GoalExplain identity theft and what to do when an unsafe page opens.
New words
identity · who you are online: your name, your accounts and your private detailsidentity theft · when someone uses your personal information or account as if they were youunsafe site · a page with bad words or scary picturespersonal information · private details such as your address, school and phone number
Explanation
Your identity is who you are online: your name, your accounts and your private details. Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information or your account as if they were you. They might see an address, an email or a phone number. Imagine someone wearing your school uniform and pretending to be you. To stay protected, keep personal information private, keep passwords secret, and tell a grown-up if an account does something strange. Sometimes a page opens by mistake and has bad words or scary pictures. That is an unsafe site. Leave it at once: close it or go back, and tell a grown-up. You are not in trouble. A grown-up can also set parental controls to help. Do not decide never to go online again. You can learn to use it safely.
A bad or scary page opens→I leave it at once→I tell a grown-up→The grown-up helps with the settings
Worked examples
Habiba’s aunt sees that her account sent messages she did not write. Someone may be using her details. With help, she changes her password and tells the people who can help. Nobody blames anyone.
Seif is watching a cartoon with his father when another page opens with scary pictures. Seif leaves it at once and says, “A scary page opened.” His father thanks him and checks the settings.
Mina makes two piles of cards. Home address, phone number and password go in the pile “Keep private”. Her favourite food and favourite sport can be talked about with friends she knows.
Class activity
Oops cards. On three cards, write imaginary “oops” stories: (1) a scary picture opens by mistake; (2) a friend’s account sends a strange message; (3) a stranger in a game asks for your address. Pass the cards between partners. The partner answers with the moves: stay calm, leave or do not answer, tell a grown-up. End each time by saying: “I am not in trouble.”
Practice
1
What is identity theft?
When someone uses your personal information or your account as if they were you.
2
A page with scary pictures opens by mistake. What do you do?
Leave it at once and tell a grown-up.
3
Sara says: “If a scary page opens, I will never go online again.” Is that the best plan? Why?
No. The better plan is to leave the page, tell a grown-up and learn to use the internet safely.
4
Which of these should you keep private? Say the letters.
