Safety
If you use the same password for all your accounts and one gets hacked, what could happen?
Hackers could access all your accounts, so it is recommended to use different passwords for each account.
Your social media app asks to access your phone's location. What should you do?
Deny request. Only allow location access if necessary and understand that sharing your location can put your privacy at risk.
You notice you are feeling sad or anxious after spending a lot of time on social media. What is a step you can take to feel better?
Take a break from social media, talk to someone you trust, and spend time doing activities you enjoy offline.
Someone in your online game starts asking personal questions about your school and family. What should you do?
Do not answer personal questions, block or mute the person, and tell a trusted adult.
Someone you met online asks you to keep your conversations secret from your family. What should you do about this?
This is a red flag; always tell a trusted adult if someone asks you to keep secrets online.
Why is "BlueSky123" a better password than "Password123," and how could you make it even stronger?
"BlueSky123" is less common. To make it stronger, you can add symbols (e.g., !@$) and mix upper and lower case (e.g., Blu3$ky!23)
You want to post about an event you attended. What details should you avoid sharing?
Avoid posting the exact location, time, or any information that could reveal your daily routine or where you will be.
Remember that people often only post their best moments. Everyone has ups and downs.
What is the safest things to do if someone you play online games with wants to video chat or meet in person?
Never agree to video chat or meet with someone you only know from online gaming, and tell a trusted adult if someone asks you to do these things.
You receive a message from someone who says they are a friend of your friend, but you don't recognize their profile picture or name. What steps can you take?
Check with your friend if they know the person, do not reply until you are sure, or talk to a trusted adult.
A new online friend asks for your address to send you a birthday gift. What is the safest response?
Politely refuse and never share your address with people you meet online.
You're upset with a friend and want to post about it online. What is a different way to handle the situation?
Talk to your friend privately and calmly about your feelings instead of posting online.
You notice you are spending several hours each night online and feel tired at school. What can you do?
Set a limit for screen time (there are screen time apps, such as Opal, that block other apps for set times)
You feel frustrated after losing a game and want to send an angry message to another player. What is a different choice you can make?
Take a break, calm down, and avoid sending angry messages.
You notice someone is pretending to be you online. What steps should you take?
Report the fake account, tell a trusted adult, and ask friends not to interact with the fake account.
You are setting up a new social media account. The app asks you for your name, birthday, and location. Which information should you provide, and which should you keep private?
Use only your first name or a nickname, do not share your full birthday or exact location. Only provide information that is required or safe.
Why should you be careful about what you post online, even if you delete it later?
Once something is posted, it can be copied, shared, or saved by others and may stay on the internet forever.
What is something you can do if you notice that spending time online or gaming is making you feel stressed, sad, or tired?
Take a break from screens, spend time with friends or family, do something you enjoy (play games, read, listen to music, go outside, do arts or crafts, or try a new hobby), and make sure you are getting enough rest and physical activity.
How can you keep your personal information safe while playing online games?
Use a nickname instead of your real name and never share details like your age, school, or address.
You read an article online that seems unbelievable. How can you check if it's true?
Look at trusted websites or check with an adult, and see if other reliable sources report it.
You get a message saying your account has been hacked and to "click this link to reset your password." What should you do first?
Do not click the link. Go directly to the official website or app to check your account and change your password if needed.
Why is it important to think about both your privacy and other people’s privacy before posting something online?
Posting photos or information about others without their permission can invade their privacy or embarrass them, and sharing too much about yourself (e.g., location, daily routine, contact details, or private thoughts) can also put your own safety and privacy at risk. It may allow strangers to learn about you and can lead to scams, identity theft, or bullying.
What are warning signs that you might be using social media too much?
You are neglecting responsibilities, you feel anxious when not online, you feel more irritable or lethargic, you lose track of time, you have trouble cutting back, or social media is interfering with school, sleep, or relationships.
What can you do if another player in an online game is sending you mean messages or making you feel uncomfortable?
Block, mute, or report the player.
How can you tell if a website or message is trying to trick you into giving information?
Look for spelling mistakes, strange web addresses, and offers that seem too good to be true.