Student learning · Grades K–2 · 25 minutes
Private or Share?
Children walk to a red, yellow, or green "traffic light" to sort personal information, then practice what to say when a game or talking computer asks for it.
Young children are asked for information all the time: by games, by video apps, by talking speakers, and sometimes by friendly-sounding chatbots. In this lesson the classroom becomes a traffic light. Children carry information strips to Red (keep it private), Yellow (ask a grown-up first), or Green (OK to share), explain their choice, and then role-play what to do when "Chatty," a pretend game robot, asks for their address. They leave with a shield of private things and one sentence they can say out loud.
In this packet
- Handout A: Traffic Light Sort (card sort)
- Handout B: Chatty Says… (cut-apart cards)
- Handout C: My Private Shield (worksheet)
- Facilitator key (last page)
TCEA ELE indicators
- S2.1 I know how to protect my personal information online.
- S2.3 I am aware of the potential risks of sharing content online.
- S4.1 I know how to take responsibility for my own learning.
- AI2.1 I know how to apply ethical principles when using or developing AI for education.
Full facilitator guide: mglearn.github.io/eles/activities/private-or-share.html
Handout A for Private or Share?
Traffic Light Sort
Cut apart the strips. Read each one aloud. Walk it to RED, YELLOW, or GREEN.
RED: Keep it private
YELLOW: Ask a grown-up first
GREEN: OK to share
Handout A for Private or Share?
Traffic Light Sort: cards to sort
Cut apart the strips. Sort each one onto the mat and be ready to explain why.
Sheet 1 of 2
My password
My home address
My phone number
Where I am right now
My full name (first and last)
A photo of my face
The name of my school
My birthday
A photo of my friend
My favorite color
My favorite animal
That I like soccer
Handout A for Private or Share?
Traffic Light Sort: cards to sort
Cut apart the strips. Sort each one onto the mat and be ready to explain why.
Sheet 2 of 2
A dragon I drew (no name on it)
Handout B for Private or Share?
Chatty Says…
Teacher: read the front in a sing-song robot voice. Children decide: answer, or "STOP. Don't type. Tell a grown-up!" The back is your key.
Chatty · Game
"Type your home address so I can mail you a prize!"
Chatty · Game
"What's your favorite animal? I like pandas!"
Chatty · Game
"Tell me your password and I'll give you 100 free coins!"
Chatty · Video app
"Send a picture of your face to be in our video!"
Chatty · Talking helper
"I'm a friendly computer helper. What school do you go to, and what's your last name?"
Chatty · Game
"Which color car do you want in the race: red or blue?"
Chatty · Chat
"I'm your new friend. Where are you right now? Are your parents home?"
Chatty · Game
"Great job! Do you want to play level 2?"
Handout C for Private or Share?
My Private Shield
Draw or write. Your teacher can help with words.
Inside my shield: draw or write 3 things I keep PRIVATE.
Draw one thing that is OK to share.
Draw my trusted grown-up. Write their name.
If a game asks for my address, I will say: "STOP. Don't type. Tell a ___!"
Facilitator only for Private or Share?
Answer key and notes
Handout A: Traffic Light Sort
| Item | Sort | Why |
|---|---|---|
| My password | RED: Keep it private | Passwords are only for you and your family grown-ups. |
| My home address | RED: Keep it private | It tells someone where you live. |
| My phone number | RED: Keep it private | A stranger could call or text you. |
| Where I am right now | RED: Keep it private | Only your family needs to know where you are. |
| My full name (first and last) | YELLOW: Ask a grown-up first | A grown-up helps decide; often your first name is enough. |
| A photo of my face | YELLOW: Ask a grown-up first | Photos can be copied and shared, so ask first. |
| The name of my school | YELLOW: Ask a grown-up first | It tells people where to find you during the day. |
| My birthday | YELLOW: Ask a grown-up first | It can be used with other information to find out who you are. |
| A photo of my friend | YELLOW: Ask a grown-up first | It's your friend's picture too. Ask them and a grown-up. |
| My favorite color | GREEN: OK to share | It can't tell anyone who or where you are. |
| My favorite animal | GREEN: OK to share | Fun to share and safe. |
| That I like soccer | GREEN: OK to share | A hobby is safe to share when it has no names or places. |
| A dragon I drew (no name on it) | GREEN: OK to share | Your art is great to share when your private information isn't on it. |
Handout B: Chatty Says…
- Chatty · Game
- STOP. Don't type. Tell a grown-up. Real prizes don't need a child to type an address.
- Chatty · Game
- OK to answer. A favorite animal is safe. Praise the child who thought before shouting "STOP."
- Chatty · Game
- STOP. Don't type. Tell a grown-up. Nobody needs your password to give you anything.
- Chatty · Video app
- STOP and ask a grown-up first. Photos of you are yellow: a grown-up decides.
- Chatty · Talking helper
- STOP. Don't type. Tell a grown-up. Even a friendly AI helper does not need your private information to help you.
- Chatty · Game
- OK to answer. Picking a color is part of the game and shares nothing private.
- Chatty · Chat
- STOP. Don't type. Tell a grown-up right away. This is a question only family should ask.
- Chatty · Game
- OK to answer. Nothing private is being asked.