Safe Online Lesson Plan Stay Safe Online
5th Grade Digital Citizenship Lesson
Time: 30 Minutes
Tier 1 Classroom Instruction
Objective
Students will learn to recognize social media risks, protect personal information, and practice making responsible online sharing decisions through an interactive stoplight system.
Why This Matters
This lesson empowers students with essential digital citizenship skills to navigate social media safely, reducing exposure to risks and protecting their privacy in an increasingly connected world.
Prep & Materials
Handouts: Print one Social Media Scenarios Handout per student.
Activity: Print and cut Risk or Safe? Sorting Cards (one set per group).
Visuals: Display Stoplight Poster and Privacy Protection Poster .
Tech: Load Stay Safe Online Lesson Slides on presentation device.
Extras: Index cards, whiteboard markers.
Lesson Instructions
1. Introduction 5 Minutes
Project the Stoplight Poster and explain the core safety system:
Green: Safe
Yellow: Caution
Red: Stop
Engage: Ask students: "What do you know about social media? Have you seen friends or family use it?"
Define key terms: Social Media , Personal Information , and Privacy .
2. Scenario Activity 10 Minutes
Distribute the Social Media Scenarios Handout .
Pairs: Have students read each scenario and circle whether it is Safe, Risky, or Unclear.
Discuss: After 5 minutes, review together. Use the Stoplight Poster to categorize one scenario as a group example. Focus on the "Why" behind their choices.
3. Sorting Activity 8 Minutes
Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a set of Risk or Safe? Sorting Cards .
Task: Sort cards under the stoplight zones (Green, Yellow, Red).
Circulate: Ask prompting questions like "Why did you place the 'home address' card in the red zone?"
Have one group share a placement that caused debate within their group.
4. Wrap-Up & Reflection 7 Minutes
Project the Privacy Protection Poster .
Class Check: Record student responses on the whiteboard under "Safe to Share" and "Keep Private." Aim for 3 examples each.
Key Takeaways: Think before you post, protect personal info, and always ask an adult if you aren't sure.
Safe Online Presentation Slides Stay Safe Online
Digital Citizenship • 5th Grade • 30 Minutes
Welcome students! Introduce yourself and the topic. Explain that today we’ll learn how to stay safe when using social media.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Recognize safe and risky social media scenarios
Protect personal information online
Make responsible sharing choices
Stoplight Safety System
RED:
Stop—this is risky or not allowed.
YELLOW:
Think twice—be careful.
GREEN:
Safe to share or do online.
Key Terms
Social Media
Websites or apps where people share content and connect with others.
Personal Information
Details about you (like your full name, address, or birthday).
Privacy
Keeping certain information only for you and people you trust.
Scenario Activity
1
Work in pairs .
2
Read each scenario on your handout .
3
Circle Safe , Risky , or Unclear .
4
We’ll share and use the stoplight to decide together!
Example Scenario
"Your friend tags you in a photo at your house, showing your street address in the background."
Safe
Risky
Unclear
Sorting Activity
1
In small groups, sort your cards under the Stoplight zones .
2
Discuss: Why is each action green, yellow, or red?
3
Be ready to share one of your placements.
Reflection
List three things SAFE to share online and three things that should be kept PRIVATE.
Safe to Share
Keep Private
Key Takeaways
Think before you post.
Protect your personal information.
Ask an adult if you aren't sure.
Social Media Scenarios Handout Social Media Scenarios
Digital Citizenship Activity
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Read each scenario below. Circle whether you think it is Safe , Risky , or Unclear . Then, write a brief explanation for your choice in the box provided.
Scenario 1
Safe
Risky
Unclear
Your friend tags you in a photo taken in front of your house, and your street address is visible in the background.
Why?
Scenario 2
Safe
Risky
Unclear
You post a status announcing your birthday and the fact that you’re turning 10 today.
Why?
Scenario 3
Safe
Risky
Unclear
You start chatting privately with someone you don’t know but who says they’re a classmate at your school.
Why?
Scenario 4
Safe
Risky
Unclear
You post a photo showing your real-time location on a map in your story.
Why?
Scenario 5
Safe
Risky
Unclear
You share a cute picture of your pet along with its name (Fluffy) on your profile.
Why?
Scenario 6
Safe
Risky
Unclear
You receive a friend request from someone you don’t recognize but they have no mutual friends.
Why?
After you finish, be ready to share one example with your partner and explain your thinking!
Risk or Safe Sorting Cards Risk or Safe? Sorting Cards
Instructions: Cut out each card below. In your group, sort the cards under the Stoplight Poster zones: Green (safe), Yellow (be careful), or Red (stop).
Posting a photo of your pet without revealing your address.
Liking a friend’s public post.
Sharing a drawing you made.
Commenting “Great photo!” on a friend’s post.
Accepting a friend request from someone you don’t know but have mutual friends with.
Posting that you’ll be at the park tomorrow afternoon.
Sharing your birthday (month and day only).
Posting a photo taken inside your school.
Sharing your home address in a status update.
Posting a photo showing your street name sign.
Using geotagging to show your real-time location.
Chatting privately with someone you don’t know online.
Teacher Note: Shuffle these cards before distributing to each group. Use the Stoplight Safety System as a guide.
Stoplight Poster STOPLIGHT SAFETY
GREEN
SAFE to share or do online.
YELLOW
CAUTION: Think twice—be careful.
RED
STOP: This is risky or not allowed.
Digital Citizenship Foundation
Personal Information Protection Poster Personal Information
THINK BEFORE YOU SHARE!
Safe to Share
Your favorite color, hobby, or general interests
A photo of your pet (with no house or address showing)
A picture of your artwork or a craft you made
Month and day of your birthday (but not the year!)
Keep Private
Full name (first and last)
Home address or street name
Phone number or email address
Full birthdate (with the year)
School name or location
Passwords or login details
Real-time location (geotagging)
Still not sure?
Always ask a trusted adult before you post!