Smart with Information
FoundationThink before uploading photos; protect your own and classmates' privacy; cite sources, and verify news before sharing.
- Name, address, school and photos are privacy — never share casually.
- Think before uploading; share only with consent.
- Cite your sources; copying is dishonest.
文體小知識：說明文把一件事講得清清楚楚。這一篇教你聰明使用資訊：保護私隱、尊重創作、辨別真假，做個良好的網絡公民。
§Text Passage
1We receive information every day: television, books, the internet and phone messages. Information can be true or false, public or private. Using it wisely — protecting ourselves and respecting others — is called media literacy. Primary pupils go online for homework and videos, so good habits must start young.
2Lesson one: protect privacy. Your name, address, phone number, school and photos are personal privacy; never tell them casually to strangers online, and never publish other people's details. Before uploading a photo, think: does it show my face or my classmates'? Does it leak any information? Think clearly, then press send.
3Lesson two: respect creation. Articles, pictures and songs online are others' hard work, protected by intellectual property rights. In projects you may quote material, but write it in your own words and cite the source; never claim an online picture as your own drawing, and never copy homework.
4Lesson three: tell true from false. Rumours spread fast online, and alarming headlines deserve caution. When you see a message, first ask: where did it come from? Is the source reliable? Ask teachers or parents, or check official websites. Never forward what you are not sure about — forwarding rumours is helping rumours run.
5Be a good digital citizen: use the internet to learn, comment politely; if you see a classmate bullied or harassed online, tell a teacher; if you receive strange messages, tell your parents at once. Media literacy is like an umbrella — held up well, it lets us explore the world of information with peace of mind.
1Summary 重點摘要
Think before uploading photos; protect your own and classmates' privacy; cite sources, and verify news before sharing.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
News and knowledge from TV, books and the internet.
The ability to use information wisely, safely and ethically.
Personal matters and details we do not want strangers to know.
Details like name, address, phone, school and photos.
To put photos or videos onto the internet.
Rights protecting creators' work, such as pictures and songs.
To say where quoted material came from.
An unverified message, never to be forwarded casually.
To check whether a message is true before believing it.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Know what privacy isPersonal privacy means the details strangers should not know: your name, address, phone number, school and class, plus our photos and videos. If such details fall into bad hands, they can be used to pretend to be us, harass us, or even lure us. So remember: never fill in personal details online casually; if a stranger asks where you live or which school you attend, answer not a word and tell your parents at once.
- Step 2: Think before uploading photosTaking photos is joyful, but before pressing upload pass three gates. Gate one: who is in the photo — me, classmates or family? Gate two: do they agree to be shared? Without consent, their faces should not go online. Gate three: does the photo leak information? A school badge on a uniform or an address in the background can reveal where we are. Share only after all three gates. Once online, a photo is hard to remove completely — better slow than hasty.
- Step 3: Protect classmates and friendsProtecting privacy means protecting others as well as ourselves. Never post a classmate's phone or address for them; taking photos of a classmate falling or looking silly to laugh at them is cyberbullying and is absolutely wrong; if you receive someone's private photo, do not forward or save it — remind them to be careful. If you find a classmate's details exposed or mocked, tell a teacher and help at once. Put yourself in their place: would you want your photo passed around the class? Respecting others is protecting yourself.
- Step 4: Respect intellectual propertyArticles, pictures, photos, music and videos online are the fruits of others' labour, protected by intellectual property rights. Remember: when quoting online material in a report, write it in your own words and cite the source; never cut out someone's picture and call it your own drawing; never download pirated films, music or games; copying a classmate's homework is equally wrong. Respect the creator's hard work, and your own creations will be respected in return one day.
- Step 5: Verify and tell true from falseThe internet is full of information, true mixed with false, and the more sensational the headline the more careful we must be. Verify with three moves: first, check the source — government sites, official bodies and trusted media are more reliable; unknown group messages deserve doubt. Second, compare — read several sources on the same event; consistent accounts are more credible. Third, ask — consult teachers and parents, or verify together. Never forward unverified news: forwarding falsehood is running errands for rumours.
- Step 6: Seek help and remind each otherWhen trouble comes online, tell a trusted adult at once: if a stranger sends strange messages or gift offers, do not reply or click — tell your parents; if someone insults or threatens you online, keep screenshots and give them to your teacher instead of fighting back yourself; if you have filled in personal details by mistake, ask an adult to help fix it at once. You can also agree with your family on internet time and rules. The information world is like the sea: learn to swim well and sail with companions, and you can explore its wonders in safety.
5Worked example Example
Example: You took photos of a classmate's birthday party on Mummy's phone. You want to send them to the family group and also print them for the whole class. What is the right way?
- Check the content: do the photos show classmates' faces and other private details? Get consent from them (and their parents) before sharing.
- Know the audience: sending to the family group is usually fine; printing for the class needs every classmate in the photos to agree first.
- Cite the source: say who took the photos; if you used a birthday graphic from the internet, note where it came from.
- When unsure: ask your parents or teacher, who will help you judge.
- Answer: Before sharing I must ask the classmates in the photos and get their consent; the family group is fine, but printing for the class needs everyone pictured to agree. Internet graphics must be credited. When unsure, ask parents or teachers — protect your own and classmates' privacy and respect others' creations.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What counts as personal privacy?
Q2What must we do before uploading others' photos?
Q3How should we use online material in a report?
Q4What should we do with a suspicious message?
Q5What should we do if bullied online?
8Recap Recap
- Name, address, school and photos are privacy — never share casually.
- Think before uploading; share only with consent.
- Cite your sources; copying is dishonest.
- Verify before believing; never forward the unverified.
- When trouble arises online, tell a trusted adult at once.