New
New
Year 10

Protecting myself online

I can identify the potential harms of being online and determine the practical actions that I can make to protect myself online.

New
New
Year 10

Protecting myself online

I can identify the potential harms of being online and determine the practical actions that I can make to protect myself online.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Being online poses a number of risks.
  2. These risks can be categorised into content, contact, conduct and commerce.
  3. These risks can be reduced and mitigated by a user's actions and behaviour.
  4. Online safety is about taking practical steps to protect yourself online.

Keywords

  • Content - information online, which can sometimes be inappropriate or harmful

  • Contact - when people interact with each other online

  • Conduct - the way people behave online.

  • Comerce - buying and selling goods online

Common misconception

You cannot protect yourself against the content you see online.

There are number of steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of seeing unwanted content online, these include using safe search tools, only streaming content legally and on a secure connection and using privacy-preserving search engines.


To help you plan your year 10 computing lesson on: Protecting myself online, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask pupils to consider what advice they would give to their younger selves about online usage. Reflecting on their own points of view might help them consider future actions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What can cause a filter bubble to form?
sharing content with friends
using a VPN to browse securely
reading diverse online content
Correct answer: algorithms tailoring content to your preferences
Q2.
Which of the following is NOT an effect of fake news?
misleading the public
spreading misinformation
Correct answer: encouraging critical thinking
manipulating opinions
Q3.
What is one consequence of echo chambers?
Correct answer: reinforcement of existing beliefs
increased online security
exposure to diverse viewpoints
reduction in fake news
Q4.
Which of these actions can help reduce the impact of fake news?
sharing unverified information
Correct answer: cross-referencing sources
ignoring all online news
only reading headlines
Q5.
What is one way to avoid being influenced by an echo chamber?
only follow like-minded accounts
avoid using social media altogether
share all content without verification
Correct answer: engage with diverse content
Q6.
What is a common feature of social media platforms that contributes to filter bubbles?
Correct answer: algorithms recommending similar content
randomly generated content suggestions
equal exposure to all viewpoints
manual curation of content by users

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the online risk categories to their definitions:
Correct Answer:content,information online, sometimes inappropriate or harmful

information online, sometimes inappropriate or harmful

Correct Answer:contact,when people interact with each other online

when people interact with each other online

Correct Answer:conduct,the way people behave online

the way people behave online

Correct Answer:commerce,buying and selling goods online

buying and selling goods online

Q2.
Is it possible to protect yourself against the content you see online?
no, the internet cannot be controlled
no, harmful content is unavoidable
yes, by avoiding the internet altogether
Correct answer: yes, by taking practical steps like using safe search tools
Q3.
How can you ensure a secure connection when streaming content?
use public Wi-Fi
Correct answer: use a VPN or secure network
share your passwords
disable your antivirus software
Q4.
What is the term for small pieces of data stored on your device by websites to remember your preferences and activity?
Correct Answer: cookies
Q5.
What is one risk associated with commerce online?
exposure to diverse viewpoints
sharing accurate information
Correct answer: scams and fraud during transactions
creating echo chambers
Q6.
What is one way to reduce risks related to contact online?
Correct answer: avoid interacting with strangers
share personal information publicly
use unsecure networks
disable privacy settings