Computer Science: Personal Health and Safety – Grade 3

When you use a tablet, computer, or phone, you might notice that sometimes you can't visit certain websites or download certain apps. This isn't because the device is broken – it's because of something called parental controls! 🛡️

What Are Parental Controls?

Parental controls are special settings that parents and caregivers can use to make devices safer for children. Think of them like training wheels on a bicycle – they help keep you safe while you're learning! These controls can:

• Block websites that aren't appropriate for your age
• Limit how much time you can spend on certain apps
• Prevent you from downloading apps without permission
• Filter out scary or inappropriate content

Why Do We Need Parental Controls?

Just like your parents wouldn't let you drive a car or use sharp kitchen knives because you're not ready yet, some parts of the internet aren't designed for children. Here's why parental controls are so important:

Content Protection: Some websites have pictures, videos, or words that might be scary, confusing, or inappropriate for kids. Parental controls act like a shield to keep these things away from you! 🛡️

Stranger Safety: The internet connects people from all over the world. While most people are nice, some strangers might try to trick children or ask for personal information. Parental controls help prevent these dangerous situations.

Age-Appropriate Learning: Just like you wouldn't try to read a high school textbook, some websites and apps are designed for older kids or adults. Parental controls help you find content that's just right for your age and learning level.

How Do Parental Controls Work?

Parental controls work differently on different devices, but they all have the same goal: keeping you safe! Here are some common ways they work:

Website Filtering: This is like having a librarian who only shows you books that are right for your age. The parental controls check every website you try to visit and only let you see the safe ones.

App Restrictions: Before you can download a new game or app, the parental controls check if it's appropriate for your age. Some apps are only for teenagers or adults!

Time Limits: These controls can help you balance screen time with other activities like playing outside, reading books, or spending time with family.

Working With Your Parents

Parental controls aren't meant to be mean or to stop you from having fun. They're there because your parents love you and want to keep you safe! 💕 Here are some ways to work together with your parents:

• Ask Questions: If you can't access something you want to see, ask your parents why. They can explain if it's not appropriate or if they can help you find something similar that is safe.

• Share Your Interests: Tell your parents about websites, games, or apps you're interested in. They can help you find safe versions or alternatives.

• Be Patient: As you get older and show that you can make good choices, your parents might adjust the parental controls to give you more freedom.

Different Types of Devices

Parental controls work on many different types of devices:

• Tablets and Phones: These often have built-in parental controls that your parents can set up
• Computers: Special software can be installed to keep you safe while browsing
• Gaming Consoles: Video game systems have controls to limit what games you can play and who you can talk to online
• Smart TVs: Even televisions can have parental controls to filter out inappropriate shows and movies

Being a Good Digital Citizen

Understanding parental controls is part of being a good digital citizen. This means being responsible, respectful, and safe when using technology. When you respect the rules your parents set up, you're showing that you're growing up and learning to make good choices! 🌟

Have you ever tried to sign up for a website or download a game, only to be asked for your age? When you entered your age, maybe the website said you weren't old enough to join. This might seem unfair, but age requirements are actually there to protect you! 🔒

What Are Age Requirements?

Age requirements are rules that websites, apps, and games use to decide who can use their services. Just like movies have ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R), digital content has age ratings too. These ratings help parents and kids understand what's appropriate for different ages.

Why Do Age Requirements Exist?

Age requirements aren't meant to be mean or to exclude kids from having fun. They exist for several important reasons:

Content Appropriateness: Some games, videos, or websites contain content that might be too advanced, scary, or confusing for younger users. For example, a strategy game designed for teenagers might be too complicated for a third-grader to understand and enjoy.

Safety and Privacy: Younger children need extra protection online. Some websites collect personal information or allow communication with strangers, which can be dangerous for kids who haven't learned all the safety rules yet.

Legal Requirements: There are laws that require websites to get parental permission before collecting information from children under 13. This is called COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), and it helps keep kids safe!

Understanding Game and App Ratings

Just like movies, games and apps have special rating systems to help you and your parents choose appropriate content:

ESRB Ratings for Games: 🎮

• E (Everyone): Perfect for all ages, including you!
• E10+ (Everyone 10 and older): For kids 10 and up
• T (Teen): For teenagers 13 and older
• M (Mature): Only for adults 17 and older

App Store Ratings: 📱

• 4+: Safe for all ages
• 9+: For kids 9 and older
• 12+: For kids 12 and older
• 17+: Only for older teenagers and adults

Real-World Example: Johnny's Gaming Experience

Let's look at the example from your curriculum: Johnny wants to play a new video game he heard about at school. When he visits the website, here's what happens:

1. Age Check: The website asks Johnny to enter his age
2. Age Verification: Johnny enters that he's 8 years old
3. Access Denied: The website says he's not old enough to play

Why might this happen? The game might:

• Have violence or scary content
• Be too complex for younger players
• Allow chatting with strangers online
• Require reading skills above Johnny's grade level

Making Good Choices

When you encounter age requirements, here's how to handle the situation responsibly:

Don't Lie About Your Age: It might be tempting to enter a fake age, but this can get you into trouble and expose you to content that isn't safe for you. Being honest is always the best choice! ✨

Ask for Help: If you're interested in something but aren't old enough, talk to your parents. They might:

• Help you find a similar game or website that's age-appropriate
• Explain why the original content isn't suitable for you yet
• Show you how to find content that's designed for your age group

Be Patient: As you get older, you'll gain access to more content. Use this time to enjoy all the amazing games, websites, and apps that are designed specifically for kids your age!

Age-Appropriate Alternatives

There are tons of fantastic websites, games, and apps designed specifically for third-graders! Here are some types of content that are perfect for your age:

• Educational Games: Fun games that help you practice math, reading, and science
• Creative Platforms: Websites where you can draw, make music, or create stories
• Safe Social Platforms: Kid-friendly sites where you can share your creations with other children (with parental supervision)
• Virtual Worlds: Safe online spaces designed for children to explore and play

Understanding the Bigger Picture

Age requirements are part of a bigger system designed to keep everyone safe online. When you respect these requirements, you're:

• Showing that you're responsible and trustworthy
• Helping keep the internet safe for other kids
• Learning to make good choices that will serve you well as you grow up
• Building trust with your parents and teachers

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before trying to access any website or app, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this content designed for someone my age?
2. Would my parents be okay with me using this?
3. Do I understand what this website or app does?
4. Will this content help me learn or have fun in a positive way?

If you can answer "yes" to all these questions, you're probably making a good choice! 🌟

Sometimes, when people use the internet, they might say mean things to others or try to make them feel bad. When this happens online, it's called cyberbullying. Just like we don't tolerate bullying at school or on the playground, we shouldn't tolerate it online either! 🚫

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to be mean, hurtful, or threatening to another person. It can happen through:

• Text messages or emails with mean words
• Social media posts that make fun of someone
• Online games where players are mean to each other
• Comments on videos or pictures that hurt someone's feelings
• Sharing embarrassing photos or information about someone

Cyberbullying is never okay, and it's not your fault if it happens to you! 💙

Recognizing Cyberbullying

Sometimes it's easy to tell when someone is being mean online, but other times it might be harder to recognize. Here are some signs of cyberbullying:

Direct Meanness: Someone sends you messages with hurtful words, calls you names, or threatens you.

Exclusion: Someone purposely leaves you out of online games or groups to make you feel bad.

Spreading Rumors: Someone shares false or embarrassing information about you online.

Impersonation: Someone pretends to be you online and does things to damage your reputation.

Public Humiliation: Someone shares embarrassing photos or information about you where others can see.

The Difference Between Joking and Bullying

Sometimes friends tease each other in a playful way, but cyberbullying is different. Here's how to tell the difference:

Friendly Teasing:

• Both people are laughing and having fun
• It stops when someone asks it to stop
• It doesn't hurt anyone's feelings
• It's between friends who care about each other

Cyberbullying:

• One person is trying to hurt another person's feelings
• It continues even when someone asks it to stop
• It makes someone feel scared, sad, or angry
• It happens repeatedly or is very hurtful

What to Do If You Experience Cyberbullying

If someone is being mean to you online, here's exactly what you should do:

Step 1: Don't Respond or Fight Back

Your first instinct might be to respond with mean words of your own, but this usually makes the situation worse. Don't engage with the cyberbully. This means:

• Don't send mean messages back
• Don't argue with them
• Don't try to get revenge
• Don't share their mean messages with others to make fun of them

Step 2: Save the Evidence

Before you block or delete anything, save proof of what happened. This evidence will help trusted adults understand the situation and take action. Here's how to save evidence:

• Take screenshots of mean messages or posts
• Save emails that contain bullying
• Record videos if the bullying happens during video calls
• Write down what happened, including dates and times

Step 3: Block and Report

Most websites, apps, and games have tools to help you deal with cyberbullies:

• Block the person so they can't contact you anymore
• Mute their messages so you don't see them
• Report their behavior to the website or app administrators
• Unfriend or unfollow them on social media

Step 4: Tell a Trusted Adult Immediately

This is the most important step! You should tell a trusted adult right away, such as:

• Your parents or guardians
• Your teacher or school counselor
• A family member you trust
• A coach or other adult mentor

Show them the evidence you saved and explain what happened. They can help you figure out the best way to handle the situation.

Step 5: Report to Authorities if Necessary

If the cyberbullying is very serious (like threats of violence), trusted adults might need to report it to:

• School administrators (if it involves classmates)
• Police (if there are threats or illegal activities)
• Fortify Florida (a special reporting system for schools in Florida)

What to Do If You Witness Cyberbullying

If you see someone else being cyberbullied, you can help too! Here's what to do:

Don't Join In: Never participate in cyberbullying, even if others are doing it.

Support the Victim: Send a private message to the person being bullied to let them know you care and that it's not their fault.

Save Evidence: Take screenshots of the bullying to show to adults.

Tell an Adult: Report what you saw to a trusted adult, just like you would if you were the victim.

Don't Share: Don't forward or share the bullying messages – this can make the situation worse.

Taking Care of Your Feelings

Being cyberbullied can make you feel sad, angry, scared, or confused. These feelings are normal! Here are some ways to take care of yourself:

• Talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling
• Do activities that make you happy, like playing with friends or doing hobbies
• Remember that the bullying is not your fault
• Know that you're not alone – there are people who care about you and want to help

Prevention Tips

While you can't always prevent cyberbullying, here are some ways to stay safer online:

• Think before you post: Don't share personal information or embarrassing photos
• Use privacy settings: Make sure only friends can see your posts and information
• Be kind: Treat others online the way you want to be treated
• Tell adults: Keep parents and teachers informed about your online activities

Remember: You're Not Alone

Cyberbullying is a serious problem, but you don't have to face it alone. There are many people who care about you and want to help keep you safe online. By learning these skills and always telling trusted adults when something doesn't feel right, you're taking important steps to protect yourself and others! 🌟

When you're playing a fun game or watching an exciting video, it's easy to forget about everything else around you! But spending too much time looking at screens without moving your body can make you feel tired and uncomfortable. Learning to balance screen time with movement is like learning to balance on a bike – once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature! 🚴‍♀️

Why Movement Matters

Your body is designed to move! When you sit still for too long, several things happen:

Your Muscles Get Stiff: Just like a rubber band that's been stretched too long, your muscles can get tight and uncomfortable when you don't move them regularly.

Your Eyes Get Tired: Staring at a screen for a long time can make your eyes feel dry, itchy, or tired. This is called "digital eye strain."

Your Brain Gets Foggy: Moving your body helps get blood flowing to your brain, which helps you think more clearly and feel more alert.

Your Posture Suffers: Sitting in the same position for too long can make you slouch, which can lead to back and neck pain.

The Amazing 20-20-20 Rule

One of the most important rules for healthy screen time is called the 20-20-20 rule. It's super easy to remember and can help keep your eyes healthy! Here's how it works:

Every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Think of it like giving your eyes a mini-vacation! 🏖️ When you look at something far away, the muscles in your eyes get to relax and stretch, just like when you stretch your arms after sitting for a while.

How to Use the 20-20-20 Rule

Find Your 20-Foot Object: Look around your room and find something that's about 20 feet away. This could be:

• A tree outside your window 🌳
• A picture on the far wall
• A clock across the room
• Something in your backyard

Set a Timer: Ask your parents to help you set a timer for 20 minutes. When it goes off, that's your cue to take your eye break!

Look and Count: Look at your chosen object and count slowly to 20. You can count "one Mississippi, two Mississippi" or just count regularly.

Get Back to Fun: After your 20-second break, you can go back to your screen activity!

Fun Movement Breaks

Besides the 20-20-20 rule, it's important to get your whole body moving regularly. Here are some fun ways to add movement to your screen time:

Dance Breaks: Put on your favorite song and dance for one whole song! This gets your heart pumping and your body moving. 💃

Stretching Time: Do some simple stretches like:

• Reach your arms up high like you're trying to touch the ceiling
• Roll your shoulders backward and forward
• Twist your body gently from side to side
• Touch your toes (or try to!)

Exercise Challenges: Try doing:

• 10 jumping jacks
• 5 push-ups (you can do them against a wall if regular push-ups are too hard)
• Walk around your house or apartment
• Do some yoga poses

Active Games: Choose games that get you moving, like:

• Dance games that make you move your whole body
• Sports games that use motion controllers
• Apps that encourage you to walk around or exercise

Creating a Movement Schedule

One great way to balance screen time and movement is to create a schedule. Here's an example of what a healthy afternoon might look like:

3:00 PM: Snack time and check in with family 3:15 PM: 20 minutes of educational screen time 3:35 PM: 20-20-20 eye break + 5 minutes of stretching 3:40 PM: 20 minutes of game time 4:00 PM: Dance break to two favorite songs 4:10 PM: 20 minutes of creative screen time (drawing app, coding game) 4:30 PM: Outdoor play time or physical activity

Making Movement Fun

Movement doesn't have to be boring! Here are some ways to make it more enjoyable:

Movement Games: Create games with your family, like "Simon Says" with movements, or see who can do the most jumping jacks.

Movement Rewards: After completing a learning activity on your device, reward yourself with a fun movement break.

Family Activities: Ask your family to join you for movement breaks. It's more fun when everyone participates!

Outdoor Adventures: Use your breaks as opportunities to go outside and explore nature, ride a bike, or play with friends.

Listening to Your Body

Your body is very smart and will tell you when it needs a break. Here are some signals to watch out for:

Eye Signals: 👀

• Eyes feeling dry or itchy
• Blinking more than usual
• Headaches
• Difficulty focusing on the screen

Body Signals: 🤸‍♀️

• Feeling restless or fidgety
• Neck or back starting to feel stiff
• Feeling sleepy or sluggish
• Wanting to move around

Brain Signals: 🧠

• Having trouble concentrating
• Feeling grumpy or frustrated
• Not enjoying your screen activity as much
• Mind feeling "foggy"

When you notice these signals, it's time for a movement break!

The Benefits of Balance

When you balance screen time with movement, amazing things happen:

• Better Focus: You'll be able to concentrate better on your schoolwork and enjoy your screen time more
• More Energy: Moving your body gives you more energy throughout the day
• Better Sleep: Physical activity helps you sleep better at night
• Stronger Body: Regular movement helps build strong muscles and bones
• Happier Mood: Exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy
• Healthier Eyes: Taking breaks keeps your eyes comfortable and healthy

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to help you successfully balance movement and screen time:

Start Small: If you're not used to taking breaks, start with just one or two movement breaks per day and gradually add more.

Make It Routine: Try to take movement breaks at the same times each day so it becomes a habit.

Get Help: Ask your parents, teachers, or siblings to remind you to take breaks until it becomes automatic.

Be Patient: It might take some time to get used to taking regular breaks, but it will become easier with practice.

Have Fun: Choose movements that you enjoy so you'll actually want to do them!

Remember, the goal isn't to avoid screen time completely – it's to enjoy it in a healthy way that takes care of your amazing body and mind! 🌟

Just like brushing your teeth or washing your hands, using technology in healthy ways should become a habit that you do automatically! 🦷 Healthy digital habits help you enjoy screen time while taking care of your body and mind. When you practice these habits every day, they become as natural as tying your shoes or saying "please" and "thank you."

What Are Healthy Digital Habits?

Healthy digital habits are the good behaviors you practice every time you use a device. These habits help you:

• Stay comfortable while using screens
• Protect your eyes and body
• Focus better on what you're doing
• Enjoy technology without getting tired or uncomfortable
• Balance screen time with other important activities

The Perfect Posture

How you sit while using devices is super important! Good posture helps prevent aches and pains and keeps your body healthy. Here's how to sit like a champion: 🏆

Feet on the Floor: Keep both feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. Your legs should be like two strong pillars supporting your body.

Back Straight: Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head. Your back should be straight but not stiff – think "tall and proud" like a superhero!

Shoulders Relaxed: Let your shoulders drop down and relax. Don't scrunch them up toward your ears.

Elbows at Your Sides: Keep your elbows close to your body, not stretched out to the sides.

Screen at Eye Level: Your screen should be at the same height as your eyes or slightly lower. You shouldn't have to look up or down too much.

Setting Up Your Workspace

Creating a good workspace helps you maintain healthy habits automatically:

Choose the Right Chair: Use a chair that supports your back and lets your feet touch the floor. If you're too short, ask for a footrest or cushion.

Proper Lighting: Make sure your room has enough light so you don't have to strain your eyes. Natural light from windows is great, but make sure it doesn't create glare on your screen.

Screen Distance: Keep your screen about an arm's length away from your face. If you can touch the screen with your fingertips when your arm is stretched out, that's perfect!

Clutter-Free Space: Keep your workspace organized so you can focus on what you're doing without distractions.

Time Management Habits

Managing your time well helps you balance screen time with other important activities:

Use Timers: Set timers to remind yourself to take breaks. Many devices have built-in timers, or you can use a kitchen timer. ⏰

Plan Your Screen Time: Before you start using a device, decide how long you'll use it and what you want to accomplish.

Take Regular Breaks: Even if you don't feel tired, take breaks every 20-30 minutes. Your body and eyes need rest even when you're having fun!

End with Purpose: When your planned screen time is over, save your work and turn off the device. Don't just keep going "for a few more minutes."

Eye Care Habits

Your eyes work hard when you're looking at screens, so it's important to take extra good care of them:

Blink Often: When we look at screens, we sometimes forget to blink enough. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly to keep your eyes moist.

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: We learned about this in the previous section – it's so important it's worth mentioning again!

Adjust Screen Brightness: Your screen shouldn't be the brightest or darkest thing in your room. Adjust the brightness so it's comfortable for your eyes.

Clean Your Screen: Dirty screens can make your eyes work harder. Ask an adult to help you clean your screen regularly with appropriate cleaning supplies.

Physical Activity Habits

Staying active while using technology doesn't have to be complicated:

Active Sitting: Even while sitting, you can:

• Tap your feet gently
• Do shoulder rolls
• Stretch your neck from side to side
• Take deep breaths

Standing Breaks: Stand up and move around for at least 5 minutes every hour. You can:

• Walk to the kitchen for a drink of water
• Do a few stretches
• Help with a quick household task
• Look out a window

Active Learning: When possible, choose activities that get you moving:

• Educational games that require physical movement
• Standing while reading or watching educational videos
• Walking around while listening to audiobooks or podcasts

Mindful Technology Use

Being mindful means paying attention to what you're doing and how you're feeling:

Check In With Yourself: Every so often, ask yourself:

• How is my body feeling?
• Are my eyes comfortable?
• Am I still enjoying what I'm doing?
• Do I need a break?

Choose Quality Content: Pick games, videos, and apps that make you feel good and help you learn or have fun in positive ways.

Avoid Multitasking: Focus on one thing at a time. Don't try to do homework while watching videos or playing games.

Practice Gratitude: Think about how amazing it is that you have access to all this technology and information!

Creating a Daily Routine

Having a routine helps healthy habits become automatic. Here's an example of a healthy daily routine:

Morning: 🌅

• Check the weather on a device (5 minutes)
• Eat breakfast away from screens
• Get ready for school

After School: 🏠

• Have a snack and talk with family
• Do homework with short screen breaks
• Enjoy planned recreational screen time with movement breaks

Evening: 🌙

• Put devices away 1 hour before bedtime
• Read a book or do a quiet activity
• Get ready for bed

Sleep and Screen Time

Good sleep is super important for growing kids, and screens can affect your sleep:

Screen Curfew: Stop using screens at least 1 hour before bedtime. The blue light from screens can make it harder to fall asleep.

No Screens in Bed: Keep devices out of your bedroom if possible. Your bed should be a place for rest, not for screens.

Wind-Down Activities: Instead of screens before bed, try:

• Reading a book
• Drawing or coloring
• Listening to calm music
• Talking with family

Healthy Snacking

What you eat while using screens matters too:

Nutritious Snacks: Choose healthy snacks that give you energy:

• Fresh fruits 🍎
• Vegetables with hummus
• Whole grain crackers
• Water instead of sugary drinks

Mindful Eating: Pay attention to what you're eating instead of just munching mindlessly while staring at a screen.

Clean Hands: Wash your hands before and after eating to keep your devices clean and germ-free.

Getting Help When You Need It

Developing healthy habits is easier when you have support:

Ask for Reminders: It's okay to ask parents, teachers, or siblings to remind you to take breaks or check your posture.

Use Technology to Help: There are apps and features that can remind you to take breaks or help you track your screen time.

Be Patient with Yourself: It takes time to develop new habits. Don't worry if you forget sometimes – just try again!

The Rewards of Healthy Habits

When you practice healthy digital habits, you'll notice:

• More Energy: You'll feel less tired after using screens
• Better Focus: You'll be able to concentrate better on both screen activities and other tasks
• Fewer Aches: Your neck, back, and eyes will feel more comfortable
• Better Sleep: You'll fall asleep easier and sleep more soundly
• More Enjoyment: You'll actually enjoy your screen time more because you'll feel better while doing it
• Proud Feelings: You'll feel proud of yourself for taking such good care of your body and mind

Remember, healthy digital habits are like superpowers – they help you enjoy technology while keeping your body and mind strong and happy! 🦸‍♀️