Hi Mom, because we care so much about your safety, I’ve put together a special four-part class to help you feel confident and secure whenever you use your computer or phone.
How to Use This Class
To get the most out of these lessons, we’ll follow a simple three-step rhythm for each topic:
- The Lesson: I will explain a specific digital safety topic in plain English
- Hands-On Activity: We will practice the skill together on your actual device so you can get the "feel" for it in your hands.
- The Quiz: At the end of each section, there are 10 quick questions to help you learn without pressure.
Class 1: Spotting the "Urgency" Trap
Mom, I want you to learn how scammers try to "hijack" your brain by making you feel panicked. They want to create a "digital fire" that makes you act before you think.
- The Lesson: Scammers will send an email or text saying your bank account is "frozen" or your Medicare is "canceled." They use words like URGENT, IMMEDIATE, or FINAL NOTICE. Legitimate companies like your bank or the IRS will never pressure you to act this way over a text or email.
- Hands-On Activity: Open your "Junk" or "Spam" folder with me. Let’s look at three messages and count how many "scary" words they use. We won’t click anything; we’re just being detectives.
- Quiz:
- If a text says your bank is closed unless you click a link now, what should you do? (Wait/Delete)
- Does the IRS send text messages to demand money? (Yes/No)
- What is the main goal of a "scary" email? (To help you/To panic you)
- If you feel panicked by an email, should you click the link? (Yes/No)
- Who should you call if you're worried about your bank? (The number in the text/The number on your card)
- Is "Final Notice" usually a sign of a real emergency or a scam? (Emergency/Scam)
- Scammers want you to act ______? (Slowly/Quickly)
- Should you trust a text from an unknown number? (Yes/No)
- If an email has your name but sounds scary, is it definitely real? (Yes/No)
- What is the best thing to do with a scary, unknown text? (Reply/Delete)
Class 2: The "Deepfake" Voice & Family Code Words
Mom, I want you to learn that in 2026, a computer can copy anyone's voice—even mine—using just a short recording from the internet.
- The Lesson: This is called a "vishing" or "voice phishing" scam. A scammer might call pretending to be me or a grandchild, saying we are in trouble and need money. They sound just like us! To beat them, we use a Family Code Word. If the person on the phone doesn't know our secret word (like "Blueberry" or "Saffron"), it’s a computer, not a family member.
- Hands-On Activity: Let's sit down and pick a secret "Family Code Word" together that only you and your family knows.
Quiz:
- Can a computer sound like a family member? (Yes/No)
- What is a "Family Code Word"? (A password/A secret word for safety)
- If "I" call you and sound like I'm in trouble, what is the first thing you ask? (The code word/How much money)
- Should you send money to someone who doesn't know the code word? (Yes/No)
- Where should you keep your code word? (On the fridge/Near your phone)
- If a "grandchild" says "Don't tell Mom," is that a red flag? (Yes/No)
- Can scammers find our voices on the internet? (Yes/No)
- If you're unsure if it's really me, should you hang up and call me back? (Yes/No)
- Is a computer-made voice called a "Deepfake"? (Yes/No)
- Do we ever share our code word with a stranger? (Yes/No)
Class 3: Hovering Before You Click
Mom, I want you to learn how to see "behind the mask" of a link before you ever touch it.
- The Lesson: A link is like a door. Scammers put a "Bank of America" sign on the door, but the door actually leads to their house. If you are on a computer, you can "hover" your mouse over a link without clicking, and a small box will show you the real address. If the email says it's from "Amazon" but the real address is "https://www.google.com/search?q=xyz-scam-site.com," don't go inside!
- Hands-On Activity: Use your mouse to hover over the links in this practice email I sent you. See how the little address pops up at the bottom of the screen? Let's practice finding the "imposter" addresses together.
- Quiz:
- What is "hovering"? (Clicking quickly/Moving the mouse over without clicking)
- Can a link look like a real company but go to a fake one? (Yes/No)
- Where do you look for the "real" address when hovering? (The top/The bottom or a small box)
- If the link says "Amazon" but the hover says "https://www.google.com/search?q=store-123.com," is it safe? (Yes/No)
- Should you click a link in an email you weren't expecting? (Yes/No)
- What is a "spoofed" address? (A real one/A fake one that looks real)
- If an email has the "Amazon" logo, is it definitely from Amazon? (Yes/No)
- Is it safer to type a website address yourself? (Yes/No)
- Does "Hovering" work on a phone? (Yes, if you hold your finger down/No)
- If you aren't sure, should you ask me first? (Yes/No)
Class 4: The "Silent Handshake" (MFA)
Mom, I want you to learn about your "Second Key." This is how we make sure that even if a scammer gets your password, they still can't get into your accounts.
- The Lesson: This is called "Multi-Factor Authentication" or MFA. Think of it like a house with two different locks that need two different keys. The first key is your password. The second key is a special code that gets sent only to your phone. If a stranger calls and asks you to "read the code" from your phone, NEVER do it. That code is your "Silent Handshake" and it's for your eyes only.
- Hands-On Activity: Let’s log into your email together. Watch how it asks for your password, and then watch your phone for the special code. I’ll show you where to type it in so you see how the "Second Key" works.
- Quiz:
- What is a "Second Key" (MFA)? (A spare key/An extra layer of security)
- Where is the special code usually sent? (To your neighbor/To your phone)
- If a "tech support" person asks for your code, do you give it to them? (Yes/No)
- Is your password the only thing you need for a secure account? (Yes/No)
- Should you read your security codes to anyone on the phone? (Yes/No)
- Does MFA make it harder for scammers to get in? (Yes/No)
- If you get a code but you aren't trying to log in, is that a red flag? (Yes/No)
- Is a "Silent Handshake" a good way to stay safe? (Yes/No)
- Can a fingerprint be a "Second Key"? (Yes/No)
- Is the code sent to your phone your secret? (Yes/No)