Meena loves using the internet for learning and watching videos. One day, a stranger online asked her for her home address. Meena felt uncomfortable and immediately told her mother. Her mother was proud of her — Meena had done exactly the right thing!
The internet is a wonderful tool, but just like we follow safety rules on the road, we must follow safety rules online too. This is called cybersafety. Let us learn how to stay safe on the internet.
Cybersafety means staying safe while using the internet and digital devices. It includes protecting your personal information, being kind online, and knowing what to do when something feels wrong.
Personal information is any information that can identify you or help someone find you. You must NEVER share this with strangers online.
| Personal Information | Why it is dangerous to share |
|---|---|
| Full name | Strangers can use it to find out more about you |
| Home address | Someone could come to your house |
| Phone number | Strangers could call or message you |
| School name | Someone could find you at school |
| Passwords | Someone could access your accounts |
| Photos | Strangers could misuse your photos |
Arjun's rule: "If I would not tell a stranger on the street, I will not tell them online either."
A password is a secret code that protects your accounts. A strong password is hard for others to guess.
Use: At least 8 characters, a mix of letters (UPPER and lower), numbers, and symbols (like @, #, !).
Avoid: Your name, birthday, "password", "1234", or anything easy to guess.
Weak password: ravi123 (easy to guess)
Strong password: Rv@2024#Sun (hard to guess, mix of characters)
Never share your password with anyone — not even your best friend!
Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet or digital devices to hurt, threaten, embarrass, or be unkind to another person.
Sending mean or hurtful messages to someone online.
Posting unkind comments about someone on a website.
Sharing someone's photos without their permission to embarrass them.
Leaving someone out of online group activities on purpose.
Step 1: Do not reply to the bully — it often makes things worse.
Step 2: Save or take a screenshot of the hurtful message as evidence.
Step 3: Block the person who is bullying you.
Step 4: Tell a trusted adult — a parent, teacher, or school counsellor — immediately.
Remember: It is never your fault if someone bullies you online.
Screen time is the amount of time you spend looking at a screen (computer, phone, tablet, TV). Too much screen time can affect your health.
| Too Much Screen Time Can Cause | Healthy Habits Instead |
|---|---|
| Eye strain and headaches | Take a 5-minute break every 30 minutes |
| Poor sleep | No screens 1 hour before bedtime |
| Less physical activity | Play outside, do sports, or exercise daily |
| Less time with family | Have screen-free family meals and activities |
If anything online makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, always tell a trusted adult — a parent, guardian, or teacher. You will never get in trouble for reporting something that worried you.
A parent or guardian, a teacher, a school counsellor, or another family member you trust.
Ravi's rule: "If something online feels wrong, I tell Maa or Papa straight away."
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cybersafety | Staying safe while using the internet and digital devices |
| Personal information | Information that can identify you, like your name, address, or phone number |
| Password | A secret code that protects your online accounts |
| Cyberbullying | Using the internet to hurt, threaten, or embarrass someone |
| Screen time | The amount of time spent looking at a screen |
| Trusted adult | A parent, teacher, or guardian you can go to for help |
Finished learning? Now test what you know!