Search, Copyright and Responsible Online Behaviour

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• Computing
• Primary Education

Searching and Sharing Online

Learning goal

I can use search tools carefully, respect copyright, and make responsible choices online.

What words come to mind when you think about being safe online?

Use this to activate prior knowledge. Likely themes: searching, sharing, privacy, kindness, strangers, passwords, copyright. Invite pupils to notice which ideas appear most often.

Lesson introduction

This KS2 computing lesson explores Search, Copyright and Responsible Online Behaviour. Pupils evaluate search results, recognise that online content belongs to creators and make responsible choices when communicating and sharing. It is suitable for classroom teaching, independent practice or a clear recap of the topic.

What is a search engine?

• A search engine helps you find information online

• You type in keywords to look for a topic

• It shows a list of search results

• Not every result is the best one to choose

Keep examples familiar for UK pupils, such as searching for facts about hedgehogs, planets or a famous landmark in Britain.

Choosing good keywords

Good searches use clear words.

• Use the main topic words

• Add detail if needed

• Try fewer words rather than a full question

• Change a word if your results are not helpful

For example: Roman roads Britain may work better than Tell me about roads from Roman times.

Looking at search results

• Read the title carefully

• Look for words that match your topic

• Check who made the page

• Think: does this result look useful and safe?

Reinforce that pupils should not click random links without checking first. Mention that adults can help if a result seems strange or worrying.

How to check if information is useful

Useful information is clear, matches your topic, and comes from a source you can trust.

A good result often:

• answers your question

• uses sensible language

• looks up to date

• comes from a reliable organisation, museum, school or news source

At KS2 level, focus on simple trust clues rather than full source evaluation frameworks.

Which search is most likely to give useful results?

A

Tell me all about Roman roads in Britain

B

Roman roads Britain

C

I want facts about old roads

D

Why did Romans make roads then

Checks the idea that clear keywords often work better than full questions.

Complete the search advice

A search engine helps you find information online. You type keywords and read the title carefully before clicking. Good information should match your topic and come from a reliable source.

search engine

keywords

title

reliable

password

questions

picture

famous

creator

message

Differentiation: support pupils by reading the paragraph aloud first; challenge pupils to explain why the distractors do not fit.

How would you check a result before clicking it?

Expected elements: choose clear keywords, check the title, look for matching topic words, check who made the page, decide whether it seems useful and safe. This is an application task using the search block.

Online work belongs to someone

• Pictures, videos, music and writing are made by creators

• That work belongs to them

• Copyright helps protect their work

• We should not pretend someone else's work is our own

What copyright means

Copyright means a creator has rights over the work they made. If you copy, share or use it, you must follow the rules.

This helps people get credit for their ideas and creativity.

Use simple examples such as a classmate drawing a picture, composing music, or writing a story. Link ownership in the real world to ownership online.

Using online content fairly

• Use your own words when possible

• Say where information came from

• Ask before using images if needed

• Look for content that is free to use for learning

You can mention 'crediting the source' in simple terms, such as writing the website name under a picture.

Copying or creating?

There is a big difference between:

• copying someone else's words or image

• creating your own work using facts you have learned

Responsible computing means learning from sources without stealing from creators.

What does copyright help protect?

A

A creator's work

B

A computer screen

C

A search engine

D

A school password

Targets the key idea that online content belongs to creators.

Complete the copyright paragraph

Pictures, music and writing are made by creators. Copyright means they have rights over their work. When we use online information, we should use our own words and give credit to the source.

creators

Copyright

words

credit

results

sharing

pages

title

comment

private

Echoes the lesson wording: creators, copyright, own words, credit the source.

Which choice shows creating, not copying?

A

Pasting a whole paragraph

B

Saving a picture as yours

C

Writing facts in your own words

D

Posting music without asking

Useful discussion point: learning from sources is fine, but pretending someone else's work is your own is not.

Responsible online behaviour

• Be kind in messages and comments

• Think before you post or share

• Keep personal information private

• Tell a trusted adult if something online feels wrong

Examples of personal information: full name, home address, phone number, school details, passwords.

Think before you share

Before sharing online, stop and check:

• Is it true?

• Is it kind?

• Is it safe?

• Do I have permission to share it?

If the answer is no, do not share it.

What to do if a problem happens

• Stop using the page or app

• Do not reply to unkind messages

• Save evidence if an adult asks you to

• Tell a trusted adult straight away

You may name trusted adults such as a parent, carer or teacher. Keep the focus on safe reporting, not solving the problem alone.

Using all three ideas together

When you work online:

1. Search carefully to find useful results

2. Respect copyright when using other people's work

3. Behave responsibly when communicating and sharing

These steps help you stay safe, fair and thoughtful online.

This is the lesson landing point: search skills, copyright and behaviour are connected, not separate rules.

What should you do if a message online feels wrong?

A

Reply straight away

B

Share it widely

C

Tell a trusted adult

D

Keep it secret

Checks the safety response from the responsible behaviour slides.

Before sharing something online, which check is easiest to forget?

1

Is it true?

2

Is it kind?

3

Is it safe?

4

Do I have permission?

What are the three big things to remember online?

Expected elements: search carefully, use trustworthy results, respect copyright by using own words or giving credit, share kindly and safely, keep personal information private. Use for final synthesis discussion.

What is one thing you will remember from this lesson?

Reflection only. Encourage simple sentence starters such as 'I learned that...' or 'I will remember...'.

Which part of this lesson felt hardest for you?

Reflection only. Invite honest answers to help future teaching and identify pupils who may need extra support.

Glossary

search engine - a tool that helps you find information online

keyword - an important word you type into a search box

search result - a link or page shown after a search

source - the place where information comes from

copyright - rules that protect a creator's work

creator - a person who makes something original

personal information - private details about you that should not be shared freely online