Trusted Grown-Ups

Here's one of the most important secrets about staying safe online: you don't have to figure it out alone. When something gives you a 🟡 yellow or 🔴 red feeling, a trusted grown-up is your best tool.

What is a trusted grown-up? Someone who helps you feel safe, not scared — a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a coach, a librarian, or another adult your family trusts. A good rule: pick two or three you could always go to.

You never get in trouble for asking. This is the big one. Even if you already clicked something, shared something, or talked to someone you shouldn't have — telling a grown-up is the brave thing, not the "bad" thing. Safe grown-ups are glad you asked. You're not in trouble for asking for help.

How to ask. You don't need perfect words. Try:

• "Something online gave me a weird feeling. Can you look with me?"
• "I think I clicked something I shouldn't have."
• "Someone I don't know is messaging me. What should I do?"

A big red flag. Anyone who says "don't tell your parents" or "keep this a secret from grown-ups" is waving the reddest flag there is. Safe people never ask a kid to hide things from their family. If you hear that, tell a grown-up right away — that's exactly who they need to know about.

Green, yellow, red.

• 🟢 Green: you feel fine — no need to ask, but you always can.
• 🟡 Yellow: you're unsure — asking is a smart move.
• 🔴 Red: something is scary or a secret is involved — tell a grown-up now.

Practice it. Try the Mission The Secret Nobody Should Keep and practice choosing to tell.

Remember: asking for help is a superpower, not a weakness. Know your trusted grown-ups before you need them. Be curious, not careless!