STEM Community exclusive by Marion Reilly for BBC Teach
In February, thousands of schools marked Safer Internet Day to help children and young people to navigate the digital world safely. The theme this year was ‘Too good to be true’ and encouraged children to protect themselves from scams online.
A Censuswide survey of primary teachers, commissioned by BBC Teach, suggests primary aged children may well be exposed to online scams. A third (33%) of primary teachers said at least one child in their class had reported being a victim of an online scam and a similar number (35%) felt that the number of children being scammed each year was increasing.
It is clear online scams are a year-round issue - not just for Safer Internet Day. Having an annual focus is an excellent starting point but revisiting the topic regularly each term helps children to retain and apply what they’ve learnt on the day. Exploring the issue in a range of online settings can build their confidence in spotting scams and phishing attempts and reminds them that online safety isn’t just a ‘once a year' issue.
Weaving online scam awareness into a range of curriculum topics
There are lots of ways to integrate online scam awareness into primary curriculum subjects. Here are some suggestions:
· Drama and role playing can be useful tools to allow children to act out possible scam scenarios and practice how to respond appropriately.
· Explore how scammers often use poor grammar and spelling and incorporate this into English spelling and grammar lessons.
· Word puzzles and quizzes are good ways to reinforce specific terminology and vocabulary related to scams.
· Discuss image manipulation in Art and Design lessons and explore some of the ways scammers alter photos to create misleading advertisements or fake identities.
· Build in a regular 10-minute Online Safety discussion slot into PHSE, Citizenship or Computing lessons.
Setting a practical, positive tone
It is important that educators empower children with practical strategies which help them to take control to ‘beat the scammers’. Keeping up to date with the scams children might experience helps make examples relevant and relatable although it’s a good idea to avoid children sharing personal anecdotes which might be inappropriate. It’s important to be clear that anyone can be a victim of a scam - it’s not their fault. Finally, remember to remind children that they should report any issues to a trusted adult
Supporting families throughout the year
Recent research from the UK Safer Internet Centre suggests that almost three-quarters of young people say they would turn to a parent or carer if they were worried about an online scam. However, the same research found that many parents and carers (63%) worry about being a victim of online scams themselves.
Schools can play an important role in helping families to keep up to date. A good place to start is to ensure there is relevant information on the online safety/parent section of the school website. Alert parents to specific scams when they arise and include details in the school newsletter too. Running workshops for parents and carers with practical advice about spotting and avoiding scams can help to build awareness, confidence and skills. Another option is to provide activities where children can share what they’ve learnt about online scams with parents and family members – this can be done in school or as homework.
Teachers also need support, and the Censuswide survey commissioned by BBC Teach highlighted that almost half (47%) of primary teachers want better resources for teaching children about online scams. The Live Lesson, which was broadcast by BBC Teach on Safer Internet Day, is full of practical advice for KS2 children about how to spot and avoid online scams. It is available to stream on BBC Teach and BBC iPlayer. It makes a great starting point for discussion and learning. BBC Teach has also collated more than 100 resources about online scams and other aspects of online safety to continue the conversation with children about online scams.
Teaching children about online scams should be an ongoing process, not just an annual event. By integrating scam awareness into various subjects, staying informed about new threats, and involving families, we can create a safer online environment for children. Let’s ensure that online safety remains a priority all year round.
To watch the BBC Teach Safer Internet Day 2025 Live Lesson or to access its collection of online safety resources, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/teach
By Marion Reilly for BBC Teach
