How media affects health
Media means videos, games, social apps, news and ads. Media can be useful, but too much of it can harm us.
- Sleep: bright screens late at night make it hard to sleep.
- Eyes and body: long screen time tires the eyes and we sit too much.
- Feelings: comparing yourself with perfect-looking posts can make you sad. Scary content can cause fear.
- Truth: some posts are rumours or ads that pretend to be news.
Good habits: set screen time limits, stop screens before bed, play outside, and check the source. Ask: who wrote this, is it proved, is someone trying to sell me something?
Keeping your computer safe
A computer or phone can be attacked by malware. Malware is a bad program. A virus hides in a file and spreads. Other kinds steal passwords or lock your files.
- Install updates. They fix weak spots.
- Use antivirus and keep it on.
- Do not open unknown files, links or pop-ups.
- Download apps only from trusted stores.
- Use a strong password: long, with letters, numbers and symbols, different for each account.
- Lock your screen when you leave, and log out on shared computers.
Risky online communities
An online community is a group of people who chat or play together. Most are fine, but some are risky. Watch for red flags:
- They ask for money or gifts.
- They ask for secrets such as your address, school or photos.
- They scare you or say "do not tell your parents".
- They push you to do dangerous things or to hate other people.
- A new "friend" wants to meet in person.
If you see a red flag: stop talking, do not share anything, save a screenshot, tell a trusted adult, then block and report.
Protecting personal data
Personal data is information that tells who you are: full name, home address, phone number, school, photos, passwords, OTP codes and bank details. Bad people can use it to cheat you or harass you.
- Never share passwords or OTP with anyone. Not even a friend.
- Share as little as possible, and only on sites you trust.
- Use privacy settings so only people you know can see your posts.
- Think before you post: once posted, it can be copied and may stay forever.
- Use a different password for each account.
Online shopping risks
Online shops can be safe, but fake shops exist. Before you pay, check:
- The address starts with https and shows a lock sign.
- The shop is known, with real reviews and a contact address.
- The price is fair. A price that is far too low is a warning sign.
- The payment is safe: a trusted payment page or cash on delivery. Never pay by sending money to a stranger.
Always ask a parent before buying anything. Never type card details on a page you reached from a message link.
Try it
With a parent, look at the privacy settings of one app you use. Who can see your posts? Change it so only friends can. Then make a new strong password: pick four random words and add a number and a symbol.
Key formulas and definitions
- Phishing = a fake message that tricks you into giving a secret
- Malware = a bad program (virus, spyware, ransomware)
- Strong password = long + letters + numbers + symbols + different for each account
- Safe shop = https + known shop + fair price + safe payment
- Red flags = asks for money, asks for secrets, scares you
Worked examples
1. A pop-up says "Your phone has a virus! Tap to clean it." What should you do?
Do not tap. Close the pop-up, run your own antivirus and tell an adult. Such pop-ups are often tricks that install real malware.
2. A new person in your game chat asks for your home address to send a gift. What do you do?
Do not reply with any detail. An address is personal data and this is a red flag. Take a screenshot, tell a trusted adult, then block and report the player.
3. A website sells a new branded phone for a quarter of the usual price and asks for payment by sending money to a personal account. Is it safe?
No. The price is too good to be true and the payment method is unsafe. Do not pay, and tell an adult.
4. Which of these is a strong password: "rahul123", "Blue-Mango-Train-47!", "password"?
"Blue-Mango-Train-47!" is strong: long, mixed characters, hard to guess. The other two are easy to guess.
5. A post says "Forward this to 10 people or something bad will happen." What do you do?
Do not forward it. It is a chain message and it plays on fear. Check the source, and if it is false, delete it.
6. List four things to check before you buy on a website.
The address starts with https and has a lock, the shop is known with real reviews, the price is fair, and the payment method is safe. Also ask a parent.
Common mistakes
- Sharing a password or OTP with a friend or a "helper". Nobody honest will ask for it.
- Clicking a link because it looks exciting, such as "You won a prize".
- Believing something because many people share it. Check the source.
- Using the same password everywhere, so one leak opens every account.