Lesson 2: Online Safety, Security, Ethics, and Etiquette

1️⃣ What is Online Safety?

Online safety means protecting yourself from harm, threats, scams, and risks while using the internet.

Examples of online threats:

• Phishing links

• Fake pages

• Online predators

• Harmful strangers

• Oversharing personal details

• Clicking suspicious downloads
  
  

Main goal: Keep your identity, data, and devices safe.

2️⃣ What is Online Security?

Online security refers to the systems and practices we use to prevent unauthorized access and protect our digital information.

Examples:

• Strong passwords

• Two-factor authentication (2FA)

• Updating passwords regularly

• Avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks

• Backing up files

• Antivirus and security settings

Online safety = personal behavior
Online security = tools + protective systems

3️⃣ Online Ethics: Doing the Right Thing Online

Ethics online refers to making morally good decisions when using technology.

Good digital ethics includes:

• Giving credit to the original creator

• Avoiding piracy

• Using data responsibly

• Telling the truth online

• Respecting privacy

• Not spreading harmful content

Unethical behaviors:

• Stealing content

• Plagiarism

• Spreading fake news

• Cyberbullying

• Impersonation

Ethics = choosing to do what is RIGHT even when nobody is watching.

4️⃣ Online Etiquette (Netiquette): Proper Behavior Online

Netiquette means respectful and proper online behavior, such as:

• No shouting IN ALL CAPS

• Avoiding flame wars

• Being kind in comments and chats

• Using respectful language

• Responding appropriately in group chats

• Avoiding spam, chain messages, and flooding
  
  

Netiquette in class:

• Messaging your teacher politely

• Using proper email greetings

• Avoiding sending blank or unclear submissions

• Using the right platform for the right purpose

5️⃣ Identifying Deceptive Information

Students should be able to judge if a source is reliable or fake.

Red flags of deceptive content:

• Clickbait titles

• No author / anonymous source

• No citations

• Edited images

• Claims with no evidence

• Misleading graphs

• Fake social media accounts
  
  

Tips for verifying:

• Cross-check with other sources

• Look for official websites

• Check the publication date

• Look at the URL (.com.co = suspicious)

6️⃣ What Should You Make Public?

Some information must never be posted online:

❌ Personal details (full name, address, birthday)
❌ Passwords
❌ School/home schedules
❌ ID pictures
❌ Location tagging
❌ OTP codes
❌ Family problems
❌ Full academic records

Safe to share:
✔️ School outputs
✔️ Accomplishments
✔️ Non-sensitive photos
✔️ Hobbies

Once something is online, you can’t fully take it back. Think before you post.