Stay Smart, Stay Safe Online

Master the skills you need to protect your privacy, spot fake news, and use tech in healthy ways

🔍

Spotting Misinformation

Learn to separate facts from fiction

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Digital Safety & Privacy

Protect your personal information

⚙️

Privacy Tools

Take control of what you share

⚖️

Healthy Tech Habits

Build a balanced relationship with technology

🔍 Spotting Misinformation

Not everything you see online is true. Learning to spot misinformation helps you make better decisions and avoid spreading false information to others.

Red Flags to Watch For:

  • Emotional headlines designed to make you angry or scared
  • No author name or source listed
  • Lots of spelling or grammar errors
  • Claims that seem too extreme to be true
  • No other credible sources reporting the same thing

💡 The STOP Method

  • Stop: Don't share immediately
  • Trace: Check the original source
  • Open: Search for other coverage
  • Pause: Ask yourself if it's designed to manipulate your emotions

Your Fact-Checking Toolkit:

  • Snopes.com - Checks viral claims and rumors
  • FactCheck.org - Verifies political claims
  • Reverse Image Search - Check if images are real or edited
  • Check Multiple Sources - Look for the same story on at least 3 credible news sites

🔒 Digital Safety & Privacy

Your digital footprint—everything you post, like, comment, or sign up for—spreads further than you might think. Here's how to protect yourself.

Strong Password Basics:

⚠️ Never Use These:

  • Your name, birthday, or address
  • Common words like "password" or "123456"
  • The same password for multiple accounts

💡 Create Strong Passwords:

  • Use at least 12 characters
  • Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  • Try a passphrase: "MyDog!LovesTreats@Park"
  • Consider using a password manager

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

Think of 2FA as having two locks on your door. Even if someone gets your password, they still can't get in without the second key (usually a code sent to your phone).

  1. Go to your account security settings
  2. Find "Two-Factor Authentication" or "2FA"
  3. Choose your method (text message or authenticator app)
  4. Follow the setup instructions
  5. Save backup codes in a safe place

Social Media Privacy Checklist:

  • Review privacy settings on all platforms
  • Make your accounts private (especially Instagram, TikTok)
  • Control who can see your posts and stories
  • Limit location sharing
  • Review and remove old posts that share too much
  • Be careful about accepting friend/follow requests from strangers

⚙️ Privacy Tools & Settings

Taking control of your online privacy doesn't have to be complicated. Here are practical tools and steps you can take right now.

Social Media Privacy Settings:

Instagram:

  1. Go to Settings → Privacy
  2. Set account to Private
  3. Turn off "Allow Sharing" for posts
  4. Limit who can see your story
  5. Turn off location services

TikTok:

  1. Go to Settings → Privacy
  2. Set account to Private
  3. Turn off "Suggest your account to others"
  4. Disable location services
  5. Review who can comment and duet

Browser Privacy:

💡 Private Browsing Mode

  • Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Cmd+Shift+N on Mac)
  • Safari: Press Cmd+Shift+N
  • Firefox: Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)

Note: This doesn't make you invisible, but it doesn't save your browsing history locally.

Helpful Browser Extensions:

  • uBlock Origin - Blocks ads and trackers
  • Privacy Badger - Stops invisible trackers
  • HTTPS Everywhere - Forces secure connections

Password Managers:

  • Bitwarden - Free and open source
  • 1Password - User-friendly, paid
  • LastPass - Free version available

💡 Why Use a Password Manager?

You only need to remember ONE strong password, and it remembers all the others for you. It can also generate super strong random passwords for each site.

⚖️ Healthy Tech Habits

Technology is designed to keep you engaged—sometimes too engaged. Building healthy habits helps you stay in control.

Recognize the Signs:

  • Constant checking - Reaching for your phone every few minutes
  • FOMO - Fear of missing out when you're not online
  • Comparing yourself - Feeling bad after scrolling social media
  • Sleep issues - Using devices right before bed
  • Ignoring real life - Choosing screen time over face-to-face interactions

Build Better Balance:

💡 Try These Strategies:

  • Set boundaries: No phones 1 hour before bed
  • Turn off notifications: Keep only the essential ones
  • Schedule screen-free time: During meals, hangouts with friends
  • Use screen time tools: Set daily limits on apps
  • Curate your feed: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad
  • Take breaks: Delete apps temporarily if needed

Using Built-in Screen Time Tools:

iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings → Screen Time
  2. Turn on Screen Time
  3. Set "Downtime" (times when only certain apps work)
  4. Set "App Limits" for specific apps or categories
  5. Review your weekly report

Android:

  1. Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing
  2. View your dashboard
  3. Set app timers
  4. Enable "Focus mode" to pause distracting apps
  5. Set "Bedtime mode" for better sleep

Things to Do Instead:

  • Read a book or magazine
  • Go for a walk or exercise
  • Call or meet a friend in person
  • Try a creative hobby (art, music, cooking)
  • Play board games or cards
  • Spend time outdoors

⚠️ When to Get Help

If your tech use is seriously affecting your sleep, relationships, school, or mental health, talk to someone you trust—a parent, counselor, or doctor. There's no shame in asking for help.