Internet & Identity · lesson 15 of 17 · 15 min
When something feels wrong online
Sometimes when you are online, you will come across something that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, confused, or just “off.” That feeling is important — it is your brain sending you a safety signal. Learning to recognize and act on that feeling is one of the most valuable cybersecurity skills you can develop.
You do not have to figure out every online problem by yourself. There are trusted adults around you — parents, guardians, teachers, school counselors — whose job is to help you stay safe. The sooner you tell them, the sooner they can help.
Remember the three-step rule: Stop. Think. Tell. Stop what you are doing. Think about whether something feels wrong. Tell a trusted adult right away. These three steps will protect you in almost any online situation.
Stop. Think. Tell. When something feels wrong online: Stop what you are doing. Think about whether it is safe. Tell a trusted adult right away. You will never get in trouble for asking for help.
Situations that need a trusted adult
Always tell a trusted adult when…
Something scares you You see something scary, violent, or disturbing online. Asked for personal info Someone online asks for your address, phone number, school, or password. Mean messages Someone is sending you mean, threatening, or hurtful messages. Meet in person Someone you only know online asks to meet you in real life. Accidental click You accidentally clicked something suspicious or downloaded something unexpected. Suspicious offer Someone offers you prizes, gifts, or money for no clear reason. Inappropriate content You see content that seems inappropriate for your age. Not sure You are unsure whether something is safe, real, or appropriate.
What happens when you tell a trusted adult?
Some kids worry that telling a trusted adult will get them in trouble, or that the adult will take away their device. But trusted adults are there to help — not to punish. Here is what usually happens when you tell a trusted adult about an online problem:
- They listen to what happened without getting angry at you.
- They help you figure out what to do next — like blocking someone or changing a password.
- They may report the problem to the website or app.
- They help make sure the same thing does not happen again.
The worst thing you can do is keep an online problem secret. Problems that are kept secret usually get worse over time. Telling a trusted adult quickly gives them the best chance to help.
Key words to remember
Stop. Think. Tell.
- Safety signal
- Trusted adult
- Reporting
- Block
Match each situation to the right response
What to do when something feels wrong — quiz
You see something online that makes you feel scared. What is the best first step?
- Keep scrolling and ignore it
- Share it with your friends
- Stop, close the page, and tell a trusted adult
- Try to fix it yourself
Answer: Stop, close the page, and tell a trusted adult
Stop, Think, Tell — always get a trusted adult involved when something feels wrong.
Who is a trusted adult you can go to when something feels wrong online?
- A stranger you met in an online game
- A parent, guardian, or teacher
- Your online friends
- Anyone who messages you first
Answer: A parent, guardian, or teacher
Trusted adults like parents, guardians, and teachers are the right people to help you.
You should try to handle scary online situations by yourself without telling anyone.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Always tell a trusted adult. You don’t have to handle online problems alone.
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 for handling almost any unsafe online situation.
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 is a “safety signal”?
- A type of alarm on your device
- A feeling of discomfort or fear that tells you something might be wrong
- A message from a trusted adult
- A warning pop-up on a website
Answer: A feeling of discomfort or fear that tells you something might be wrong
Your feelings are an important safety signal. If something feels wrong online, trust that feeling and tell a trusted adult.
What usually happens when you tell a trusted adult about an online problem?
- They take away your device permanently
- They listen and help you figure out what to do next
- They ignore it
- They tell all your friends
Answer: They listen and help you figure out what to do next
Trusted adults are there to help — they will listen and work with you to solve the problem.
What should you do if someone online asks to meet you in person?
- Agree if they seem nice
- Tell a trusted adult right away
- Ask them for their address first
- Ignore it and keep chatting
Answer: Tell a trusted adult right away
Anyone asking to meet in person is a serious safety concern. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
What is the worst thing you can do when you have an online problem?
- Tell a trusted adult
- Keep it secret
- Block the person
- Close the app
Answer: Keep it secret
Keeping online problems secret usually makes them worse. Telling a trusted adult quickly gives them the best chance to help.
If you accidentally clicked something suspicious, you should tell a trusted adult even though it was an accident.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Accidents happen — and telling a trusted adult quickly gives them the best chance to prevent any damage.
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