Cyber Safe Families

Cyber Safe Families simplifies important conversations about online safety and introduces cybersecurity topics for kids and families outside of the classroom. Built around CYBER.ORG's engaging Cyber Safety Video Series, each activity guide is flexible and designed for real-world use. This course gives families, teachers, and non-teachers alike the tools to build confidence, safety, and awareness in the digital world whether in the classroom or at home.

What You'll Learn

Making Strong Passwords

For ages 5-8, learners discover how to create passwords that are fun, memorable, and safe without using private details.
For ages 9-11, learners explore why strong passwords matter and practice building secure combinations using words, numbers, and symbols.
For ages 12-14, learners analyze what makes a password strong, test examples, and reflect on how good password habits can strengthen their overall online safety.

Multi-Factor Authentication

For ages 5-8, learners connect MFA to familiar ideas, such as a superhero’s cape and shield, to understand how extra protection keeps information safe.
For ages 9-11, learners discover how MFA adds an extra “lock” beyond a password and practice recognizing safe and secure login methods.
For ages 12-14, learners dive deeper into how MFA works, why it matters, and how to turn it on for common apps and devices through real-life examples and hands-on activities.

Protecting Ourselves from Phishing Attempts

For ages 5-8, learners are introduced to what phishing is and explore simple strategies to protect themselves and their families from tricky messages.
For ages 9-11, learners examine how scammers use fake messages, practice spotting warning signs through a “Phishing or Not?” game, and learn what steps to take when something seems suspicious.
For ages 12-14, learners take a deeper look at common phishing tactics, learning how to recognize red flags and stay safe by slowing down, thinking critically, and avoiding unsafe links or requests for personal information.

Ransomware

For ages 5-8, learners compare ransomware to a locked toy box, helping them understand that some digital “locks” are bad and learning simple habits to keep devices safe.
For ages 9-11, learners explore how ransomware works, why scammers use it, and how to avoid it by being careful with links and downloads, recognizing it as a computer “trap” that locks files.
For ages 12-14, learners take a deeper look at why ransomware is dangerous and learn practical safety strategies such as avoiding suspicious links, keeping backups, and using updated security tools to protect their information.

Staying Safe While Gaming Online

For ages 5-8, learners explore simple safety habits, such as keeping personal information private so they can have fun gaming while staying protected.
For ages 9-11, learners discover why safe usernames and careful sharing matter, learning how to enjoy online gaming with friends while avoiding risky behaviors.
For ages 12-14, learners take a deeper look at online gaming safety by learning how to protect personal information, avoid scams, use reporting tools, and maintain respectful behavior in online gaming communities.

Video Call Awareness

For ages 5-8, learners discover how to be safe, polite, and prepared through a fun “Video Call Superstar” activity where they act out the right and wrong ways to participate in video calls.
For ages 9-11, learners explore key safety strategies and create their own “My Video Call Safety Rules” list to guide smart choices during virtual conversations.
For ages 12-14, learners examine common risks like oversharing, unwanted guests, and distracting backgrounds while building smart habits to stay safe and respectful during video calls.

Being Smart on Social Media

For ages 5-8, learners explore simple ways to stay safe on social media while discussing both the fun opportunities and the risks of using these platforms at a young age.
For ages 9-11, learners design a pretend social media profile to practice sharing safe, positive information while learning to recognize what personal details should stay private.
For ages 12-14, learners take a deeper look at the risks and benefits of social media, learning how to protect personal information, adjust privacy settings, behave responsibly online, and respond to inappropriate or hurtful content.

Things of the Internet

For ages 5-8, learners identify smart devices around them, discuss their benefits and privacy risks, and play an “I Spy” game to recognize that each IoT device comes with advantages and security concerns.
For ages 9-11, learners explore common IoT devices, weigh their benefits and risks, and complete a “Worth the Risk?” activity to decide which devices they feel comfortable using.
For ages 12-14, learners take a deeper look at how IoT devices connect to the internet, learn about potential security risks, and practice smart habits to keep their devices and personal information safe.

Artificial Intelligence - Using AI Responsibly

For ages 5-8, the learner explores how AI finds patterns in information by sorting and comparing items, and learning that people must check AI results to make sure they make sense.
For ages 9-11, the learner acts as the “AI” to experience how answers can sound confident even when they are wrong, reinforcing the importance of human judgment when using AI tools.
For ages 12-14, the learner examines how the information chosen for an AI system affects its results, considering fairness, missing data, and why thoughtful human input is critical for helpful and responsible AI use.

Artificial Intelligence - Using AI for Good

For ages 5-8, the learner practices turning everyday questions into “better questions,” discovering how asking for help can build understanding rather than just give answers.
For ages 9-11, the learner compares help from people and AI to decide when support is helpful and when it replaces their own thought process.
For ages 12-14, the learner explores how AI can assist with planning and organization by identifying patterns and managing busy schedules, while still keeping important decisions in human hands.

Artificial Intelligence - Sharing Info with AI

For ages 5-8, the learner explores what kind of information makes Al more useful and what information should stay private, practicing thoughtful and cyber-smart sharing.
For ages 9-11, the learner examines how repeated actions and shared data shape AI responses, learning how personalization is created through patterns.
For ages 12-14, the learner investigates how pattern-based AI systems make decisions for many people at once, exploring how scale can lead to different responses depending on the data and rules used.