🕵️ Free Course – Beware Online: Scams, Threats & Traps (Ages 11–18)
About Course
This course is designed to help young people aged 11 to 18 build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills they need to stay safe in an increasingly digital world. Technology is now a major part of everyday life, offering huge opportunities for learning, creativity, entertainment, and connection. But alongside these benefits come real risks. This course helps learners recognise dangers early, make safer choices, and develop strong digital habits that protect both their safety and wellbeing.
Created primarily for young people, the course is also highly valuable for parents, teachers, youth workers, and safeguarding professionals who want to better understand the online risks facing children and teenagers today. It provides clear explanations, real world examples, and practical guidance that adults can use to support safer online behaviour at home, in schools, or in youth settings.
Across 15 comprehensive lessons, learners will explore how personal information is used online, how scammers and cybercriminals operate, and how to navigate social media safely and confidently. The course covers essential topics such as digital wellbeing, screen time, online peer pressure, healthy online relationships, and emotional resilience in an always connected world.
Students and adults taking the course will gain a strong understanding of modern digital risks, including deepfakes, AI generated misinformation, fake accounts, online scams, grooming tactics, cyberbullying, manipulative online behaviour, and digital fraud. Learners will also understand how platforms collect personal data, how privacy settings work, and how to use practical tools such as strong passwords and two factor authentication to improve online security.
A major part of the course focuses on recognising unsafe or harmful situations and knowing exactly what to do if something goes wrong. Learners are guided through practical responses to issues such as bullying, harassment, sexting pressure, blackmail, hacking, fake accounts, and online manipulation. The course also explains how to report harmful content, seek support from trusted adults, and respond calmly in high pressure situations. Sensitive topics are covered carefully and in an age appropriate way, with clear, practical actions throughout.
Throughout the course, learners are encouraged to think critically, question what they see online, and make informed decisions that protect them now and in the future. The goal is to build confidence, strengthen digital resilience, and help young people navigate the online world with awareness, caution, and confidence. Adults taking the course will gain valuable insight into how to guide, support, and protect the young people in their care.