Common Sense Media: Navigating Online Friendships
Nearly half of today’s preteens have reported friendships with people they’ve only met online—digital relationships have become a normal part of growing up. This lesson explores the delicate balance between enjoying these meaningful online connections and maintaining safety and personal boundaries. Help students develop practical strategies to recognize pressure tactics, respond confidently to inappropriate requests, and cultivate safe, positive relationships in their increasingly digital social lives.
Objectives
- Identify warning signs (“red flags”) in online conversations
- Understand why it’s important to avoid sharing personally identifiable information (PII) when talking online
- Practice setting healthy boundaries with online friends
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Nearly half of today’s preteens have reported friendships with people they’ve only met online—digital relationships have become a normal part of growing up. This lesson explores the delicate balance between enjoying these meaningful online connections and maintaining safety and personal boundaries. Help students develop practical strategies to recognize pressure tactics, respond confidently to inappropriate requests, and cultivate safe, positive relationships in their increasingly digital social lives.
Objectives
- Identify warning signs (“red flags”) in online conversations
- Understand why it’s important to avoid sharing personally identifiable information (PII) when talking online
- Practice setting healthy boundaries with online friends