Title

Online Safety: Phishing & Fake Messages

Description

A complete KS3–KS4 online safety lesson on phishing, fake messages, suspicious links and scams, with PowerPoint, worksheets and full answers.

Help students develop practical digital-safety skills using realistic, age-appropriate scenarios and the simple Stop → Verify → Then Act strategy.

This ready-to-teach 60-minute lesson helps students recognise common warning signs in suspicious emails, texts, links, QR codes and online messages, and teaches them how to verify information independently before taking action.

Students will learn to:

• identify phishing and fake-message warning signs
• recognise suspicious links and look-alike websites
• understand how urgency and pressure are used in scams
• assess QR codes and unexpected online requests
• protect passwords, payment details and personal information
• use independent verification before clicking, replying or sharing information
• apply the Stop → Verify → Then Act strategy to realistic situations

Included in this resource:

• 18-slide editable PowerPoint presentation
• complete teacher guide and lesson plan
• printable student workbook
• full teacher answer key
• realistic scam scenarios and discussion activities
• differentiation and extension ideas
• safeguarding notes and teaching guidance
• printable PDF versions

Suitable for:
KS3–KS4 / Years 7–11 / ages 11–16
PSHE, Computing, Citizenship, Digital Literacy, online safety, form time and enrichment.

No specialist cybersecurity knowledge is required. The lesson is designed to be practical, engaging and ready to teach with minimal preparation.

Scam-Proof Life Skills Series by ProfitKitWorks