Overview
This course is designed for primary aged pupils (7 to 11 years) to help them understand digital privacy and personal security, with a strong focus on protecting their identity and understanding the difference between public and private online spaces.
What this course covers
- Identifying specific pieces of personal information (such as full name, address, and school) that must be protected
- Distinguishing between “Public” online environments where strangers are present and “Private” interactions with known contacts
- How to create safe usernames that do not reveal a real-world identity or location
- Strategies for handling unsolicited questions from strangers, including blocking and ignoring
- Understanding why passwords must remain confidential and should never be shared with friends
- Techniques for creating complex, secure passwords that are difficult for others to guess
Key safety messages for pupils
Only parents or carers are allowed to know your password
Personal details that identify you belong to you and must be kept secret
Most online games are public spaces where strangers can see and hear you
Real names and addresses should never be used in a username or profile
You do not need to be polite or respond to strangers asking questions online
Passwords must never be shared with friends, even best friends
What’s Included in the Download?
Ready to deliver slide deck
Fully prepared lesson slides with clear teacher notes for confident, no prep delivery.
Pupil quiz
Age appropriate questions to check understanding and reinforce key safety messages.
Classroom poster
Visual reminders to reinforce learning and support ongoing discussions about Loot Boxes
Parent handout
Clear, simple guidance ready to be emailed to parents explaining what children learned and how to continue the conversation at home.
Teacher checklist (compliance and evidence)
Printable checklist to support RSHE (England) and RSHP (Scotland) curriculum evidence and safeguarding records.
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:
- Identify specific pieces of personal information (such as full name, phone number, address, and school) that must be kept private
- Understand that most online games are “public spaces” where strangers can see and hear them
- Distinguish between private digital interactions (with family) and public digital interactions (with strangers)
- Create or choose a safe username that does not reveal their real-world identity
- Know how to respond safely if a stranger asks for personal information, including ignoring or blocking them
- Understand that passwords are strictly private and must not be shared with friends
- Explain why using real names or pet names makes a password easy to guess
- Construct a strong password using a combination of random words, numbers, and symbols
- Identify the trusted adults they can share their passwords with (parents or carers)
How This Meets RSHE, RSHP and KCSIE
RSHE (England)
This lesson supports statutory Relationships Education and Health Education requirements by helping pupils to:
- Understand the importance of keeping personal information private online
- Recognise that people they do not know online are strangers and should be treated with caution
- Understand the difference between private communication and public online spaces
- Learn the rules for keeping passwords safe and secure
- Identify appropriate strategies for responding to unwanted contact, such as ignoring or blocking
- Know that parents and carers are appropriate people to share passwords with
The lesson reinforces key RSHE themes including:
- Internet Safety and Harms: How to consider the effect of their online actions on others and how to keep personal information private
- Online Relationships: That the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others online including when we are anonymous
- Being Safe: How to report concerns and seek advice
- Teaching is age-appropriate, non-alarming, and empowering, focusing on practical strategies (like the “T-Shirt Test”) rather than fear, in line with guidance from Department for Education.
KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education)
This lesson supports KCSIE safeguarding duties by:
- Educating pupils about specific online risks related to data privacy and contact with strangers
- Helping pupils distinguish between safe (private) and potentially unsafe (public) digital environments
- Supporting pupils to take preventative action through strong password creation and safe username choices
- Encouraging early disclosure and reassuring pupils they will not be in trouble for speaking up about online concerns
- Reinforcing the role of trusted adults as the primary safety net
The lesson contributes to a whole-school safeguarding approach by:
- Promoting a culture of digital literacy and openness
- Supporting preventative education regarding cyber-security and identity theft
- Providing documented evidence through structured lesson plans and learning objectives
RSHP (Scotland)
This lesson aligns with Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) experiences and outcomes by supporting pupils to:
- Develop awareness of safety and risk in digital and online environments
- Understand personal boundaries and the concept of privacy
- Build confidence in making safe decisions about what to share and who to trust online
- Recognise when support is needed and identify trusted people to help with digital issues
The lesson reflects RSHP principles by being:
- Age and stage appropriate
- Inclusive and accessible for all pupils
- Focused on wellbeing, relationships, and personal safety
- Delivered in a supportive, non-judgemental way
The approach is consistent with guidance supported by Education Scotland.
Whole School and Parental Engagement
In addition, this resource supports schools by:
- Providing clear language (e.g., “Public Park”) that can be used consistently between school and home
- Supporting consistent safeguarding messages regarding password sharing with parents
- Offering inspection-ready evidence through structured lesson plans and teacher checklists
- Helping schools demonstrate a proactive approach to online safety and wellbeing