Digital Safety Essentials: Navigating Phones, Social Media, & the Internet
This course equips young people with the knowledge to stay safe and secure online, covering essential topics like phone use, social media, internet safety, and personal data protection.
Explosive Learning Jo Reynolds Life Skill Teachers
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(1,279)
Popular
What's included
16 pre-recorded lessons
16 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. 1-2 per weekProgress Report
includedClass Experience
Class Description: In this Digital Safety for Young People course, students will learn the essential skills and knowledge they need to stay safe and secure in today’s digital world. The course covers a wide range of topics, including how to use phones and social media responsibly, protect personal information, navigate video games safely, understand privacy in emails, and make safe choices online. With engaging video lessons, interactive activities, and personalized feedback, students will gain the tools they need to make informed choices in the digital space, recognize risks, and maintain personal privacy. Weekly Topics Week 1: Introduction to Digital Safety Understanding the basics of digital safety, identifying risks online, and exploring how online spaces are different from face-to-face interactions. Week 2: Phone Safety Basics How to keep a smartphone safe, manage contacts, and avoid oversharing personal information through texts and apps. Week 3: Safe Internet Browsing Learning safe browsing practices, avoiding risky websites, understanding search engines, and setting up internet safety filters. Week 4: Social Media Safety Examining privacy settings, recognizing safe sharing practices, and understanding how to protect oneself on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Week 5: Protecting Personal Information Exploring what personal info is, why it's valuable, and how to keep it private in a digital age. Week 6: Video Game Safety Learning about in-game chats, online interactions, and identifying safe gaming practices for personal privacy and security. Week 7: Email Etiquette and Security Recognizing spam, phishing emails, and safe email practices for protecting oneself from scams. Week 8: Digital Footprint Awareness Understanding what a digital footprint is, how online actions can be traced, and why it matters for future privacy. Week 9: Understanding Cyberbullying Exploring what cyberbullying is, how to identify it, and ways to report or manage it safely. Week 10: Managing Online Friendships Discussing safe practices for meeting people online and how to manage online friendships responsibly. Week 11: Handling Digital Strangers Learning how to recognize, avoid, and handle digital strangers, particularly in chatrooms, social media, and games. Week 12: Digital Well-being and Screen Time Understanding the impact of screen time, maintaining digital health, and setting healthy limits. Week 13: Securing Online Accounts Creating strong passwords, using two-factor authentication, and keeping accounts secure on all platforms. Week 14: Spotting Scams and Phishing Learning common online scams, what phishing is, and tips for avoiding scams in all digital forms. Week 15: Building Healthy Digital Habits Practicing respectful, safe, and balanced use of all digital platforms to foster positive habits. Week 16: Digital Citizenship Exploring how to be a responsible digital citizen, understanding digital rights, and respecting others online.
Learning Goals
Understand the basics of digital safety and why it's essential.Develop safe practices for using phones, social media, and the internet.
Syllabus
16 Lessons
over 16 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Digital Safety
Understanding the basics of digital safety, identifying risks online, and exploring how online spaces are different from face-to-face interactions. Lesson 2:
Phone Safety Basics
How to keep a smartphone safe, manage contacts, and avoid oversharing personal information through texts and apps. Lesson 3:
Safe Internet Browsing
Learning safe browsing practices, avoiding risky websites, understanding search engines, and setting up internet safety filters. Lesson 4:
Social Media Safety
Examining privacy settings, recognizing safe sharing practices, and understanding how to protect oneself on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course includes content that addresses potential risks associated with online activities, which may be concerning for some learners. Topics covered are intended to educate and empower young people to make safer choices, but certain elements may need additional parental guidance. Here are specific areas that may require attention:
Cyberbullying
Potentially Upsetting Content: Week 9 discusses cyberbullying, including descriptions of common forms and examples of harmful behaviors online. Discussions about managing bullying and reporting it may evoke strong feelings in learners who have experienced or witnessed bullying.
Guidance: Parents may wish to discuss this topic with their child, providing reassurance and support. Some children may benefit from additional resources on handling bullying.
Online Predators and Digital Strangers
Potentially Upsetting Content: Week 11 covers the topic of online strangers, explaining risks associated with unsolicited communication and discussing strategies for avoiding interactions with unknown or potentially dangerous individuals.
Guidance: This week’s content includes strategies for handling these situations safely and stresses the importance of reporting any uncomfortable interactions. Parents may want to be available for conversations if questions arise.
Privacy and Personal Information
Requires Safety Precautions: Weeks 3, 4, and 5 discuss privacy and the risks of sharing personal information, including examples of how information can be misused.
Guidance: Learners may be asked to review privacy settings on devices or apps. Parents can oversee these activities to ensure safety, providing assistance with privacy settings as needed.
Online Scams and Phishing
Potentially Upsetting Content: Week 14 introduces learners to common online scams, including examples of phishing tactics, scam emails, and fraudulent websites.
Guidance: While this content is educational, discussions on scams and fraud may cause some learners to feel wary or anxious about online use. Parents can provide reassurance and guidance on safe online practices and answer any questions.
Digital Footprint and Future Implications
Potentially Upsetting Content: Week 8 covers digital footprints and how online actions can have long-lasting effects. Some learners may find this concept concerning as they consider past or current behaviors.
Guidance: Parents may want to help their child understand that learning safe practices now can prevent issues in the future and reinforce the positive steps covered in the course.
This course is designed to be informative, supportive, and to build confidence in young learners' digital safety skills. While the information is presented in an age-appropriate manner, these topics may lead to questions or concerns that benefit from parental guidance and open discussion at home.
Supply List
None
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.8
1279reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Brighton University UK
Jo Reynolds is a seasoned educator with extensive experience in digital safety, online privacy, and cyber literacy for young people. With over 10 years of experience teaching digital citizenship and safety topics, Jo has worked with schools, community organizations, and parents to develop and implement educational programs focused on creating safe, responsible, and mindful digital users.
Relevant Training and Certifications:
Certified Digital Citizenship Educator through Common Sense Education, specializing in teaching safe, ethical, and effective online practices to students.
Internet Safety for Educators Certification through iKeepSafe, with training on privacy, personal safety, and responsible online behavior.
Cyberbullying Prevention Certification through the National Cybersecurity Alliance, focusing on recognizing, managing, and preventing cyberbullying in educational settings.
Google Certified Educator with a focus on online safety, digital literacy, and safe technology use in classroom settings.
Professional Experience in Digital Safety:
Former instructor in digital literacy and online safety courses for young learners at local community centers.
Presenter at multiple workshops and webinars for parents and teachers on how to help children navigate social media, online interactions, and cyber threats.
Active member of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) and National Online Safety, staying up-to-date with the latest research, tools, and trends in internet safety for young users.
Lived Experience: As a parent, Jo Reynolds understands the challenges and concerns parents face in today’s digital age. This personal perspective adds to Jo’s commitment to teaching digital safety in an engaging and relatable way, ensuring young learners feel equipped and supported as they navigate the online world.
Jo's background provides students and parents with confidence in her expertise, ensuring a thoughtful, well-rounded, and age-appropriate approach to digital safety and security for young learners.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$20
weekly or $310 for all content16 pre-recorded lessons
16 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 11-14
