Internet safety
Patricia Ndlovu
Sibusiso Khumalo
English
First paragraphs
We use the internet for learning, playing games, finding information, shopping, and communicating.
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But the internet can be a dangerous place for children.
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This is because there are people who use the internet for bad reasons.
1
Some bad people using the internet are:
  • Identity thieves who steal personal details and use them for crime.
  • Cyberbullies who harass, embarrass, or humiliate others.
  • Online groomers who form relationships with children on the internet, with the aim of abuse.
2
To stay safe from thieves, never share this personal information on the internet:
  • Your real name.
  • Phone numbers.
  • ID number.
  • Home address.
  • Details about your family.
  • Where you go to school.
3
A cyberbully is someone who:
  • Shares and posts negative content about you.
  • Is unkind to you.
  • Is on social media, in chat rooms, game rooms and in emails.
Tell someone you trust if you are worried about a bully.
4
Online groomers try to:
  • Find out everything about you.
  • Develop a trusting relationship with you.
  • Seem good, kind, and caring.
  • Ask for a photo of you.
  • Persuade you to do harmful things.
Be careful of anyone you don't know.
5
Not only do we find bad people on the internet. There is also bad information.
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Do not believe everything you read on the internet is true!
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Ask a parent or teacher to help you check if information on the internet is true or false.
6
As you work on the internet:
  • Be responsible.
  • Be respectful.
  • Be alert.
If you do all this, you will be safe on the internet. If you feel unsafe, check with your parent or teacher.
7
Think carefully before you post anything on the internet! When you share information, you are responsible for what you share.
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Pictures you post or things you say can be used against you (or your family).
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The internet never forgets what you post, even if you delete it.
8
Respect yourself and other internet users by what you say, what you post, and what you do.
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Never feel ashamed to tell your parents about anything that happens on the internet, or about anyone you meet online.
9
Always be alert when you are on the internet. Not everyone who seems to be your friend, is your friend.
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Use the information in this book to guide you to stay safe on the internet.
10

——Questions


  1. Name two things you can do on the internet.
  2. Name three types of people who do bad things on the internet.
  3. Why is it important to ask a teacher or parent to help you when working on the internet?
  4. Write down two things you should never share on the internet.
  5. What should you do when you feel unsafe on the internet?
11

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This book is one in a series of four books introducing topics in computer technology.
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The storybook was created for the Zenex Ulwazi Lwethu reading materials project in 2021.
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Attribution CC BY
Your attribution should include the following:
Title: Internet safety
Author/s: Patricia Ndlovu
Translator/s: Patricia Ndlovu
Illustrator/s: Sibusiso Khumalo
Assurer/s: African Storybook
Language: English

© Zenex Foundation - Saide 2024

CC BY includes the following elements:
 BY   – Credit must be given to the creator