Children’s Online Safety

Learn to discuss privacy, scams, cyberbullying, gaming and family technology expectations. Platform rules and features change; use current official guidance and age-appropriate oversight.

4 lessonsPractice LabFinal assessmentCompletion certificate

0/4 lessons complete · Best assessment: 0% · Project pending

01 · Privacy and account protectionOpen lesson

A caregiver and child review account privacy together. — Privacy and account protection · Original lesson illustration

Discuss what information should not be shared publicly, including passwords, location details and identifying information. Review privacy settings together and use strong authentication where available. Settings cannot control every person who sees or copies a post. Teach children to ask before sharing other people’s information or images. Use age-appropriate accounts and follow the platform’s rules rather than bypassing restrictions.

Worked example

A family removes public location information and reviews who can contact a child’s account.

Try it yourself

Draft three privacy rules for a fictional family agreement.

Do privacy settings guarantee that content will never spread?Yes, alwaysOnly a popular platform guarantees itNo; others may copy or share it

02 · Scams, pressure and online contactsOpen lessonLocked — complete previous lessons

A child asks a trusted adult about an unexpected online message. — Scams, pressure and online contacts · Original lesson illustration

Online messages may impersonate friends, companies or game services. Be cautious of requests for passwords, verification codes, money, secrecy or urgent action. A familiar username is not proof of identity. Encourage the child to stop and ask a trusted adult rather than fearing punishment for a mistaken click. Verify through an independently established channel before responding to an unexpected request.

Worked example

A supposed game moderator asks for a verification code to unlock a reward; the child pauses and asks for help.

Try it yourself

List three warning signs and a safe pause-and-check response.

What should happen after an unexpected request for a verification code?Share the code to claim the rewardPause and verify through a trusted channelAssume the username proves identity

03 · Cyberbullying and getting helpOpen lessonLocked — complete previous lessons

A caregiver listens supportively as a child reports an online problem. — Cyberbullying and getting help · Original lesson illustration

Take reports seriously, listen and avoid blaming the child for being targeted. Do not retaliate or forward harmful content. Use platform reporting and blocking tools and seek appropriate school or other support when relevant. Preserve nonexplicit evidence safely when useful, but do not download or redistribute suspected sexual images of a child. Threats or immediate danger require appropriate urgent help.

Worked example

A child reports repeated hostile messages; the caregiver listens, reviews safe reporting options and helps plan support.

Try it yourself

Draft a supportive response and a reporting plan for a fictional incident.

Which response is supportive?Tell the child they caused the bullyingListen, avoid blame and help find appropriate supportForward harmful content widely

04 · Gaming and a family technology agreementOpen lessonLocked — complete previous lessons

A family discusses gaming, purchases, and technology expectations. — Gaming and a family technology agreement · Original lesson illustration

Discuss age suitability, online interaction, spending, sleep and responsibilities when choosing games or apps. Parental controls can support agreed limits but do not replace conversation. Explain purchasing permissions and how to ask for help with unwanted contact or a mistake. Review the agreement as needs change and make it easy to report problems without promising that every consequence disappears.

Worked example

A family agrees that purchases need permission and reviews chat settings before enabling an online game.

Try it yourself

Complete the technology agreement with a help-seeking plan and review date.

What role should parental controls play?Support age-appropriate limits alongside conversationReplace all communicationGuarantee there are no risks

Your completion certificate

All 4 lessons, project self-review and final assessment at 80% or higher.

Estimated study time: 2 hours. Includes reading, practice, projects and assessment; individual time varies.

Certificate locked — complete all requirements listed above. Existing progress is preserved.

About estimated study time

Lifehelper estimates time from lesson length, worked exercises, practice sessions, project work and assessments. Short foundation courses use approximately two hours; larger courses and multi-level programs use higher estimates. This is not a timer, accredited credit or verified attendance.

Documents completion of an independent Lifehelper course. Not a license, accredited qualification, or official professional certification. Estimated study time is a course estimate, not verified activity hours.