Fake or True?
“Congratulations!!! 🎉 You’ve won a brand new iPhone 15! Click here to claim your prize: www.free-iphone-prizes.net. Hurry, only 1 day left!”
This is Fake! (Scam)
Too many exclamation marks and emojis.
Too-good-to-be-true prize.
Strange website link.
Pressure: “Hurry, only 1 day left!”
Text Message Example:
“Hi, this is a reminder from Maple Elementary. Don’t forget tomorrow is Picture Day! Please bring your form and payment envelope.”
Clues it’s real:
Clear sender (school name).
No “prize” or pressure.
Normal language and purpose.
📰 News Headline:
“Scientists Say Eating 100 Chocolate Bars a Day Makes You Smarter!”
Clues for students to notice:
Silly/too extreme to be true.
No real source or author.
Exaggerated claim.
📰 Headline (Kid-friendly):
“NASA’s New Telescope Sends Back First Pictures of Space”
Clues it’s real:
Credible source (NASA).
Normal language.
Exciting, but not unbelievable.
Email Example:
From: freegamesonline777@gmail.com
Subject: “Your Account Will Be Deleted – ACT NOW!”
Body: “Dear user, your account has a problem. Send us your password immediately or your account will be deleted. Reply NOW to fix this issue!”
This is fake!
Weird email address.
Threatening tone (“ACT NOW!”).
Asking for personal information (password).
Email Example:
From: library@mapleelem.edu
Subject: “Overdue Library Book Reminder”
Body: “Hello, this is a reminder that your book ‘Charlotte’s Web’ is overdue. Please return it by Friday to avoid a late fee. Thank you!”
Clues it’s real:
Professional email address.
Polite tone.
Normal request (no personal info asked).
📲 Post:
“Share this picture of a rainbow cat 🐱🌈 and you’ll have good luck for 10 years!”
Clues:
Silly claim.
No real proof.
Just trying to get shares.
📲 Post:
“📢 Maple Elementary Bake Sale this Saturday at 10am in the gym! All money raised helps buy new library books.”
Clues it's real!
Clear details (who, what, when, where, why).
Normal purpose.
From a trusted source (school).