Using technology safely
Year 5 · Computing
Give clear instructions, solve problems and use technology safely.
Choose a game
Take your time, try a game and collect stars.
Being safe and kind online: a KS2 computing game
What is cyberbullying? How can you report a worry? A free KS2 game about safe, respectful and responsible behaviour online.
Play Being safe and kind online: a KS2 computing game
Learning about using technology safely
In this Year 5 computing collection, you can practise Being safe and kind online: a KS2 computing game. Choose a game above for a short activity, or explore the examples below before you play. The full guide for each game explains its controls, gives more examples and includes a free printable for practice away from the screen.
Talk it through
Ask your child to predict an outcome before testing it. When a prediction does not match the result, change one thing at a time. Safety games rehearse decisions, but children should still ask a trusted adult when something online worries them.
Ask: “What would happen if you changed one step?” Give your child time to explain. Return to an example after playing and ask whether they would approach it differently.
Being safe and kind online: a KS2 computing game
By Key Stage 2, many children message friends, play online games and watch videos. The National Curriculum asks them to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, to recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and to know a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Try an example: A classmate keeps sending you unkind messages. Which is the best thing to do?
Replying makes it worse; deleting removes the evidence. Keep a copy, block, and get help.
Show the answer
Save the messages, block them and tell a trusted adult.
What to look out for
Thinking cyberbullying is “just a joke”. If it upsets someone, it is not acceptable. Ask how the other person might feel.
Read the full Being safe and kind online: a KS2 computing game guide
Practise away from the screen
- Agree a family online agreement and review it each year.
Curriculum connections
These games support selected practice connected to Digital literacy in the National Curriculum in England. The programme groups requirements by key stage; the year shown here is our suggested practice placement. A game covers selected examples, rather than assessing every requirement.
Questions families ask
Where should we start with using technology safely?
Start with Being safe and kind online: a KS2 computing game. Look at the worked example together, then try a round. If the task feels unfamiliar, use the full game guide or its free printable before trying again.
Does this cover everything taught at this level?
No. This collection brings together the games currently available for this learning area. It supports selected skills and does not replace the full programme of study or practical teaching.