Lesson Plan for Ages 7-10

Making Smart Choices Online - Duration: 45-60 minutes

^{CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) offers a free cybersecurity tool called Canadian Shield, designed to help keep students, educators, and families safe online. The Shield is made for Canadians, by Canadians and aims to provide free cybersecurity protection for families and we think it's worth knowing about. CIRA created fun puzzles and games for students of all ages to encourage people to use this tool, and our team at Digital Moment created complete lesson plans around them.}

Learning Objectives

• Understand key cyber safety vocabulary and concepts

• Identify and evaluate potential online threats (malicious websites, scams, tricks)

• Create an app icon and slogan that promote online safety

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Materials Needed

• Printed vocabulary matching worksheets (from CIRA)

• Chart paper or whiteboard

• Cybersecurity Activity Cards

• CIRA’s supporting material

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Lesson Activities

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Opening Question:

• "Raise your hand if you've used the internet this week!"

• "What do you use the internet for?" (Games, videos, homework, talking to family, etc.)

Discussion:

• "The internet is an amazing tool! We learn, play, create, and connect with people."

• "But just like in the real world, we need to be smart and stay safe online."

• "Today, we're going to learn how to protect ourselves online!"

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2. Vocabulary Warm-up (10 minutes)

Activity: Matching Game

Distribute the vocabulary matching worksheet:

Cyber Hero Vocabulary:

1. Block - To stop someone or something from bothering you

2. Click - To tap a button on a screen

3. Clue - A small hint that helps you figure something out

4. Hero - Someone who helps others and does the right thing

5. Protect - To keep someone or something safe from danger or harm

6. Secret - Something you don't tell others

7. Share - To give or show something to others

8. Shield - Something that protects you from danger

9. Smart - Using your brain to make good choices

10. Trick - When someone tries to fool you to get you to do something not safe

Instructions:

• Students complete the matching activity independently (5 minutes)

• Review answers as a class and remind students to keep these words in mind during today’s lesson

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3. Mini-Lesson: Online Threats (10 minutes)

What We Need Protection From:

Create a chart with three categories on the board and discuss with your class:

1. Malicious Websites

• Ask students what they think this term means

• "These are bad websites that can harm your device"

• "They might have viruses or malware (bad software)"

• "Clue: Pop-ups, too-good-to-be-true prizes, strange URLs"

2. Data Theft

• Ask students what they think this term means

• "When someone tries to steal your information"

• "Like passwords, your address, or your parents' credit card info"

• "Never share personal information online without permission!"

3. Scams & Tricks

• Ask students what they think these terms means

• "When someone pretends to be something they're not"

• "Like fake emails, fake websites, or people lying about who they are"

• "If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!"

Optional - Introduce students to CIRA's Canadian Shield

CIRA Canadian Shield:

• Share that there are many tools being build to help protect children and families from harmful online threats

• Show CIRA example: "This is a FREE tool built right here in Canada."

• "It works like a shield that blocks bad websites before they can reach you and protects your devices from malicious links and websites."

• “We will share this information with your grown-ups to chat more at home, for now let’s play a game!”

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4. Cybersecurity Activity: Spot the Clues (20 minutes)

Scenario Game

Print and cut out activity cards. Have your class sit in a circle on the carpet. Read each scenario aloud and have students discuss with their elbow partners. Bring the small group to a whole group discussion and move on to the next activity card.

Remind students to think about the words discussed in the warm-up vocabulary activity!

Extend:

Have students come up to read the activity card, make their own scenarios, or divide the class into two large groups to do a gameshow-style activity.

Sample Scenarios

Scenario 2

Scenario 1: "You get an email that says 'CONGRATULATIONS! You've won a free iPad! Click here NOW!' What clues tell you this might be a trick?"

Clue: Too good to be true, urgent language, unknown sender

Scenario 2

"You're playing an online game and someone you don't know asks for your home address. What should you do?"

Answer: Never share personal information; tell a trusted adult

Scenario 3

"A website asks you to download something to watch a video. What should you do?"

Answer: Check with an adult; could be malware

Scenario 4

"Your friend sends you a link to a funny video on a site you recognize. Is this safe?"

Answer: Probably safer, but still check it's really from your friend

Scenario 5

"You see a pop-up ad with flashing colors saying 'Your computer has a virus! Click here to fix it!' What do you do?"

Answer: Don't click! Tell an adult; likely a scam

Scenario 6 “You get a message on social media from someone using a fake name and no profile picture asking to be your friend. What should you do?”

Answer: Don’t accept or reply; report or block the person and tell a trusted adult.

Scenario 7 “You’re asked to make a password for a new account. What types of words should you avoid?”

Answer: Names, personal info like your name or birthday.

Scenario 8 “You see a post online that says, ‘Share this with 10 friends or something bad will happen!’ What should you do?”

Answer: Don’t share it—this is a chain message or scare tactic; ignore or delete it.

Scenario 9 “A classmate shares a photo of someone without asking first. What should they have done?”

Answer: Always ask permission before posting or sharing pictures of others online.

Scenario 10 “You find a website that looks real but the address is slightly different (like ‘amaz0n.ca’ instead of ‘amazon.ca’). What’s the danger?”

Answer: It could be a fake or scam website; double-check the address and don’t enter personal info.

^{Shield image by Muhammad Afandi on Unsplash}

Extension and Modifications

• If students finish early, hand out word-find and matching sheets from CIRA: print-out via https://www.cira.ca/uploads/2025/08/cira-cyber-hero_7-to-10.pdf

• Students reaching ahead can spend time exploring what malware and phishing are on reputable sites

• The scenario game can be modified to fit whole group or small group instruction

CIRA's Materials