Who is a trusted adult?
The internet is an amazing place full of things to learn, games to play, and friends to talk to — but sometimes you will come across something confusing, scary, or unsafe. When that happens, the most important thing you can do is talk to a trusted adult.
A trusted adult is someone you know in real life who cares about your safety and wellbeing. They are people you can go to with any problem — big or small — and they will help you without making you feel bad for asking. Trusted adults are not strangers on the internet, no matter how friendly those strangers seem.
Examples of trusted adults include your parents or guardians, your teachers, your school principal or counselor, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or another family friend that your parents have approved. The key is that you know them in real life and they are responsible for helping keep you safe.
Important rule: A trusted adult is always someone you know in real life. Someone you only know from a game, chat, or social media — no matter how nice they seem — is NOT a trusted adult.
When should you ask a trusted adult?
There are many situations online where asking a trusted adult is the right move. You should always reach out to a trusted adult when any of the following happen:
Ask a trusted adult when…
Something feels wrong A website, message, or person online makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused. Asked for personal info A website, app, or person asks for your name, address, phone number, or school. Someone wants to meet A person you only know online asks to meet you in real life. You are not sure You are unsure whether something is safe, real, or appropriate. Mean messages Someone is being unkind, threatening, or bullying you online. Too-good offers Someone offers you prizes, gifts, or money online for no clear reason.
It is always okay to ask
Some kids worry that if they tell a trusted adult about something that happened online, they will get in trouble. This worry is very common, but it is important to understand: you will never get in trouble for asking for help or reporting something that made you uncomfortable. Trusted adults want to help you — that is their job.
Think of it this way: if you tripped and hurt your knee on the playground, you would tell a teacher right away. Online problems are the same. The sooner you tell a trusted adult, the sooner they can help fix the situation. Waiting or keeping it secret usually makes things worse.
Even if you accidentally clicked something you should not have, or visited a website that turned out to be inappropriate — telling a trusted adult is still the right thing to do. Accidents happen, and trusted adults understand that.
Remember the rule: Stop, Think, Tell. Stop what you are doing. Think about whether something feels wrong. Tell a trusted adult. These three steps will keep you safe in almost any online situation.
Key words to remember
- Trusted adult
- Stop, Think, Tell
- Online stranger
- Uncomfortable
- Reporting
Match each situation to the right action
Trusted adults — quiz
Who is a trusted adult?
- A friendly person you met in an online game
- A parent, teacher, or counselor you know in real life
- Anyone who is nice to you online
- A famous person on social media
Answer: A parent, teacher, or counselor you know in real life
A trusted adult is always someone you know in real life — not someone you only know from the internet.
What should you do if a website asks for your home address?
- Type it in — websites need it
- Ask a trusted adult before giving any information
- Make up a fake address
- Close the computer forever
Answer: Ask a trusted adult before giving any information
Always check with a trusted adult before giving any personal information to a website or app.
You will get in trouble if you tell a trusted adult about something uncomfortable you saw online.
- True
- False
Answer: False
You will never get in trouble for asking for help. Trusted adults want to help you stay safe.
What are the three steps of "Stop, Think, Tell"?
- Search, Type, Log out
- Stop what you are doing, Think about whether it feels wrong, Tell a trusted adult
- Sit down, Talk to friends, Look it up
- Save, Think, Delete
Answer: Stop what you are doing, Think about whether it feels wrong, Tell a trusted adult
Stop, Think, Tell is a simple three-step rule that helps you handle almost any unsafe online situation.
Someone you only know from a game offers you a prize and asks for your address. What should you do?
- Give your address — a prize sounds great
- Tell a trusted adult right away
- Ask for more details about the prize first
- Share the offer with your friends
Answer: Tell a trusted adult right away
Strangers offering prizes online are a common trick to get personal information. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
If you accidentally clicked something you should not have, you should keep it secret so you do not get in trouble.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Always tell a trusted adult about accidents online. The sooner they know, the sooner they can help fix the situation.
Which of these is a trusted adult?
- A person in a chat room who says they are a teacher
- Your actual teacher at school
- A friendly player in an online game
- A social media influencer
Answer: Your actual teacher at school
Your actual teacher is someone you know in real life who is responsible for your safety.
Why is it important to tell a trusted adult quickly when something feels wrong online?
- So they can punish the bad person
- Because the sooner they know, the sooner they can help fix the situation
- So they can take away your device
- Because the internet will break otherwise
Answer: Because the sooner they know, the sooner they can help fix the situation
Acting quickly gives trusted adults the best chance to help. Waiting or keeping secrets usually makes problems worse.
What should you do if someone online is being mean or threatening to you?
- Be mean back
- Keep it secret
- Do not reply — tell a trusted adult and report it
- Share the messages with all your friends
Answer: Do not reply — tell a trusted adult and report it
Do not engage with someone being mean online. Tell a trusted adult and use the report button.
Your feelings are an important safety signal online.
- True
- False
Answer: True
If something feels wrong, uncomfortable, or scary online, that feeling is your brain telling you to be careful. Trust it and tell a trusted adult.