Online Safety — Year 2 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: Computing KS1 — use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support
Overview
Pupils learn how to use technology safely and responsibly. They explore what personal information is and why it should be kept private online, understand how to respond if they encounter something upsetting online, and learn who to tell and how to ask for help. This lesson draws on PSHE skills and develops digital citizenship.
Learning Objectives
- Identify what counts as personal information and why it should be kept private online.
- Know how to stay safe when using the internet and online devices.
- Know what to do and who to tell if they see something upsetting online.
- Understand the importance of kind and respectful behaviour online.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Ask: what information would you share with a stranger on the street? (probably nothing!) What about online? Are they different? Establish: the internet is a public space — treat it like a public place.
Introduce personal information: full name, home address, school name, phone number, age, photos. Explain why we keep these private — people online may not be who they say they are. Discuss: what can you share? (favourite colour, pets' names — generally fine; your address — never). Introduce the SMART rules in child-friendly language: Safe (keep personal info safe), Meet (never meet online friends in real life), Accept (don't accept files from strangers), Reliable (not everything online is true), Tell (tell a trusted adult if worried). Role-play: what would you do if someone online asked for your address?
Pupils sort a set of information cards into 'OK to share' / 'Keep private' / 'Ask an adult'. Discuss any they are unsure about. Then work through two scenarios together: 'Someone online asks where your school is. What do you do?'
Pupils design an 'Online Safety Poster' with three rules for staying safe online (in their own words) and a simple illustration. Display in the classroom or ICT suite.
Pupils share their most important rule. Reinforce: if something online makes you feel worried, scared, or confused — stop, leave the page, and tell a trusted adult immediately. You will never be in trouble for telling.
Common Misconceptions
- Pupils sometimes think online friends are the same as in-person friends — online relationships require different safety boundaries.
- Thinking that if their account is private, they are completely safe — privacy settings help but are not a complete guarantee.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Some experience of using tablets, games consoles, or family devices.
- Basic PSHE understanding of personal safety and trusted adults.
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