STOP–THINK–CHOOSE: A Social Media Safety Guide for Little Learners

In today’s digital world, even our youngest learners are absorbing messages from screens—videos, games, and online stories that shape how they think, feel, and behave. That’s why teaching ethics around social media isn’t just for teens—it starts in

kindergarten.

This homeschool-friendly lesson plan, designed for K–1st grade, helps children recognize the difference between good and bad influences online. Through playful activities, storytime, and creative posters, kids learn how to spot kindness, avoid violence, and make safe, thoughtful choices when they engage with digital content.

With three interactive lessons and easy-to-use materials, parents can guide their children through the basics of online ethics—building a foundation for empathy, safety, and smart decision-making. Because even in the virtual world, character counts. This lesson plan is part of a larger collection of engaging, age-appropriate ethics activities available on our Curricula page. Just like this one, many of our free downloadable PDFs offer simple materials, clear guidance for parents, and thoughtful ways to help children build character in a digital world. Whether you're teaching about kindness, safety, honesty, or online choices, you'll find dozens of lessons designed to spark meaningful conversations and support ethical growth from the very start.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES

HOMESCHOOL

Grade Level: Elementary Grades

Three Lessons

Objective: To help children recognize good and bad influences of social media, avoid violent influences, and learn how to make safe and kind choices.

Materials Needed:

·      Chart paper or poster board

·      Crayons, markers

·      Printouts of simple “good influence” and “bad influence” pictures (sharing vs. being mean, helping vs. fighting)

·      A storybook or short video clip (age-appropriate) about kindness or safety online (see Resource Section)

·      Scenario cards for Lesson Three

Lesson One (30 minutes) – Good vs. Bad Influences

Opening (5 minutes)

Parent:

Today, we’re learning about social media. That’s things like videos, games, and messages people share on phones or computers. Some things are good influences — they make us happy, help us learn, or show kindness. Other things are bad influences — they can be mean, violent, or make us feel upset.

Why is it important to know the difference?

Children answer

Possible answers:

·      So I don’t copy bad behavior.

·      So I can learn good things.

·      So I can stay safe.

Praise all answers.

Discussion & Activity (20 minutes)Game: Good or Bad Influence?

Show examples (real or drawn). Children decide if they are good or bad influences.

·      Kids sharing toys → Good influence.

·      A video of children fighting → Bad influence (and violent).

·      A song that makes you smile → Good influence.

·      Someone yelling mean words → Bad influence.

Activity: Create a “Good vs. Bad” chart. Children draw or paste images. Highlight that anything violent is always a bad influence.

Closing (5 minutes)Parent:

Today we learned that social media can show us both good and bad things. Good things help us grow. Bad and violent things can hurt us inside and make us think unkind thoughts.

Can you think of one good influence you’ve seen online or on TV?

Children answer

Parent:

For next time, notice what you see — was it good, bad, or violent? We’ll talk about it.

Lesson Two (30 minutes) – Learning from Good Influences

Materials: Chart from Lesson One, storybook/video

Opening (5 minutes)

Parent:

Who remembers an example of a good influence? What about a bad or violent one?

Record answers on chart paper.

Story Time & Discussion (10 minutes)Read a short story (e.g., Chicken Clicking or Smartie the Penguin) or show a short video clip about kindness online. Pause to ask:

·      What did the character do?

·      Was that a good or bad influence?

·      Did anyone act violently? If yes, how did it make others feel?

Activity (10 minutes)

Parent:

Let’s make a Good Choices Poster. On one side, draw or write things that are good influences (kind words, learning, sharing fun). On the other side, draw a big STOP sign for bad and violent influences — to remind us not to copy them.

Encourage decorating with happy faces, hearts, and positive images.

Closing (5 minutes)

Parent:

The internet is like a playground. We choose who we play with and what games we play. Always pick the good, kind influences — and stay away from anything violent or mean.

Can you think of one good choice you can make online or on TV this week?

Children answer.

Lesson Three (30 minutes) – What To Do With Bad and Violent Influences

Materials: Scenario cards

Opening (5 minutes)

Parent:

We’ve learned about good, bad, and violent influences online. What should you do if you see something bad or violent?

Children answer. Guide toward: Tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult.

Discussion & Activity (20 minutes)Introduce Scenarios and ask what they would do:

·      Scenario 1: You see a cartoon where characters fight and hurt each other. Should you copy it? What should you do?

·      Scenario 2: A stranger online asks you to watch a scary video. What should you do?

·      Scenario 3: You see a video where kids are kind and help each other. Is this a good influence?

Encourage children to explain their choices: good or bad, violent or safe, what action they should take.

Activity: Create a STOP–THINK–CHOOSE poster:

·      STOP when you see something bad or violent. Should you intervene?

·      THINK about how it makes you feel.

·      CHOOSE to tell a grown-up and not copy it.

Closing (5 minutes)

Parent:

You’ve learned how to tell the difference between good, bad, and violent influences. Remember:

·      Follow good influences.

·      Avoid bad and violent ones.

·      Always tell a grown-up if something feels wrong.

Parent:

You did amazing in all three lessons!

Parent Guide: Reinforcing at Home

1.    Model behavior: Children learn most from watching you “Learn what they live”. Choose positive, non-violent media when they are nearby.

2.    Co-view: Watch videos together. Pause to ask, “Was that kind or mean? Was that violent or safe?”

3.    Set limits: Create clear rules about what children may and may not watch.

4.    Use “STOP–THINK–CHOOSE”: Repeat the steps whenever your child sees something questionable.

5.    Praise good choices: When your child recognizes a bad or violent influence and tells you, celebrate their wisdom.

Suggested Resources

Books:

·      Chicken Clicking by Jeanne Willis

·      Webster’s Email by Hannah Whaley

·      Once Upon a Time Online by David Bedford

·      Children Learn What They live by Dorothy Law Nolte

Videos:

·      “Childnet: Smartie the Penguin” (free online safety story)

·      “Be Kind Online” clips (YouTube, K–2 age)

Games/Activities:

·      Sorting cards: good vs. bad/violent online choices

·      Drawing posters: “Good Online Choices”

·      STOP–THINK–CHOOSE roleplay

Printable Activity Sheets

1. Good vs. Bad Influence Chart

·      Two-column chart labeled “GOOD INFLUENCES” and “BAD/VIOLENT INFLUENCES.”

·      Space under each for children to draw pictures or paste cutouts (like toys being shared vs. kids fighting).

·      Example starter icons: 😊 (good) / 🚫 (bad).

2. STOP–THINK–CHOOSE Poster

·      Big stop sign at the top.

·      Three simple steps with icons:

1.    STOP 🛑 → When you see something bad or violent.

2.    THINK 💭 → How does this make me feel?

3.    CHOOSE ⭐ → Tell a grown-up, don’t copy it.

·      Space for kids to color the icons.

3. Scenario Cards (Cut-Outs)

Small cards with short stories for parents to read aloud. Kids hold up a happy face card 😊 if it’s good or a sad face card 😟 if it’s bad/violent.

Examples:

·      “You see a video where kids are helping clean up a park.” → Good.

·      “A stranger online tells you to click a link.” → Bad.

·      “A cartoon shows kids hitting each other.” → Bad/violent.

·      “A song teaches you to count numbers.” → Good.

4. Coloring Sheet – Safe Online Choices

·      Line art showing two scenes:

·      Left: Kids helping, learning, smiling online.

·      Right: A red X over a screen showing fighting/violence.

·      Children color the “good side.”

5. Certificate of Completion

At the end of Lesson 3, children get a “Safe & Kind Online Explorer” certificate with space for their name and date.