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Understanding why people tell lies online

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain why some people lie online and explain how to identify when they are lying.

Key learning points

  1. People do not have to tell the truth online.
  2. It is easy to lie online.
  3. People have their own reasons for making and doing things online.
  4. Trusted adults can help us spot lies online.

Keywords

  • Truth - something that is real

  • Lie - something that is not true

  • Reason - why something has happened

Common misconception

Everything posted on the internet is always correct.

Because of adult behaviour, it is natural for children to assume that the internet is always correct. However, content can be created by anyone, and people have their own motivations for posting content, beyond telling the truth.

Teacher tip

Demonstrate how easy it is to lie online by making an example post that is silly and untrue. You could do this on a word processor, slideshow or an actual blog, depending on what you have access to.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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

5 Questions

Q1.
The internet is a network that connects across the world.

Correct Answer: digital devices, devices

Q2.
Who should we tell if we see something online that worries us?

Correct answer: our teacher
our friend
Correct answer: our parent or carer
our pet

Q3.
Not everything online is...

Correct Answer: true, correct, real

Q4.
How might we get tricked online?

Correct answer: fake links
real photos
Correct answer: fake adverts and pop-ups
information from trusted websites

Q5.
When something is , it is not real.

Correct Answer: fake, not real

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definitions.

Correct Answer:truth,something that is real

something that is real

Correct Answer:lie,something that is not true

something that is not true

Correct Answer:reason,why something has happened

why something has happened

Q2.
It's easy for people to online and not everyone tells the truth.

Correct Answer: lie, tell lies

Q3.
Who can help us decide if something online is true?

Correct answer: trusted adults
younger siblings
our best friend

Q4.
What can we do to help us check if someone is lying online?

Correct answer: Check if the photo, video or information has come from a trusted website.
Look for bright colours or colourful images.
Correct answer: Ask ourselves, 'Is this person trying to trick us?'.
Ask ourselves, 'How old is the author?'.

Q5.
What reason might someone have to lie online?

they are older than us
they want to help others
Correct answer: they want to impress others
Correct answer: they want to trick others

To help you plan your 2 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Understanding why people tell lies online, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...