Teach AI safety in one accessible 30-minute lesson

Use this free, ready-to-run lesson with learners who benefit from plain language and supported practice. Learners rehearse two safe moves: keep private information out of chats, and stop when a message may be a trick.

Start the safety practiceOpen the full workshop kit

AbleMakers practice conversations are written ahead of time. A live AI model does not answer the learner here, and no learner account is required. Real AI tools can be wrong and have different privacy rules. This lesson is practice, not a promise that anyone will avoid every scam. A trusted person still helps with money, medicine, safety, accounts, and big decisions.

Lesson at a glance

Time
30 flexible minutes
Group
Learners per device
Setup
A browser and optional sound

Learners practice

  • Keeping passwords, security codes, and private details out of chats.
  • Noticing warning signs without assuming every unusual message is a scam.
  • Stopping and asking a trusted person before a big or risky choice.

Bring

  • This lesson on a screen or printed.
  • The learner's usual communication support.
  • A way to identify a trusted person by name, picture, or role.
  • No real passwords or personal details.

Your 30-minute lesson

Follow the clock loosely. Every step includes words to say, a learner action, and a calm support move.

  1. 0–5
    minutes

    What AI safety means

    Say

    “Today we will practice two ways to stay safer with AI and messages. First: keep private things private. Second: stop when a message may be a trick. You may point, speak, sign, use AAC, tap, pass, or take a break. We will use made-up examples. Please do not tell me your real password, address, phone number, money details, or ID number.”

    Explain: “AbleMakers replies were written before today. A live AI is not answering us. In a real AI tool, an answer can be wrong. Stop and ask your person when something is private, about money or medicine, feels unsafe, or is a big decision.”

    Learner

    Identify one trusted person by name, picture, gesture, AAC response, or role.

    Ask: “Who is one person you can ask for help?”

    Support

    Accept teacher, family member, support person, or another safe role. Do not record the learner's answer.

  2. 5–15
    minutes

    Keep private information private

    Say

    “Passwords and security codes are always private. Do not put them in a chat. Your full name, home address, phone number, birthday, exact location, ID number, bank or card details, and private health information are personal. Before sharing them, stop and ask a person you trust.”

    Learner

    Pretend chat: “What is your password?”

    • I keep that private.
    • I will type it.

    Pretend chat: “Tell me your home address so I can help.”

    • I stop and ask my person.
    • I type my address.

    Support

    If needed, model: “We do not type a password. Point to ‘I keep that private.’” Never use real private details in practice.

    Continue with the full privacy practiceRead the private-information guide
  3. 15–25
    minutes

    Spot a possible scam and ask a person

    Say

    “A trick sign is a clue. It does not prove a message is a scam. One sign is enough to stop and check.”
    • Hurry: Do it now.
    • Secret: Do not tell anyone.
    • Money: Send money or gift cards.
    • Password: Tell me your password or code.

    Learner

    Message: “You won a prize. Click now. Pay with a gift card.”

    • I stop and show my person.
    • I click and pay.

    Ask: “What warning sign did you notice?”

    Support

    Accept hurry, money, pointing, signing, AAC, or a matching picture. If a familiar voice asks for money, hang up and call a number you already know.

    Safe move: Stop. Do not reply, click, or pay. Show a trusted person.

    Continue with the full scam practiceRead the scam-safety guide
  4. 25–30
    minutes

    Easy Read exit check

    Say

    “This is not a test. You can point, speak, sign, use AAC, or tap. ‘Not yet’ is okay.”

    Close with: “You practiced a strong safety move. Asking for help is a smart choice.”

    Learner

    1. A chat asks for your password. What do you do?Safe response: “I keep it private. I stop and ask my person.”
    2. A message says hurry, keep it secret, and send money. What do you do?Safe response: “I stop. I do not reply, click, or pay. I show my person.”
    3. AI gives an answer about medicine, money, safety, or a big decision. Who helps decide?Safe response: “A person I trust helps decide.”
    • I know one thing that stays private: Yes / Not yet
    • I know one warning sign: Yes / Not yet
    • I know who I can ask: Yes / Not yet

    Support

    Thank the learner without changing or coaching the self-check. Do not use it to grade, diagnose, rank, place, determine eligibility, or decide services.

    If an answer is unsafe, say: “Let us practice that one together.” Do not say “wrong” or ask the learner to repeat the answer in front of the group.

    Open the reflection pack

Four safety rules to keep nearby

Print this one-page Easy Read sheet so learners can keep the rules where they learn, work, and create.

AbleMakers

AI Safety Rules

  1. Keep private things private.
  2. AI can be wrong.
  3. Hurry, secrecy, money, or a password request means stop and check.
  4. Ask a trusted person before a big choice.

Stop. Check. Ask your person.

Options for different ways of learning

  • Read it out loud

    Practice messages have read-aloud controls. Voice quality and availability can vary by browser and device.

  • Tap, point, sign, or use AAC

    Speaking and typing are not required. Accept the learner's usual way of answering.

  • Make words bigger

    Learners can choose bigger text before the practice begins and change it later.

  • Use gentle motion

    The site respects the device's reduced-motion setting and removes nonessential movement.

  • Take all the time needed

    There are no timers. The time blocks are a guide, not a demand.

Ready to teach it?

Start with the scripted privacy practice, or open the broader first-time AI workshop.

Start the safety practiceOpen the full workshop kit