Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
My library
Teachers
Pupils
View unit
Lesson 5 of 5
  • Year 8

Risks of unknown people online

In this lesson, we will learn about the risks of unknown people online. This will include the risks of sharing personal information and anything 'compromising'. We will also learn about the risks involved with joining groups promoting extreme views or spreading misinformation. Finally, we will examine the risks associated with meeting people known only in the online world. This lesson covers some content that may be a sensitive topic for you. We recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting or doing the lesson with a trusted adult nearby.

Download all
Share activities with pupils
View unit
Lesson 5 of 5
  • Year 8

Risks of unknown people online

In this lesson, we will learn about the risks of unknown people online. This will include the risks of sharing personal information and anything 'compromising'. We will also learn about the risks involved with joining groups promoting extreme views or spreading misinformation. Finally, we will examine the risks associated with meeting people known only in the online world. This lesson covers some content that may be a sensitive topic for you. We recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting or doing the lesson with a trusted adult nearby.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by the end of the Spring Term 2026.

Start using our brand new teaching resources now. Designed by teachers and subject experts, with real classrooms in mind.

The older resources below were created for lockdown learning during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View and download new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Risks of sharing personal information and anything 'compromising'
  2. Risks of joining groups promoting extreme views or misinformation
  3. Risks associated with grooming and/or meeting people known only online in real life

Content guidance

  • Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

Share with pupils
Skip lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

4 Questions

Q1.
What does the term stranger mean?

A person who you are friends with
Correct answer: A person who you don't know
A person who you have met a few times

Q2.
What dangers are posed by unknown people online? Select two answers.

Correct answer: They may lead you into risky situations
Correct answer: They may not be the person who you believe them to be
They may share a hobby with you
They may someone who you want to remain friends with

Q3.
Where would you be more likely to talk to unknown people online? Select two answers.

Correct answer: On a gaming platform
On a school network
On a shopping website
Correct answer: On a social media platform

Q4.
All information that is posted online can be trusted.

Correct answer: False
True

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf
Share with pupils

5 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following can increase your risk when meeting an unknown person? Select three answers.

Correct answer: Going alone
Going with someone else
Meeting them in a busy, public place
Correct answer: Meeting them in a quiet, private place
Correct answer: Not telling anyone you are meeting them
Telling someone before your meet them

Q2.
When setting up a new profile, which three things can reduce your risk of sharing personal information to unknown people? (Tick 3 boxes)

Adding a profile picture of you in your school uniform
Correct answer: Choosing a nickname
Including your full name and date of birth
Correct answer: Setting your security settings higher than the recommended settings
Setting your security settings to the recommended settings
Correct answer: Uploading a profile picture of your pet

Q3.
Even if you set your security settings to the highest, there is still a risk that unknown people can get hold of your personal information.

False
Correct answer: True

Q4.
If you think someone is at risk online, what should you do?

Mention it to your friend but leave them to do what they want to do
Correct answer: Talk to a trusted adult and tell them that you are worried about your friend
Talk to them and ask them to speak to a trusted adult.

Q5.
Misinformation is easily spread online. This is used by extremist groups. What could you do to reduce this?

Correct answer: Check to see if the information is accurate before sharing
Share information with friends because you agree
Share information with people because you are surprised