Thinkabara

🛡️ Internet Safety for Kids · Lesson 7 of 7

Telling a trusted adult

Google Classroom

Why to tell, who to tell, and what to say.

Why tell?

Kids often don’t tell because they are embarrassed, afraid of losing their phone, or think it’s their fault. But adults can help in ways kids can’t: reporting, blocking, talking to the school, and calling for help.

Who to tell

Parent or guardianUsually the first choice
Teacher or school counselorEspecially for things that happen with classmates
Another trusted adultA grandparent, aunt, coach
EmergencyCall 911 if someone is in danger

What to say

  1. “Something happened online and I need help”
  2. Show the messages or screenshots
  3. Tell what happened, when and who
  4. You don’t have to have all the answers — just start

For parents: how to react

Stay calm and thank your child for telling. Don’t take the phone away as punishment — that teaches kids not to tell next time. Save the evidence, block and report, and if it involves exploitation, report to the NCMEC CyberTipline; for threats of violence, call the police.

Tip

💡 Make a family promise: “You can tell us anything that happens online, and you won’t be punished for telling.”

✏️ Practice: your turn

  1. Each child names 3 trusted adults they could tell
  2. Parents say the family promise out loud
  3. Save the important numbers in the phone: 911 and 988
  4. Talk about the most important thing you learned in this course

🧠 Quick quiz

Answer all 4 questions correctly to mark this lesson as done.

1. Why do kids sometimes not tell?
2. Who is a good person to tell?
3. What number do you call in an emergency in the US?
4. How should a parent react when a child tells?

0 of 4 correct

All lessons in Internet Safety for Kids

  1. 🔑 1. A strong passwordHow to make a password that is hard to guess, and who may know it
  2. 🙊 2. What not to sharePersonal details, photos and location
  3. 🎣 3. Scams and suspicious linksFake prizes, urgent messages and strange links
  4. 👤 4. Strangers onlineWho is behind the screen, strange requests and meeting up
  5. 🫂 5. Cyberbullying and group chatsWhat to do when someone hurts you or a friend online
  6. 🎮 6. Games, purchases and screen timeIn-game purchases, loot boxes and when to stop
  7. 🗣️ 7. Telling a trusted adultWhy to tell, who to tell, and what to say