The internet is a vast, magical world full of opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection. But just like kids need guidance to navigate the physical world safely, they need tools and education to explore the digital world with confidence. That is exactly why Google created Be Internet Awesome, a program designed to empower children with the skills to be safe, smart, and responsible digital citizens. Google’s Be Internet Awesome program, developed with funding from Google.org and educational resources in partnership with Highlights, provides a complete framework for digital resilience. It moves beyond basic “stranger danger” concepts, equipping kids, families, and educators with concrete, actionable steps to navigate the web confidently.

🎥 Prefer watching instead of reading? You can watch the NotebookLM podcast video with slides and visuals based on this blog here.

What is Be Internet Awesome?

Be Internet Awesome is more than just a safety guide; it is a comprehensive program that has educated over 100 million children worldwide on the fundamentals of digital citizenship. Targeted primarily at students in grades 2–6 (ages 7–12), the curriculum is flexible enough to be adapted for younger or older learners.

The program is not just popular, it is proven effective. It received the ISTE Seal of Alignment for Readiness and is the first internet safety program evaluated by the University of New Hampshire’s Crimes Against Children Research Center to show a positive impact on student learning in digital safety and citizenship.

Why Google Created This Program

Parents and educators globally have been asking for trusted, evidence-based resources to guide children through online safety topics like spotting scams, creating strong passwords, and understanding what is okay to share. In partnership with leading organizations, Internet Keep Safe Coalition, ConnectSafely, and the Family Online Safety Institute, Google designed a program that does just that.

This initiative aligns with Google’s broader commitment to youth wellbeing and digital literacy, ensuring that children develop the technical awareness and social responsibility needed to explore the internet with confidence.

🌟 Go to the official website 👉 Be Internet Awesome

The Core: The Internet Code of Awesome

At the heart of Be Internet Awesome is the Internet Code of Awesome, five foundational principles that teach kids how to be responsible online. Here is a deeper look at each pillar, and the specific digital tactics that make online exploration safer and smarter:

Pillar 1: Be Internet SMART – Thinking Beyond the Post (Share with Care)

In the digital world, actions travel fast, and posts can have lasting consequences. Being Internet Smart means understanding that every click leaves a footprint.

The Enduring Digital Footprint: Anything shared, a photo, comment, or story, could stay online indefinitely. Sometimes, the smartest move is choosing not to post at all.

Identifying Oversharing Risks: Sharing too much personal information (addresses, school names, or even friends’ details) increases risk. Kids should ask themselves: Would I be comfortable if this were shared with everyone?

💡 Pro Tip: Families can make this fun by creating a “Three-Column Sharing Chart” labeled Okay to Share, Not to Share, and Ask First. This helps everyone visualize boundaries and build safe sharing habits together.

🌟 Check out the exercise offered by Be Internet Awesome 👉 In Real Life or Online?

Pillar 2: Be Internet ALERT – Mastering the Art of Deception Detection (Do not Fall for Fake)

Digital literacy requires more than caution; it demands critical thinking. Kids learn how to tell what is real from what is fake, using both intuition and technical cues.

Spotting Scams and Phishing: Scams often lure users with offers that seem “too good to be true.” Phishing emails, fake login pages, or texts can disguise themselves as trusted contacts.

Technical Warning Signs:

• Check URLs carefully; fake ones often contain misspellings.
• Look for the padlock and “https://” to confirm a site is secure.
• Remember: no pop-up can actually “scan” your computer. Scareware often tries to trick users into downloading malware.

💡 The Virus Headache: Malicious programs can copy themselves, lock files, or steal sensitive data. Always update antivirus software and never open suspicious attachments.

🌟 Check out the exercise offered by Be Internet Awesome 👉 Suspicious Website Clues

Pillar 3: Be Internet STRONG – Building Digital Fortresses (Secure Your Secrets)

Being Internet Strong means protecting your personal information and devices just like you would protect your home.

The Power of Passwords:

A strong password should be:

1. At least eight characters long
2. A mix of letters (upper & lower), numbers, and symbols
3. Unique for every major account

Avoid: birthdays, names, sports teams, or simple sequences like 123456. If a password might be compromised, change it immediately.

💡 Family Exercise: Try a “Password Strength Challenge” at home or in class, have kids build fun, random passwords (like “Taco!Moon$98”) to learn about secure combinations.

🌟 Check out the exercise offered by Be Internet Awesome 👉 Guess The Password

Pillar 4: Be Internet KIND – Amplifying Positivity (It is Cool to Be Kind)

Kindness is contagious online. Be Internet Kind focuses on empathy, awareness, and using technology as a tool for good.

Being an Upstander: When you see bullying or negativity, do not scroll past it. Stand up by posting kind comments, supporting those affected, or reporting the incident. This collective response, sometimes called a pile-on of kindness, helps counter toxic behavior.

💡 Empathy in Action: Online words can be easily misunderstood. When something feels tense or confusing, move the conversation offline to ensure tone and intent are not lost.

🌟 Check out the exercise offered by Be Internet Awesome 👉 Cook Up Some Kindness

Pillar 5: Be Internet BRAVE – Knowing When and How to Speak Up (When in Doubt, Talk It Out)

Courage online means asking for help when something feels off.

Crisis Protocol:

1. Talk to a trusted adult, parent, teacher, or counselor.
2. Don’t reply to bullies or scammers; silence denies them attention.
3. Get proof, take a screenshot before blocking or reporting.
4. Block and report the account immediately.

💡 If you accidentally share personal data or click a suspicious link, the right response is: inform an adult, change passwords, and secure your accounts immediately.

🌟 Check out the exercise offered by Be Internet Awesome 👉 Ready, Set, Go?

Decoding the Digital Lexicon: Web Words 101

The internet has its own language, and mastering it is part of being digitally smart.

Term	Meaning
Cookies	Small data files that track your online activity. (Fun fact: the Highlights + Google site uses them for analytics only, not ads.)
Digital Footprint	The lasting trail of information you leave behind online.
Phishing	Scams disguised as emails or messages from trusted companies are trying to steal personal info.
Trolling	Posting comments to provoke anger or negative reactions.
Upstander	Someone who actively steps up to stop bullying and promotes kindness online.

Encouraging children to understand these terms builds digital fluency and awareness, making them more confident explorers of the online world.

Awesome Tools and Resources

Google has made the program engaging and accessible through multiple resources:

Interland: A fun, adventure-packed game with four challenges that bring digital safety lessons to life: Mindful Mountain (Share with Care), Reality River (Do not Fall for Fake), Tower of Treasure (Secure Your Secrets), and Kind Kingdom (It is Cool to Be Kind).

🌟 Explore Interland 👉 Interland

Be Internet Awesome World on Roblox: Interactive gaming on a platform kids already love. Players explore the world of the Internauts while learning digital safety through hands-on scenarios.

Curriculum & Lesson Plans: Ready-to-use classroom activities that bring core lessons to life with minimal preparation.

🌟 Download the Digital Safety and Citizenship Curriculum 👉 Digital Safety and Citizenship Curriculum

AI Literacy Guide: For grades 2–8, this guide introduces foundational AI concepts, critical thinking about bias, and responsible AI use.

🌟 Download the AI Literacy Guide 👉 AI Literacy Guide

Be Internet Awesome Pledge: Families can review the fundamentals together and commit to safe, smart online behavior.

🌟 Download the Interland Pledge 👉 Interland Pledge

Empowering the Next Generation

By combining technical know-how, emotional intelligence, and family collaboration, Google’s Be Internet Awesome program builds digital resilience from every angle, at home, school, and online.

This is not just about keeping kids safe; it is about raising a generation of curious, kind, and confident digital explorers who know how to turn the internet into a tool for creativity, connection, and personal growth.

To truly make the most of this initiative, explore these official Be Internet Awesome resources designed for families, educators, and young learners:

• Highlights x Google Digital Magazine: A beautifully illustrated issue introducing kids to digital citizenship and kindness online.
• Family Guide PDF: Activities and discussion starters to bring online safety into everyday family life.
• Be Internet Awesome Activities Hub: Games, printable worksheets, and classroom-ready templates to make learning about safety fun and hands-on.
• Digital Citizenship & Safety Tips: Quick, actionable checklists to help students and families stay secure and confident online.

Let’s make digital exploration a shared adventure. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or young creator, start today, play a level of Interland, review the Family Guide, or bring a tip from the Educator’s Handbook into your next lesson.

Because being online is not just about access, it is about awesomeness.🌟