Overview

The Clicks for Cash lesson helps children understand that some content online is designed to grab attention and encourage quick clicks. It introduces children, in an age-appropriate way, to the idea of online advertising and clickbait, and supports them to make safer, more thoughtful choices when using digital devices.

The lesson focuses on awareness, emotional literacy, and decision-making rather than restriction or fear.

What the lesson covers

Children learn:

  • That people use adverts to sell things online
  • That adverts are not only on TV but also appear in games, videos, and apps
  • That some online content is designed to get clicks quickly (clickbait)
  • That clickbait often uses exciting words, images, or pressure
  • That online content can make us feel excited, rushed, or unsure
  • That these feelings are signals to pause and think

Children are taught a simple, memorable safety strategy:

Stop • Think • Ask

This helps them understand that they:

  • Do not have to click everything they see
  • Are allowed to pause and skip content
  • Can always ask a trusted adult for help

What’s Included in the Download?

his is a complete, ready-to-use lesson pack for teaching children about adverts and clickbait, with no preparation required.

✔ Ready-to-use slide deck

A fully prepared classroom slide deck designed for primary-aged pupils.
Includes clear visuals, simple language, structured teacher notes, quizzes, and interactive moments to support understanding.

✔ Quiz to check understanding

Age-appropriate quiz questions to help pupils:

  • Recall key ideas
  • Apply what they have learned
  • Reflect on safer online choices

Suitable for whole-class use and discussion.

✔ Parent handout

A clear, reassuring handout for parents and carers explaining:

  • What clickbait is
  • What children learned in the lesson
  • How to reinforce learning at home using simple conversations

Supports a strong home–school link.

✔ Classroom poster

A visual reminder for the classroom that reinforces learning beyond the lesson.
Uses the simple rule:

Stop • Think • Ask

Helps pupils pause and make safer choices independently.

✔ Teacher checklist (compliance evidence)

An inspection-ready teacher checklist aligned with:

  • RSHE (England)
  • RSHP (Scotland)

Allows schools to evidence lesson delivery, safeguarding considerations, and learning outcomes for compliance and inspection purposes.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

  1. Explain what an advert is
    Pupils can describe an advert as something designed to get attention or sell something, using age-appropriate language.
  2. Recognise that adverts appear online
    Pupils understand that adverts are not only on TV but can also appear in games, videos, and apps.
  3. Identify clickbait in simple terms
    Pupils can recognise that some words or images are designed to make people click quickly.
  4. Understand how clickbait can affect feelings
    Pupils can identify feelings such as excitement, curiosity, rushing, or uncertainty when seeing online content.
  5. Recognise pressure to click
    Pupils understand that feeling rushed or pushed is a signal to pause rather than click immediately.
  6. Use a simple safety strategy before clicking
    Pupils can recall and apply the rule Stop • Think • Ask.
  7. Make safer choices online
    Pupils understand that they do not have to click everything they see and that skipping is a valid choice.
  8. Know when and how to seek help
    Pupils can identify trusted adults at home or school and understand that asking for help is the right thing to do.

How This Meets RSHE, RSHP and KCSIE

RSHE (England)

The Clicks for Cash lesson supports statutory Relationships Education requirements by helping pupils:

  • Understand that online content is created for different purposes, including advertising
  • Recognise how online content can influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviour
  • Identify pressure to act quickly online and practise pausing before responding
  • Develop simple decision-making skills for online situations
  • Know when and how to seek help from trusted adults

The lesson uses age-appropriate language, avoids fear-based messaging, and focuses on building awareness, confidence, and safe habits rather than restriction.

KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education)

This resource supports KCSIE expectations by:

  • Teaching children how online content can manipulate attention and behaviour
  • Helping pupils recognise emotional pressure, urgency, and persuasion online
  • Reinforcing that children are never at fault for encountering online risks
  • Normalising help-seeking and clearly signposting trusted adults at home and school
  • Supporting a preventative, whole-school approach to online safety education

The lesson does not require pupils to share personal experiences and avoids real brands or platforms, supporting a safe and inclusive safeguarding approach.

RSHP (Scotland)

The Clicks for Cash lesson aligns with RSHP experiences and outcomes by supporting pupils to:

  • Recognise risk and influence in digital environments
  • Develop emotional awareness and understand how feelings affect decisions
  • Build skills for informed, thoughtful, and responsible online behaviour
  • Identify when support is needed and where to seek help

The lesson is consistent with RSHP principles of wellbeing, respect, and empowerment, and supports progressive learning around digital safety.

Whole-school and inspection readiness

  • The resource includes a teacher checklist to evidence delivery and learning outcomes
  • Content is calm, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate
  • Parent materials support consistent messaging between home and school
  • The lesson forms part of a preventative, education-led approach to online safety

Course Content

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Course Curriculum