Information Literacy: Your Guide to Being a Super Smart & Safe Internet Detective!
Hello amazing students!
Welcome to your super study notes on Information Literacy. That might sound like a big, tricky phrase, but it just means being smart, safe, and respectful when you use the internet, your tablet, or a computer.
Think of it like being an Internet Detective! You'll learn how to find good information, protect your secrets, and be a kind friend online. These skills are super important to help you learn, have fun, and stay safe in the digital world. Let's get started!
Section 1: Healthy Habits for a Happy You!
Using tablets and computers is fun, but we need to make sure we're being healthy about it. It's all about finding a good balance!
Balancing Screen Time and Play Time
Your brain and body need different kinds of activities every day! It's important to balance your time.
- Play Time: Running outside, playing with toys, and drawing are great for your body and imagination.
- Learn Time: Doing your homework and reading books helps your brain grow.
- Screen Time: Using the internet or playing games on a tablet is fun, but too much can make you tired.
- Rest Time: Getting enough sleep is super important! Make sure you turn off screens before bedtime so your brain can relax.
Your Body is a Superhero - Protect It!
- Protect Your Eyes: Staring at a screen for too long can make your eyes tired. Remember the 20-20-20 rule! Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Protect Your Back: Sit up straight when you're using a device. Don't slouch! This protects your spine and stops you from getting aches and pains.
Key Takeaway for Section 1
Be the boss of your screen! Use devices for fun and learning, but remember to play, rest, and sit properly to keep your body healthy and strong.
Section 2: Protecting Your Secret Information (Privacy)
Imagine you have a secret treehouse. You only give the key to your most trusted friends, right? Your personal information is like that secret key. It's private, and you need to protect it!
What is Personal Information?
This is information that is just about YOU. It's what makes you, you!
- Your full name
- Your home address
- Your phone number
- Your school's name
- Your passwords
Rule #1: Never share this information with strangers online! It's like giving the key to your house to someone you don't know.
Passwords: The Keys to Your Digital World
A password is a secret word or code that protects your accounts. A good password is a strong password!
Example:
A weak password: "password" or "12345"
A stronger password: "BlueCat5Sun!"
Quick Review: Be a Password Pro!
- Keep it secret and don't share it with anyone (except your parents).
- Make it long and mix letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Don't use personal information like your name or birthday.
Key Takeaway for Section 2
Your personal information is precious. Keep your private information private! Create strong passwords and never share them. If someone online asks for your private info, tell a trusted adult right away.
Section 3: Playing Fair with People's Ideas (Intellectual Property)
When you draw a picture or write a story, that's your idea! It belongs to you. The same is true for things on the internet.
What is Copyright?
Copyright is like a rule that says you can't copy someone else's work and say it's yours. This includes:
- Pictures and photos
- Music and songs
- Stories and articles
- Videos and movies
Using someone's work without asking or giving them credit is like stealing. This is called piracy. We should always say "NO" to piracy!
How to Play Fair Online
- Use legal sources: Only download pictures, music, and games from safe and proper websites that are allowed to share them.
- Give credit: If you use information from a website for a school project, always say where you got it from. This is called citing your sources. It shows respect for the person who created it!
Did You Know?
Just because something is on the internet, it doesn't mean it's free for anyone to take! Most things are protected by copyright.
Key Takeaway for Section 3
Respect other people's creations. Always get information and pictures from legal places, and give credit to the creator. It's the right and fair thing to do!
Section 4: Be a Buddy, Not a Bully (Cyberbullying)
The internet is a place to connect with friends. The most important rule online is the same as in the playground: Be Kind!
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is being mean or hurtful to someone using technology like computers or phones. It is NEVER okay.
Examples include:
- Sending mean messages.
- Sharing embarrassing photos or videos of someone.
- Leaving someone out of an online group on purpose.
- Spreading rumours online.
- Doxxing: This is a very serious type of cyberbullying where someone shares another person's private information online without permission to hurt them.
What to Do if You See Cyberbullying
Don't worry, you are not alone, and there are simple steps to take. Remember: Stop, Block, and Tell!
- Stop: Don't reply to the mean message. Just step away from the screen.
- Block: Block the person so they can't contact you again.
- Tell: Tell a trusted adult immediately. This could be a parent, a teacher, or another family member. They can help you.
Key Takeaway for Section 4
Always be respectful and kind to others online. If you see or experience something that makes you feel sad or scared, remember to Stop, Block, and Tell an adult.
Section 5: Being a Media Detective
The internet has SO much information. Some of it is true, but some of it is not. A good internet detective knows how to tell the difference!
Fact vs. Opinion
- A fact is something that is true and can be proven. Example: "The Earth has one moon."
- An opinion is what someone thinks or feels. Example: "Blue is the best colour."
It's important to know if you're reading a fact or someone's opinion.
Watch Out for Fake News!
Fake news is false information that is made to look real. It's designed to trick you! Here’s how to spot it:
- Check the source: Is it from a website you trust?
- Look for mistakes: Fake news often has spelling mistakes.
- How does it make you feel? Does it try to make you feel super angry or scared? That can be a trick.
- Ask an adult: If you're not sure, ask a teacher or parent to help you check!
Important rule: If you're not sure if something is true, don't share it! Sharing fake news can cause problems.
Key Takeaway for Section 5
Think before you believe! Ask questions about the information you see online. Learn to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion, and never share something if you think it might be fake news.
Section 6: Staying Safe from Online Traps
Sometimes, people on the internet try to trick you. These are called cyber traps. Knowing about them helps you stay away from them.
Don't worry if this seems tricky. The most important thing is to always tell an adult if anything online makes you feel uncomfortable.
Common Cyber Traps to Avoid
- Weird messages or pictures: If you see anything that looks strange, rude, or is for grown-ups (like internet pornography), click away immediately and tell an adult.
- Online shopping traps: Some websites offer things that seem too good to be true (like a free gaming console!). These are often tricks to get your personal information.
- Strangers asking for photos or to chat privately ("naked chat"): Never, ever agree to this. It is very dangerous. Tell an adult you trust right away.
The "Online Friend" Rule
It's fun to play games with people online, but remember: you don't really know who they are. Someone who says they are a 10-year-old kid could be anyone.
- Be very careful what you share with online friends.
- NEVER agree to meet an online friend in person by yourself. This is not safe.
Key Takeaway for Section 6
If anything or anyone online makes you feel confused, scared, or uncomfortable, it is not your fault. The bravest thing you can do is tell a parent or teacher immediately. They are there to help you stay safe.
Section 7: Our Country and the Internet
Being safe online doesn't just protect you—it helps protect our community and our country, too!
Protecting Important Information
Just like you have private information, our country has important information and data that needs to be kept safe. This is part of national security.
- Things like online shopping and banking need to be safe from hackers. This is called cyber security.
- When we all practise good online habits, like using strong passwords and not clicking on strange links, we help keep everyone's information safe.
Key Takeaway for Section 7
By being a smart and safe internet user, you are also being a good citizen! Protecting information online helps keep you, your family, and our country safe.