“Hurry!”
Pressure to act immediately can make it harder to think carefully.
Cyber Safety StarterLesson 3 of 335–45 MinutesElementary
Lesson 3
Stop, Check, Tell: Messages, Scams & Online Problems
You will not always know immediately whether a message, link, request, or online conversation is safe. That is okay. The most important skill is knowing how to slow down, check what is happening, and ask for help when you need it.
Lesson Roadmap
What You Will Learn Today
This lesson has six teaching parts, two guided activities, decision practice, reflection, and a short skill check. It finishes the Cyber Safety Starter Path.
About 6 min
Pressure and warning signs
About 6 min
Fake prizes and suspicious requests
About 6 min
Links and downloads
About 7 min
People you only know online
About 6 min
Cyberbullying and hurtful behavior
About 8 min
Trusted adults, activities, and skill check
Learning Goals
By the End of This Lesson
1
Recognize online pressure, urgency, secrecy, and other warning signs that should make you slow down.
2
Use safer habits when a message includes a prize, suspicious request, unfamiliar link, or request for private information.
3
Understand that usernames, profile pictures, messages, and follower counts do not prove who a person really is.
4
Know what to do when online behavior becomes mean, uncomfortable, threatening, or confusing.
5
Use Stop → Check → Tell and know when a trusted adult should help.
Part 1
Pressure Is a Reason to Slow Down
Some online messages try to make you react before you have time to think. They may use excitement, fear, secrecy, or urgency.
A message being urgent does not mean you need to obey it. In fact, pressure is often a good reason to slow down.
“Don't tell anyone.”
A request to hide something from trusted adults is a strong reason to stop and get help.
“You won!”
A surprise prize can be exciting, but excitement is not proof that a message is real.
“Click this now.”
You do not need to click an unfamiliar link just because a message tells you to.
“Send me your information.”
Private information should not be given away simply because someone asks for it.
“You'll get in trouble if you don't.”
Fear and threats can be used to pressure people into acting before they think.
Pressure should make you slower, not faster.
Main Rule
Stop → Check → Tell
You do not need a different plan for every strange message. Use these three steps whenever something online feels confusing, suspicious, uncomfortable, or too important to decide alone.
Stop
Do not click, reply, send information, buy something, or make a fast decision just because a message creates pressure.
Check
Ask what the message wants, who sent it, whether the request makes sense, what information it asks for, and whether a trusted adult should look at it.
Tell
Show a trusted adult when something is confusing, suspicious, uncomfortable, threatening, asks for private information, or feels too important to handle alone.
Part 2
Fake Prizes and Suspicious Requests
Imagine a message suddenly says you won a prize. That can feel exciting. But excitement is not proof that the message is real.
A safer habit is to ask a few questions before doing anything.
1
Was I expecting this message?
2
Do I know who actually sent it?
3
Is it trying to make me hurry?
4
Is it asking for a password, passcode, private information, money, or account details?
5
Is it promising a prize I never entered to win?
6
Does the link or request make sense for what the message says?
7
Would I feel comfortable showing this message to a trusted adult?
Remember
Something being exciting, urgent, or important does not make it true. You are allowed to stop and verify before acting.
Quick Check
Would You Slow Down?
Think about each message before opening the answer.
“You won a prize! Send your account password now.”
Yes. Stop. A surprise prize plus a password request is a strong warning sign.
“Your class project is due tomorrow. Check your normal school page.”
This may be normal, but you can still use the official school page instead of trusting an unexpected link.
“Don't tell your parents, but send me your address.”
Stop and tell a trusted adult. The request combines private information with secrecy.
“Click this file right now so you can get free game items.”
Stop. Do not download an unfamiliar file because a message pressures you.
Part 3
Links and Downloads Can Wait
Links are useful. They help us move from one page to another. But you do not need to click an unfamiliar link simply because someone sends it to you.
You do not have to click
A link can wait. If you are unsure where it goes or why it was sent, stop first.
Check the sender
Ask whether you know the sender and whether the message sounds like something they would really send.
Use the normal app or website
If a message says there is a problem with an account, ask a trusted adult and use the normal app or website rather than trusting a surprise link.
Ask before downloading
Do not download an unfamiliar file or app simply because a message tells you to.
Simple rule
When you are not sure where a link goes, you do not have to click it. Ask first.
Part 4
People Online: Friendly Does Not Always Mean Known
Online games, apps, and communities can help people meet others who like the same things. That can be fun. But knowing an account online is not the same as knowing the person behind it in real life.
Profiles are not proof
A name, picture, age, school, badge, or follower count can be written or changed by the person using the account.
You can stop replying
You do not have to continue a conversation because someone keeps messaging you.
You can keep private information private
You do not owe anyone your address, school, exact location, password, private pictures, or family information.
Secrecy is a warning sign
If someone asks you to hide the conversation from trusted adults, stop and tell someone you trust.
Meeting should be handled by adults
Do not arrange to meet someone you only know online by yourself. A parent or guardian should know and handle the situation.
You can end an online conversation whenever you need to.
You do not owe someone a reply just because they keep messaging you.
Part 5
Cyberbullying and Hurtful Online Behavior
Sometimes people use messages, posts, group chats, pictures, or comments to embarrass, exclude, or repeatedly hurt someone.
If this happens to you or someone else, the goal is not to win a bigger online argument. The goal is to make the situation safer and get help.
Do not join in
Do not pile on, repost embarrassing content, or add mean comments because other people are doing it.
Do not fight back with more cruelty
Retaliating can make the situation bigger. Focus on getting help instead.
Keep enough information to explain what happened
You may need to show a trusted adult the message, post, username, or conversation so they can understand what happened.
Block or report when appropriate
Use the platform's normal safety tools with help from a trusted adult when needed.
Tell a trusted adult
Cyberbullying is not something you need to solve alone. A trusted adult can help decide the next step.
Being a good bystander matters
If other people are piling on, you can choose not to join. You can also get help for the person being targeted.
Part 6
Trusted Adults Are Part of Cyber Safety
One of the most important lessons in this entire starter path is that you are not expected to solve every online problem alone.
Asking for help is not a failure. It is a safety skill.
Parent or guardian
They can help with accounts, devices, messages, settings, reporting, and family rules.
Teacher
A teacher can help when an online problem affects school, classmates, or learning.
School counselor
A counselor can help when online behavior is upsetting, repeated, or affecting how you feel at school.
Another responsible adult your family trusts
Some families may have another trusted adult who can help when a parent or guardian is not immediately available.
Tell a trusted adult when something:
asks for private information
asks you to keep secrets from trusted adults
makes you feel uncomfortable
keeps happening after you want it to stop
threatens or pressures you
involves a strange link or download
targets you or another person with hurtful behavior
feels too confusing or important to handle alone
Guided Activity
Use Stop → Check → Tell
Read each fictional message. Decide what you would do at each step before opening the answer.
Case 1: “Hurry! Your account will disappear in five minutes. Send your password now.”
STOP
Do not send anything.
CHECK
The message uses urgency and asks for a password. Those are warning signs.
TELL
Show it to a trusted adult and check the account through the normal app or website.
Case 2: “I saw your drawing online. What city do you live in?”
STOP
Do not give specific location information just because someone asks.
CHECK
Ask whether this person really needs to know where you live.
TELL
If the conversation feels uncomfortable or keeps asking for personal details, tell a trusted adult.
Case 3: “Everyone is sharing this embarrassing picture. Send it to three more people.”
STOP
Do not forward it.
CHECK
Sharing it could embarrass or hurt another person.
TELL
Tell a trusted adult if someone is being targeted or the situation is continuing.
Case 4: “Download this file so you can get a free game upgrade.”
STOP
Do not download the file immediately.
CHECK
Ask whether the offer is expected and whether the file comes from a trusted, approved source.
TELL
Ask a trusted adult before downloading unfamiliar files or apps.
Decision Practice
Six Everyday Online Choices
Decide what you would do before opening each answer.
1. A message says, “You won a new phone! Click now before your prize disappears.” You never entered a contest.
Best choice
Do not click. Stop, check whether the message makes sense, and show it to a trusted adult.
Why: A surprise prize plus urgency is a reason to slow down and verify instead of reacting.
2. Someone you only know from a game asks for your school name and says, “Don't tell your parents we're talking.”
Best choice
Do not share the school name. Stop the conversation and tell a trusted adult.
Why: Requests for private information plus secrecy are strong warning signs.
3. A friend sends you a link with no explanation and says, “Click this right now.”
Best choice
Ask what it is before clicking, and if you are unsure, do not open it.
Why: Even messages from people you know can be mistaken, forwarded, or sent from an account they are not currently controlling.
4. A group chat starts making fun of a classmate and asks you to repost an embarrassing picture.
Best choice
Do not repost it or join the comments. Tell a trusted adult if the situation continues or is serious.
Why: Respecting other people's privacy and refusing to join harmful behavior are part of online safety.
5. A message says there is a problem with your game account and asks for your password.
Best choice
Do not send the password. Ask a trusted adult and check the account through the normal app or website.
Why: Passwords should not be sent because a surprise message asks for them.
6. Someone online keeps messaging after you say you do not want to talk.
Best choice
Stop replying. Use block/report tools with adult help if appropriate and tell a trusted adult.
Why: You are allowed to end an online conversation and get help.
Starter Path Final Tool
The CyberShield 5
You have now learned three major ideas: protect your device, think before you share, and slow down when something online creates pressure. The CyberShield 5 puts those ideas into one simple tool.
Stop
Do not react immediately.
Check
Ask what the message, person, app, or website wants you to do.
Protect
Protect your device, account, information, privacy, and other people.
Think
Think about what could happen after you click, post, send, download, or reply.
Tell
Ask a trusted adult for help when something feels confusing, suspicious, uncomfortable, or too important to handle alone.
Remember This
Six Rules for Difficult Online Situations
1
Pressure means slow down
Urgency, fear, excitement, or secrecy should make you pause and think.
2
Private information stays protected
Do not send passwords, exact location, address, or other private information because a message asks.
3
Links can wait
You do not have to click or download something you do not understand.
4
Profiles are not proof
Online names, pictures, and follower counts do not prove identity.
5
Do not join hurtful behavior
Avoid forwarding embarrassing content or adding mean comments.
6
Ask for help
A trusted adult is part of your online safety team.
Reflection
Think About What You Would Do
You do not need to type these answers online. Think about them or discuss them with a trusted adult.
Reflection 1
Which warning sign would make you slow down fastest?
Reflection 2
What would you do if a message asked you to keep a conversation secret from trusted adults?
Reflection 3
Who are two trusted adults you could ask for help?
Reflection 4
How can you help if a classmate is being treated badly in a group chat?
Reflection 5
Which part of the CyberShield 5 do you think you will use most often?
Skill Check
Check What You Learned
Choose your answer first. Then reveal the explanation.
1. A message tells you to hurry and send private information. What should you do first?
A. Send it quickly
B. Stop and slow down
C. Forward it to everyone
D. Give the message your password
Reveal answer
Best answer: B
Pressure is a reason to slow down. Stop first, then check what the message is asking.
2. You receive a prize message for a contest you never entered. What is the smartest response?
A. Click immediately
B. Assume every prize is real
C. Stop, question the message, and show it to a trusted adult
D. Send your password to claim it
Reveal answer
Best answer: C
A surprise prize and urgency are warning signs. Verify before taking action.
3. What does a profile picture prove about someone online?
A. It proves exactly who they are
B. It proves their age
C. Very little by itself
D. It proves they are safe to trust
Reveal answer
Best answer: C
Profile pictures, usernames, and follower counts do not prove real identity.
4. Someone asks you to keep your conversation secret from trusted adults. What should you do?
A. Agree immediately
B. Stop and tell a trusted adult
C. Send more private information
D. Create another secret account
Reveal answer
Best answer: B
Pressure to hide a conversation from trusted adults is a warning sign.
5. What is the best response when a group chat is making fun of someone?
A. Join in so you fit in
B. Repost the embarrassing content
C. Do not join in, avoid making it worse, and get adult help when needed
D. Send the content to more groups
Reveal answer
Best answer: C
Do not participate in hurtful behavior. Focus on protecting people and getting help.
6. A surprise message says there is an account problem and asks you to click a link. What is safest?
A. Use the link immediately
B. Ask a trusted adult and check the account using the normal app or website
C. Reply with your password
D. Turn off all account protections
Reveal answer
Best answer: B
Using the normal app or website avoids trusting an unexpected link.
7. What does the T in Stop → Check → Tell mean?
A. Tell a trusted adult when something is confusing, suspicious, uncomfortable, or serious
B. Tell strangers your password
C. Tell everyone your location
D. Tell nobody anything
Reveal answer
Best answer: A
Getting help from a trusted adult is a core cyber safety skill.
8. Which is the strongest summary of this lesson?
A. Every message online is dangerous
B. You should handle every online problem by yourself
C. Slow down, check what is being asked, protect private information, and tell a trusted adult when needed
D. Never use messaging or social media
Reveal answer
Best answer: C
The goal is calm, thoughtful decision-making—not fear or trying to solve everything alone.
Starter Path Complete
You Finished All 3 Cyber Safety Starter Lessons
You started by learning how to protect a device. Then you learned how to protect your privacy and think before sharing. Finally, you learned how to slow down when messages, links, people, or online situations create pressure.
Cyber Safety Starter Promise
I know how to protect my device and accounts.
I think before I share information online.
I slow down when messages pressure me.
I respect other people's privacy.
I know when to stop and ask a trusted adult for help.
Final Safety Reminder
Getting help is part of being safe online
If an online situation is confusing, threatening, uncomfortable, asks for private information, pressures you to keep secrets, or keeps happening after you want it to stop, tell a trusted adult.