About This Lesson
Staying Safe from Online Harm is a ready-to-use, 45-minute lesson designed to help middle school students recognize online risks, set digital boundaries, identify red flags, support their peers, and know when and how to seek help from a safe adult.
Created by LifeSmarts in partnership with Childhelp and Meta, the lesson addresses online grooming and exploitation, sextortion, deepfakes, privacy, reporting, and other situations young people may encounter online. Students learn five Critical Messages: Help Prevent, Peer Support, Never Your Fault, Tell Someone, and There Is Help.
The complete lesson package includes a PowerPoint lesson with presenter script, printable presenter practice script, facilitator lesson plan, vocabulary resource, My Safety Plan activity, Online Safety Pledge, student reference handouts, a post-lesson parent handout, and an optional middle-school parent permission/opt-out form.
The lesson combines short animated videos, guided discussion, scenarios, and student activities and is designed to fit within approximately one 45-minute class period. Presenter guidance is provided throughout to help educators discuss sensitive topics using age-appropriate language.
Educators can use the complete lesson as provided or select optional supporting materials based on the needs of their students and school community.
