Cyber Explorer Skills · lesson 7 of 16 · 15 min
Spot the safe choice
In this practice lesson, you will sharpen your ability to recognize safe and unsafe choices online. Good cybersecurity is about building fast, reliable instincts — so that when you face a real situation, you know exactly what to do without hesitation.
For each scenario below, think carefully before answering. Consider everything you have learned about scams, passwords, privacy, downloads, and safe browsing. The key questions are always: Do I know who sent this? Was I expecting this? Does something feel off? Would a trusted adult approve?
Remember the key questions: Do I know who sent this? Was I expecting this? Does something feel off? Would a trusted adult approve? When in doubt, pause and ask a trusted adult before acting.
How to think through scenarios
When you face an online situation, use this three-step process:
- Stop. Do not act immediately — pause and think.
- Think. Run through the key questions. Does anything feel wrong?
- Act safely. Choose the safest option — and tell a trusted adult if you are unsure.
This process works for every online situation — suspicious messages, pop-ups, download requests, friend requests from strangers, and more.
Key words to remember
- Safe choice
- Stop, Think, Act
- Red flag
- Instinct
- Scenario
Match each scenario to the safe choice
Spot the safe choice — quiz
You get an email saying you won a $500 gift card. It asks for your home address to mail it. What is the safe choice?
- Enter your address — $500 is a lot of money
- Delete the email and tell a trusted adult
- Reply asking for more details
- Forward it to your friends
Answer: Delete the email and tell a trusted adult
This is a classic fake prize scam. Delete it and tell a trusted adult.
A new app asks for permission to access your contacts and microphone. The app is a simple calculator. What is the safe choice?
- Allow both permissions
- Allow only the microphone
- Deny both permissions — a calculator does not need them
- Delete the app and get a different one
Answer: Deny both permissions — a calculator does not need them
A calculator has no reason to access contacts or a microphone. Deny unnecessary permissions.
Your friend asks for your password to help you log in to a game. What is the safe choice?
- Give them the password — they are your friend
- Ask a trusted adult to help instead
- Change your password to something simple first
- Write it on a sticky note for them
Answer: Ask a trusted adult to help instead
Passwords should never be shared, even with friends. Ask a trusted adult to help.
A pop-up says “Your computer has a virus! Call 1-800-FIX-NOW!” What is the safe choice?
- Call the number immediately
- Click OK to fix the virus
- Close the browser tab and tell a trusted adult
- Enter your password to verify your identity
Answer: Close the browser tab and tell a trusted adult
This is a fake virus warning scam. Close the tab and tell a trusted adult.
A stranger in an online game asks for your home address to send you a gift. What is the safe choice?
- Give them your address — a gift sounds nice
- Give them a fake address
- Refuse, block them, and tell a trusted adult
- Ask them to send it to your school instead
Answer: Refuse, block them, and tell a trusted adult
No one in an online game should ever need your home address. This is a red flag.
You receive a message from an unknown number saying “Click this link to claim your reward.” What is the safe choice?
- Click the link — rewards are exciting
- Reply asking what the reward is
- Do not click, and tell a trusted adult
- Forward it to friends to see if they got it too
Answer: Do not click, and tell a trusted adult
Unexpected messages with links are a major red flag. Do not click and tell a trusted adult.
A website asks you to create an account and wants your full name, birthday, and home address. What is the safe choice?
- Enter all the information — websites need it
- Ask a trusted adult before entering personal information
- Enter fake information
- Only enter your birthday
Answer: Ask a trusted adult before entering personal information
Always check with a trusted adult before entering personal information on a website.
You are about to download a free version of a paid game from an unofficial website. What is the safe choice?
- Download it — free is better
- Download it and scan it with antivirus first
- Do not download it — get it from an official store instead
- Ask a friend if they downloaded it safely
Answer: Do not download it — get it from an official store instead
Free versions of paid apps from unofficial sites often contain malware. Use official stores only.
The three steps for safe online decisions are: Stop, Think, Act safely.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Stop (pause), Think (run through key questions), Act safely (choose the safest option).
What should you do when you are not sure if an online choice is safe?
- Make the choice quickly and hope for the best
- Pause and ask a trusted adult before acting
- Ask a friend online
- Ignore it and move on
Answer: Pause and ask a trusted adult before acting
When in doubt, always pause and check with a trusted adult before making an online decision.
Try it: Spot the safe choice
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