Elementary (3-5)

As children move into the upper elementary years, their digital world expands quickly. Students in grades 3–5 are using the internet for research, creating projects, playing online games with friends, and sometimes exploring messaging apps or social platforms for the first time. With this growing independence comes the need for stronger cyber safety skills.

At this age, children are ready to understand more about why online safety matters — not just what the rules are. They can begin to think critically about the information they see, recognize when something online feels off, and learn how their digital actions affect themselves and others. Our goal is to help students become thoughtful, respectful, and safe digital citizens while keeping parents and guardians actively involved in their online lives.

Key Cyber Safety Topics

Important concepts for this age group include:

• Protecting personal information. Full names, school names, addresses, passwords, and photos should stay private. Strong passwords matter — and they shouldn't be shared, even with friends.
• Recognizing online strangers. People online aren't always who they say they are. Students should never agree to meet someone in person they've only met online.
• Thinking before posting. Words and pictures shared online can be hard to take back. The "grandma rule" works well: if you wouldn't want grandma to see it, don't post it.
• Spotting scams and clickbait. Pop-ups, "you've won!" messages, and suspicious links are often tricks. When in doubt, ask an adult.
• Standing up to cyberbullying. Be kind online, never join in on mean messages, and tell a trusted adult if you or a friend is being treated unkindly.
• Balancing screen time. Time online is just one part of a healthy day that also includes reading, playing outside, and time with family.f

Resources for Parents and Guardians

These trusted resources can support your family's cyber safety conversations at home:

• Common Sense Media - follow the lesson guide in the Padlet and complete with students in class. When complete, check off the student who completed the lesson in WVEIS under the CIPA Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Form tab
• NetSmartzKids — A program from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, offering videos, games, and activities designed for young children.
• FBI Safe Online Surfing (SOS) — A free, teacher-approved program with age-appropriate cyber safety lessons.
• FTC's Kids and Computer Security — Federal Trade Commission tips for parents on protecting children's privacy and safety online.
• PBS Kids Parent Guide to Screen Time — Guidance on choosing quality digital content and balancing screen time with other activities.
• ConnectSafely — Parent guides on popular platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, YouTube, and TikTok.
• StopBullying.gov — Federal resources on recognizing and responding to cyberbullying.
• National PTA's The Smart Talk — A helpful tool for creating a family agreement about device use.

Keep the Conversation Going

The best cyber safety strategy is an ongoing dialogue. Ask your child open-ended questions like, "What's your favorite thing to do online right now?" or "Have you ever seen something online that made you feel weird?" Make it clear that they can come to you with any online problem without fear of losing device privileges as a first response. When children trust that adults will help rather than punish, they're far more likely to ask for guidance when it matters most.