirit helped you stay safe online?

  • What thoughts or impressions do you have about avoiding potentially dangerous situations online?

  • How can you apply what you are learning in your life?

Related Resources

Sabbath Day Lessons

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