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Catfishing

In this lesson we will learn about Catfishing. We will look at what Catfishing is and how it can impact victims. We will also look at the reason someone may try and Catfish If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting the lesson.

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Catfishing

In this lesson we will learn about Catfishing. We will look at what Catfishing is and how it can impact victims. We will also look at the reason someone may try and Catfish If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting the lesson.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The definition of 'catfishing' (impersonating or highly exaggerating online identities)
  2. Why people 'catfish'
  3. When 'catfishing' becomes a problem - for impersonator and victim
  4. Identifying an online impersonator

Content guidance

  • Contains distressing content.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
How can you control the information on your social media feed?
Don't follow anybody.
Follow as many people as possible.
Correct answer: Review often the people on your social media channels.
Q2.
Which of the below best describes a social media influencer:
Someone who posts things to make you laugh.
Someone who posts things to try and get you to be their friend.
Correct answer: Someone who posts things to try and sell a good or service.
Q3.
Which of the below best describes Catfishing?
Where someone lies about their age.
Where someone makes a fictional account to target a cyber security firm.
Correct answer: Where someone makes a fictional account to target a specific victim.
Q4.
What could create alarm bells when looking for a Catfisher? (There may be multiple answers.)
Correct answer: Someone adding me I don't know.
Correct answer: Someone adding me of a different age.
Someone I know adding me.

Exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
People who Catfish are only after money
Correct answer: False
True
Q2.
Which of the following are reasons why someone would Catfish? (There may be multiple answers.)
Correct answer: To blackmail you.
To look at your pictures.
To see your funny memes.
Correct answer: To steal money.
Q3.
Which of the following could be an outcome for the victim? (There may be multiple answers.)
Correct answer: Embarrassment.
In trouble with the police.
Loss of friends.
Correct answer: Physical harm.
Q4.
Which one of the below is a sign of Catfishing?
Has the same likes as you.
Posts silly videos.
Correct answer: Vague about their past.
Q5.
How can you stop Catfishing? (There may be multiple answers.)
Correct answer: Do some research on the account and name.
Give them your personal information.
Post lots of pictures on social media.
Correct answer: Report the account.

Lesson appears in

UnitRSHE (PSHE) / Internet safety and harms: Online relationships and harmful behaviour

RSHE (PSHE)

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