Grade 10 – 12
Cyber Smart
The world is connected like never before, and understanding how to navigate it safely and confidently is an essential skill for life and career success. The Cyber Smart Certificate Program is designed to empower high school students with the knowledge they need to protect their digital lives, explore exciting technology careers, and build a strong foundation for their future.
Through these three interactive modules, you’ll develop practical cybersecurity skills, learn how to safeguard your online identity, and discover career opportunities in cybersecurity and tech. You’ll leave with a solid plan for staying safe, adaptable, and ready for whatever the digital world throws your way.
Course Outline
Welcome!
We’re excited to have you join the Cyber Smart Certificate Program—a course built to help you stay safe, confident, and successful in today’s digital world.
Why Take This Program?
For Teens:
- Build Skills for the Real World: Learn how to manage your online presence, avoid risks, and protect your personal information.
- Explore Your Future: Discover careers in tech and cybersecurity and learn how to start building your path now.
- Stand Out: Completing the program earns you a certificate to showcase your knowledge and skills—perfect for resumes, job applications, and school projects.
For Parents:
- Peace of Mind: Know that your teen is gaining essential digital literacy and cybersecurity skills to navigate the online world safely.
- Future-Focused: Help your teen explore growing fields like cybersecurity and tech, while developing a practical career plan.
- Practical Life Skills: The program covers crucial topics like personal safety, digital responsibility, and preparing for future technology trends.
What’s This Course About?
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
- Protect your personal information and accounts
- Spot online scams, threats, and risky situations
- Make smart choices about what to share online
- Build a strong digital reputation for school, work, and your future
Each module includes a short video, interactive games, and quick tips you can use right away. When you complete all three modules, you’ll earn your official Cyber Smart Certificate!
Lesson 1: Taking Control of Your Digital Safety
Welcome to the first step of your Cyber Smart journey!
This module focuses on how to manage your personal information, recognize online threats, and take control of your digital life.
🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Module:
- How to protect personal info and create strong passwords
- How to adjust your privacy settings on apps and devices
- How to spot fake messages, scams, and deepfakes
- How to build a digital identity you’re proud of
After watching the video, we will explore more ways to stay safe online.
Cyber Activities
Ready to level up your digital skills? As a Cyber Smart, you’ll take on real-world challenges, learn how to stay safe online, and navigate your digital life with confidence. Let’s get started.
Would You Post It? (sorting private vs public info)
Build Your Safety Plan (quiz on spotting threats)
Would You Post it?
Think before you share!
In this activity, you’ll see different examples of things people might post online—from photos and stories to polls and group chats.
Your task:
Decide if each item is:
- Safe to Post (okay for public or friends to see), or
- Better Kept Private (too personal or risky to share)
How to play:
- Read each situation carefully.
- Drag and drop it into the box you think is correct.
- After you sort all the items, check your answers to see how you did!
Remember:
If you wouldn’t want it shared with the whole school (or the whole world), it’s probably better to keep it private.
Build Your Safety Plan
Ready to put your digital safety skills into action?
In this activity, you’ll build your own digital safety plan by choosing the best responses to real-life online situations.
Read each scenario and select the answer that will help you stay secure, protect your info, and respond to digital risks.
Remember: These are practical steps you can actually use in your online life!
Click the right arrow ( > ) to continue the quiz before going to the next page in the lesson.
When you finish, you’ll see how well you’re prepared—and pick up tips for even better digital safety.
Classroom Activities
Getting Started: Why These Activities Matter
Taking control of your digital safety means more than just watching a video—it’s about practicing real skills that protect you and your friends online. These activities will help you:
Objective: Practice how to respond to online threats.
Instructions
Scenario Cards
Objective: Explore and adjust privacy settings on social media.
Instructions
Checklist
Objective: Spot misinformation and scams online.
Instructions
Examples
Recap
Nice work! You’ve completed Module 1: Taking Control of Your Digital Safety.
Here’s a quick recap of what you learned:
- How to protect your personal information and keep your accounts secure
- How to manage your privacy settings and control what’s shared online
- How to spot sketchy messages, scams, and red flags
- How to build a strong, positive digital identity
Digital safety isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about protecting your friends, your future, and your freedom online.
Mini Quiz 1: Digital Safety Basics
Test what you’ve learned about protecting your digital identity and staying secure online. This quiz covers strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and creating a personal safety plan.
Mini Quiz #1
📦 Up next: In Module 2, you’ll learn how cybersecurity works behind the scenes—how to protect your devices, stop hackers, and keep your digital world secure.
Lesson 2: Cybersecurity Foundations – Building Digital Resilience
Cybersecurity isn’t just for IT experts—it’s for everyone who goes online. In this module, you’ll learn practical strategies to protect your devices, data, and accounts from real-world threats like hackers, malware, and phishing scams. We’ll show you how to build strong digital habits and stay alert as technology keeps changing.
🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Module:
- How to spot and avoid common cyber threats (like phishing and malware)
- The best ways to secure your phone, laptop, and home network
- How to protect your privacy and sensitive information—even with new tech
- How to help others stay safe and spread good cybersecurity habits
After watching the video, we will explore more ways to stay safe online.
Cyber Activities
Ready to level up your digital skills? As a Cyber Smart, you’ll take on real-world challenges, learn how to stay safe online, and navigate your digital life with confidence. Let’s get started.
Spot the Scam
Think you can spot a cyber scam before it gets you? Put your skills to the test!
In this interactive quiz, you’ll face real-life scenarios based on common online scams, fake messages, and suspicious requests. For each situation, choose what you would do to stay safe. After each answer, you’ll get instant feedback to help sharpen your cyber instincts.
Secure or Sketchy?
Test your cyber instincts! In each round, you’ll see a scenario about online behavior—like clicking a link, downloading an app, or sharing info. Decide: Is this move Secure or Sketchy?
Classroom Activities
Getting Started: Why These Activities Matter
Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech experts—it’s for everyone. Whether you’re chatting with friends, gaming, studying, or posting online, your digital safety matters.
These hands-on activities will help you:
Work together, think like a cybersecurity pro, and get ready to build digital resilience that lasts. You’ve got this!
Objective: Practice how to respond to online threats.
Instructions
Resource
Objective: Spot the tricks scammers use in fake emails, texts, and messages.
Instructions
Resource Pack
Objective: Spread the word—help others stay safe online.
Instructions
PSA Planning Template
Recap
Awesome job! You’ve completed Module 2: Cybersecurity Foundations – Building Digital Resilience.
Here’s a quick recap of what you learned:
- How to spot and avoid common cyber threats like phishing, malware, and scams
- The best ways to secure your devices, passwords, and home Wi-Fi
- How to manage your privacy and keep your personal data safe—even with new technology
- Why it’s important to stay alert, help others, and build good security habits for life
Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting your stuff—it’s about keeping your whole digital world safe and looking out for your friends and family, too.
📦 Up next: In Module 2, you’ll learn how cybersecurity works behind the scenes—how to protect your devices, stop hackers, and keep your digital world secure.
Mini Quiz 2: Protect Your Information
Test what you’ve learned about protecting your digital identity and staying secure online. This quiz covers strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and creating a personal safety plan.
Mini Quiz #2
📦 Up next: In Module 3, you’ll explore careers in tech, learn how to build a standout digital resume, and discover how your cyber skills can open new doors for your future.
Lesson 3: Building Your Future in Technology
Welcome to the final step of your Cyber Smart journey!
This module is all about exploring the world of tech careers—what jobs are out there, which skills employers are looking for, and how you can create your own path in technology.
🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Module:
- Which careers are available in cybersecurity, IT, AI, and digital media
- How to build a professional online presence and portfolio
- What skills and certifications can help you stand out
- How to avoid job scams and manage your digital identity
After watching the video, we will explore more ways to stay safe online.
Cyber Activities
Ready to level up your digital skills? As a Cyber Smart, you’ll take on real-world challenges, learn how to stay safe online, and navigate your digital life with confidence. Let’s get started.
Build Your Digital Portfolio Challenge (portfolio sorting game)
Build Your Digital Portfolio Challenge
Think you know what belongs in a professional portfolio?
In this drag-and-drop game, you’ll see different items in the top right corner. Your task is to drag each item into one of two places:
- Digital Portfolio Layout — Items that should be included in a polished, professional portfolio
- Trash — Items that don’t belong or could hurt your chances
🔍 Click the ⤢ arrow to expand any item to fullscreen and get a closer look!
Be sure to drag all the items to complete the activity successfully. Some choices are tricky, so read carefully before you drag!
Can you build a digital portfolio that would impress an employer?
Start the challenge and find out!
Classroom Activities
Getting Started: Why These Activities Matter
Building a future in technology isn’t just about learning skills—it’s about shaping your path and preparing for a fast-changing world. Whether you dream of working in cybersecurity, AI, IT, or digital media, understanding the landscape and how to navigate it safely is key.
These hands-on activities will help you:
Get ready to discover your potential and create a clear, confident plan for success in technology. This is your chance to step into the future with knowledge, security, and purpose. You’ve got this!
Objective: Discover different tech career paths and understand the skills needed for each.
Instructions
Resource
Objective: Practice managing a professional online presence.
Instructions
Materials
Objective: Develop skepticism and critical thinking to identify job scams and misleading career advice.
Instructions
Materials
Recap
🎉 Congratulations! You’ve Completed Module 3: Building Your Future in Technology
Here’s a quick recap of what you learned:
- How to protect your personal information and keep your accounts secure
- How to manage your privacy settings and control what’s shared online
- How to spot sketchy messages, scams, and red flags
- How to build a strong, positive digital identity
The future of technology is full of opportunities—whether you want to code, design, solve problems, or help others use technology. Your digital skills and cyber smarts can open doors anywhere you go.
Mini Quiz 3: Building Your Future in Tech
Test what you’ve learned about protecting your digital identity and staying secure online. This quiz covers strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and creating a personal safety plan.
Mini Quiz #3
📦 Up next: You’re now ready to start building your own path in technology. Keep learning, stay curious, and remember: your journey is just beginning.
Wrap-Up
You’ve completed the CyberSmart course—well done. You’ve taken the time to build skills that will protect you, help you think clearly online, and prepare you for future opportunities. Before you take the quiz, let’s review what you’ve learned and think about how to carry these habits forward.
🔐 Module 1: Online Safety & Privacy
Be Secure
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Keep your software and devices up to date
- Lock your devices when you step away
Be Private
- Set your social accounts to private
- Share personal info only with people you trust
- Use secure apps when talking about sensitive topics
👉 These habits may seem small, but they add up to strong digital protection. The earlier you build them, the safer and more confident you’ll be online.
🧠 Module 2: Misinformation & Manipulation
Be Skeptical
- Ask yourself, “Who made this? What do they want me to think or do?”
- Watch out for clickbait, bias, and emotional manipulation
- Always double-check information—especially before sharing
- Be careful with links, photos, and videos—they’re easy to fake
👉 In a world where information moves fast, your ability to slow down and think critically is one of your most powerful tools.
🚀 Module 3: Your Future in Tech
Be Positive and Curious
- Technology is everywhere—and it needs people like you
- From design and coding to communication and research, there’s a role for every kind of thinker
- The same habits that keep you safe online will help you thrive in school, in work, and beyond
👉 Whether or not you go into a tech career, being digitally smart will give you a head start in whatever path you choose.
✍️ Take a Moment
Before moving on, ask yourself:
- What’s one thing you’ll do differently online because of this course?
- What’s one role in the tech world that you’re curious to explore more?
You can jot it down for yourself—or just take a moment to think.
🎯 Ready to Move Forward?
You’ve taken the time to build real skills. Now it’s time to show what you’ve learned.
Final Quiz
Congrats. You finished!
Cyber Smart Certificate
🎉 You Did It, Cyber Smart! 🦉
You’ve shown that you know how to be safe, kind, and smart online—way to go! 🌐💪
As a special reward, Hoot has a surprise gift just for you! 🎁
You’ve unlocked a fun checklist with pictures to help you remember everything you’ve learned. You can find it on your Cyber Explorer Map!
We’re so proud of you—great job, Cyber Explorer! 🌟.
Takeaway
Cybersafety Checklist
This checklist helps you review what you’ve learned and take away key skills from the CyberSmart Certificate Program. Use it to reflect on your progress and make sure you’re ready to stay safe, smart, and successful in your digital life and future tech career.
You’ll check off what you now know how to do—from protecting your accounts to building a digital resume—so you can confidently move forward with real-world digital skills.
English 
French 
Spanish 
Chinese 
Ukrainian