Teaching Internet Safety to SEN Learners 🔒
Internet safety is a critical skill for every learner, but for those with special educational needs (SEN), it requires a tailored approach. Understanding complex topics such as stranger danger, phishing, and cyberbullying can often feel overwhelming for SEN learners. Yet, with the right strategies, tools, and guidance, these vital lessons can be made both accessible and engaging.
Internet Safety Day
With Internet Safety Day being held on the 11th February, we’re here to help - with practical tips that help SEN learners build the confidence and skills to stay safe online. From simplifying concepts to encouraging role play, these strategies can help you to make Internet safety education meaningful for your learners. Engaging resources from HelpKidzLearn like Cyber Liars from Inclusive Stories will complement these efforts - packed with resources that bring online safety lessons to life.
How to support SEN learners with Internet safety.
Simplify complex concepts
Online risks like phishing, grooming, and digital manipulation can seem abstract, especially for learners with cognitive challenges. Use simple language, relatable examples, and visual aids to make these topics easier to understand. For example, explain phishing as someone pretending to be someone else to get your personal information.
Use visuals and stories
Visual aids and storytelling are powerful tools for SEN learners. Stories like Cyber Liars introduce key online safety concepts in a relatable, engaging way, while visual aids like charts or diagrams help learners process information more effectively.
Encourage role play
Create role-playing scenarios where learners practice responding to unsafe situations, such as receiving a suspicious message. Acting out these situations helps learners build confidence and rehearse practical skills.
Provide repetition and structure
Repetition is key to reinforcing learning for SEN students. Use structured activities, like quizzes or games, that repeat key messages and allow learners to predict outcomes. Stories with repetitive structures, such as Cyber Liars, are particularly effective.
Focus on practical strategies
Equip learners with actionable strategies, such as:
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Recognising suspicious online behaviour
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Knowing what information to keep private
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Identifying trusted adults to ask for help
Create safe spaces for discussion
Learners with SEN may find it hard to talk about their online experiences. Try open discussions where they feel safe sharing concerns, and use resources like Cyber Liars to spark conversations about tricky topics like grooming and cyberbullying.
How Cyber Liars can help teach Internet safety.
Cyber Liars is an Inclusive Story designed to bring online safety to life for SEN learners. Its engaging narrative, creative resources, and adaptable teaching tools make it an invaluable resource for educators, therapists, and parents.
The story of Cyber Liars.
Meet two mischievous teens who unwittingly dive into the risky online world of the Cyber Liars. From meeting strangers to falling victim to scams, their adventures highlight the very real dangers of the internet in a relatable and engaging way. The repetitive and rhyming narrative structure not only reinforces key learning points but also allows learners to predict outcomes and stay engaged throughout. Whether your focus is on stranger danger, digital manipulation, or cyberbullying, Cyber Liars offers a powerful way to start meaningful conversations about staying safe online.
What comes with Cyber Liars?
With each story, you get a collection of resources to go with the story. This includes an 86 page activity booklet packed with creative tasks, including: • A Cyber Liars board game • Matching cards to test understanding • Designing fake vs. real profiles • Crafting glove puppets and masks • Colouring activities to bring the story to life
Interactive ChooseIt Maker activities.
Gain access to four interactive activities for ChooseIt Maker and let your learners test their knowledge. Activities include: • Spot the liar • True or false quizzes • Who’s who: Guess the Cyber Liar
Assessment tools.
Customisable recording sheets support learners of all abilities, from engagement tracking to communication strategies using speech, symbols, or gestures.
Cross-curricular lesson ideas and more.
A 29-page guide filled with fun and practical activities for lessons or home learning, helping you extend the learning beyond the story. You’ll also gain access to: • AAC Symbols: Support augmentative communication with curated symbols. • Story Script and Tips: Sensory prop suggestions and storytelling strategies. • Graphics: Create custom activities and displays with included story graphics.
Why Cyber Liars stands out.
Cyber Liars goes beyond storytelling by providing a comprehensive set of resources to support SEN learners. Its adaptable narrative, engaging characters, and hands-on activities ensure learners of all abilities can connect with the material. Whether your focus is on basic communication skills or exploring more complex online risks, Cyber Liars is designed to meet learners where they are.
Get Started with Cyber Liars from Inclusive Stories.
Sign up for a 14-day free trial of Inclusive Stories to unlock Cyber Liars and its full range of resources. You’ll also gain access to the entire Inclusive Stories collection, thoughtfully curated into 12 categories designed to support functional skills and cross-curricular personal development. From SMSC (spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development) to SEMH (social, emotional, and mental health), Inclusive Stories cover key topics across literacy, numeracy, science, computing, the arts, humanities, PHSCE, physical education, and much more. Start your free trial today and discover a world of meaningful stories for your learners!
