Staying Safe and Kind Online
How a young coder shares, learns, and treats people online
Big Idea: When you code, you will use the internet to learn and to share your projects. Being a good digital citizen means staying safe, being kind, keeping your private things private, and asking a trusted adult when you are not sure.
By the end you will be able to:
- say what "private information" is and why to keep it safe,
- use the Stop - Think - Ask rule before sharing,
- be kind online and know when to tell a trusted adult.
1. What does "online" mean for a coder?
Being online means your computer is connected to the internet, where you can talk to people, watch videos, and share things you make. As a young coder, the internet is a wonderful place to learn new ideas and to show the games and projects you build.
But the internet is like a very big city. Most people are friendly, but you still follow safety rules — just like you would look both ways before crossing a street. Learning these rules now keeps your fun going and keeps you safe.
2. Keep your private information private
Private information is anything that could tell a stranger exactly who you are or where to find you. You keep it secret from people you do not know in real life.
| Keep private | Usually okay to share |
|---|---|
| Your home address | A fun nickname or username |
| Your phone number | Your favourite colour or game |
| Your school name | A project you built (with no private info in it) |
| Your passwords | Your first name only, if an adult says it is okay |
| Photos that show where you live | A drawing or cartoon you made |
A password is like the key to your house. Make it long and hard to guess, and never share it — not even with a friend.