Spot the scam game: a 25-minute online safety activity, grades 6–8

1. Ask: "Has anyone gotten a message that felt off?" Hear a few stories.
2. Teach four red flags and write them on the board: pressure to act right now; a prize or deal that seems too good; an unusual way to pay, like gift cards or cryptocurrency; and a request for a password, code or personal information.
3. Read a message. Students think for five seconds, then move to a sign.
4. Each group names the red flag or why it looks safe. Then give the safe move.
5. Play six rounds. Mix in safe ones so not everything is a scam.
6. Finish with a three-step plan: stop (don't click, reply or pay), check (go to the real website or app yourself, or ask a trusted adult), then report and block.

Messages to start with:

1. "You won a free game console! Pay $5 shipping in the next 10 minutes." (Scam: prize, pressure, money.)
2. "This is your bank. Your account is locked. Reply with your PIN." (Scam: banks don't ask for a PIN by text.)
3. Your teacher posts a field trip reminder in the class app you already use. (Safe.)
4. "Your grandson is in trouble. Buy gift cards and send the numbers. Don't tell anyone." (Scam: gift cards and secrecy.)
5. You get a code you didn't ask for, then a message: "Oops, I sent you my code. Can you send it back?" (Scam: never share a code.)
6. A friend texts from their usual number asking if you're coming to practice. (Safe. If a friend suddenly asks for money or a code, call them to check.)

Worth teaching: the Federal Trade Commission says anyone who demands payment by gift card is a scammer.

Differentiation: for students who need more support, use four messages and two red flags. For advanced students, have them find the red flags in a message they made up for a partner. For English learners, pre-teach urgent, prize, password and verify. For students who need to stay seated, use thumbs down, up or sideways.

Quick check: each student writes one new message and labels its red flag. Use the best ones as tomorrow's warm-up.

If you try it, share a message your students wrote that fooled the whole class.