What is Be Internet Legends?

Be Internet Legends by Google, in partnership with Parent Zone, is an online safety and media literacy programme that helps children become safer, more confident explorers of the online world. It provides free teaching resources, live events and much more. For parents, it offers free downloadable activities to help them understand and support their child's online world.

Be Internet Legends launched in 2018 and has since reached over 10 million pupils.

And we know it works. Following Google training, children are twice as likely to show an improved understanding of internet safety as those who haven't received the training.*

*Data based on research commissioned by Google and run by Ipsos from April to July 2021 among 1,638 primary school pupils in Years 3–6 at 16 schools in the UK where Google has carried out Be Internet Legends online safety training. For more details, please visit assets.ipsos-mori.com/cx/beinternetawesome.

Who can use Be Internet Legends?

The programme is aimed at UK primary schools and school settings with children aged 7–11, but it can easily be adapted to suit older or younger year groups.

Are all the resources free?

Yes.

We're a private school, trust or special school. Can we use the programme?

Yes. Any UK school that teaches children aged 7–11 can download and request the resources for free.

Accessible and adaptable resources for children with SEND have also been developed. They focus on a lesson from the Be Internet Alert pillar, exploring scams and disinformation, and include a quiz and other activities that can be adapted for your pupils. Access the SEND resources [LINK: SEND resources page].

We're not a school. Can we download the programme?

The resources are designed for teachers of pupils aged 7–11, so they aren't suitable for other organisations. Explore the rest of the Parent Zone website for more information and resources.

The teaching resources

What do the Be Internet Legends teaching resources include?

The resources are a full scheme of work for pupils aged 7–11. They include:

• Five pillar activity packs – one per pillar, each with a pillar overview, vocabulary, step-by-step activities, and all the worksheets and handouts.
• 14 lesson plans – seven for ages 7–9 and seven for ages 9–11, each with timings, differentiation and extension ideas.
• 14 lesson presentations – fully prepared Google Slides for every lesson plan, with teacher notes. You can also share them in Google Classroom as a class assignment.

New to the programme? Our getting started guide [LINK: getting started page] walks you through everything.

How is the programme set up?

It is divided into five pillars: Sharp, Alert, Secure, Kind and Brave. Each pillar has a number of activities on its theme, and some activities also have a Media Literacy or Social and Emotional Literacy focus.

The 14 lesson plans combine activities from one or two pillars. They can be used across the school year to provide a sequence of lessons.

What does the programme teach pupils?

The programme helps pupils learn the skills and behaviours they need to be safe and confident online. It is built around five pillars:

• Think Before You Tap (Be Internet Sharp)
• Check it's For Real (Be Internet Alert) 
• Protect Your Stuff (Be Internet Secure)
• Respect Each Other (Be Internet Kind)
• When in Doubt, Discuss (Be Internet Brave) 

Do the activities have to be completed in order?

No. In general, the activities can be completed in any order. Where an activity needs a previous one to be completed first, there is a clear note in the activity pack and lesson plan.

The lesson plans are detailed to help with your planning, and each activity pack begins with a pillar overview so it's easy to find your way around.

How long does each activity take?

Most activities are mini lessons that take around 10–15 minutes to teach. The lesson plans are designed for lessons of around 45–60 minutes.

Where can I find the worksheets?

All worksheets and handouts are in the pillar activity packs, directly after the activity they belong to. The 'Lesson materials' list at the end of each lesson plan tells you exactly which ones to print.

Do I need special training or to be a particular kind of teacher to teach the programme?

No. Any teacher can teach the programme, and no extra training is required.

The activities are designed for fun, relaxed discussion between teacher and pupils, ideally with judgement-free active listening from the teacher.

Do I need an email address to use Be Internet Legends?

No, you don't need an email address to use the programme.

How can I access the Be Internet Legends resources?

You can download the full programme here. 

How long will it take to complete the programme with pupils?

This depends on how much time you can give to each lesson. With 14 lesson plans, lots of activities to choose from, an online game and plenty of discussion points, the programme can be delivered across the whole academic year.

Interland

What is Interland?

Interland is Google's free online game, which can be played in any web browser. Play Interland here.

Interland is a fantasy world where the Internauts live. It has four lands, each linked to a Be Internet Legends pillar and with its own game:

• Mindful Mountain – Be Internet Sharp
• Reality River – Be Internet Alert
• Tower of Treasure – Be Internet Secure
• Kind Kingdom – Be Internet Kind

How can I use Interland?

You can use Interland to support your online safety teaching. It goes hand in hand with the curriculum and is a great way to consolidate children's learning. Each Interland activity in the activity packs comes with discussion questions for after the game, and families can play it at home too.

Do pupils need to complete the lessons before playing Interland?

No, but it helps. The game works best when it reinforces what pupils have learned in the lessons – and it's more fun when they've had a chance to discuss the topics with you first.

How do children learn from the game?

The game reinforces the curriculum by letting children explore healthy online habits through play. They can see how online interactions work, and what their consequences can be, in a safe space.

Can pupils save their progress in Interland?

No, and that's not likely to change. Interland doesn't collect or store any personal information, including saved progress.

This is deliberate: we don't collect pupil data, and we want the game to be accessible to everyone, with no account, login or password needed.

What devices work with Interland?

Interland works on any device with an internet connection and a web browser, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets and mobile phones.

Live events

What are Be Internet Legends live events?

Be Internet Legends live events run throughout the school year and are delivered virtually, streamed live on YouTube. They bring the programme into your school as a shared, interactive moment, and work well to launch, reinforce or celebrate your teaching. Find out more and register for a live event.

Are live events free?

Yes. All you need to do is register for the dates you want.

Do we need parental permission?

It's up to you. If you'd like to get parental permission, you can use the permission slip provided during registration.

What if we can't make a specific date?

You can watch the live event back at a time that suits you, using the same links. Note that the interactive elements and shout-outs won't work if you're watching at a later time.

How can I join a live event?

You can register for as many live events as you like. Just complete the form on the live events page.

Why are there separate YouTube links in my confirmation email?

This means you can stream the live event to your pupils, join in the interactive YouTube chat using a separate staff link, and share a link with families at home.

Can pupils watch from anywhere, on any device?

Yes. The YouTube stream works on a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. You'll get separate links for pupils and staff.

Does each pupil need their own device?

Not if they're watching at school. Staff can show the streaming link to groups and manage the interaction from a separate device using the staff link. Pupils watching from home will need their own or a parent's device, and you can share the streaming link with them.

Will anyone be able to see or interact with pupils during a live event?

No. The streaming link you show or share with pupils has chat turned off. You and your colleagues can talk to our presenters and pass on pupils' questions and answers using the chat in the staff link. No one else can take part in the chat without the staff link, and the chat isn't visible to pupils.

Can we post about the live event on social media or our website?

Yes, please do – but use the streaming link, not the staff link. You can use the hashtag #BeInternetLegends.

Is there a limit to the number of teachers who can use the staff link?

No – the more the merrier.

How many children can take part?

Live events are designed to bring your school community together, so multiple classes can watch. It can help to have a teacher in each class taking answers and sending us messages, but that isn't essential.

General

Can I give you feedback about Be Internet Legends? 

Absolutely. Please email us at legends@parentzone.org.uk

We're always glad to hear from you.

Return to the Be Internet Legends page