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Lesson

Chatting and Red Flags (Adapted for Youth with IDD)

How can you tell when an online relationship is risky?

Grades

9–12

Time

130 mins.

Getting to know someone online, without being able to see them and their expressions and body language, can be awkward and sometimes even risky. The problems can range from simple misunderstandings to manipulation or inappropriate messages. Help students navigate and avoid these situations before they go too far.

Common Sense Education worked in collaboration with Mathematica and the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adapt this lesson to meet the unique learning needs of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This adaptation was funded under contract HHSP233201500035I/HHSP23337008T with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau.

Objectives:
  • Learn what a red flag feeling is.

  • Identify the types of messages that might cause a red flag feeling for someone.

  • Use the Feelings & Options thinking routine to analyze and respond to a situation involving a red flag feeling.

Vocabulary Show definitions
risk · red flag feeling · grooming (online)

risk –
red flag feeling – when something happens that makes you feel uncomfortable, worried, sad, or anxious
grooming (online) – when someone older uses chatting or messaging to befriend and manipulate a child or teenager into an in-person meeting for the purpose of sexual abuse or sex trafficking
Lesson slides
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Topics 1

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Key Standards Supported

Lesson Plan

130 mins.

Pre-Teach and Comprehension Check (Optional)

20 mins.

Consider: Risky Online Relationships

30 mins.

Reflect: Texting Situations

30 mins.

Explore: Sheyna's situation

30 mins.

Wrap-up: Lesson Review

20 mins.
Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated:

What You'll Need

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Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated:

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