Topic outline

  • Welcome

  • Introduction to Unit 15

    • Why this Unit?

      Internet Safety, Cybersecurity and Digital Citizenship is a critical Unit designed to prepare you for responsible and secure participation in an increasingly connected educational environment. In today’s classrooms, where digital tools are integral to teaching and learning, understanding how to navigate online spaces safely is essential. In this Unit, you will explore key concepts of internet safety, examine cybercrime and legal frameworks in Tanzania, and evaluate strategies that protect you and your learners online. This Unit is important because it equips you with the competencies needed to safeguard digital interactions and uphold ethical standards in technology use. By completing it, you will be able to promote safe, responsible, and informed digital citizenship within your professional practice.

      Unit Competencies

      By the end of this Unit, you should be able to: 

      1. Describe the concept of Internet Safety and Cybercrime
      2. Analyse Legal Framework on Cybercrime in Tanzania
      3. Evaluate Strategies to ensure Online Safety
      4. Promote Digital Citizenship in Education

      Recommended Time: 2 hours


  • Lesson 1: Internet Safety and Cybercrime

    • Introduction

      As Tanzanian schools increase their use of digital tools, it is essential for both teachers and students to understand internet safety and the basics of cybercrime. Internet safety involves practising responsible and cautious behaviour online, such as protecting personal information, using strong passwords, avoiding harmful websites, and being respectful in digital communication. Cybercrime refers to illegal activities carried out using computers or the internet, including identity theft, online scams, hacking, and the spread of harmful or abusive content. Teachers play a key role in modelling safe online behaviour and guiding students to recognise risks—such as suspicious links, fake profiles, or cyberbullying—so they can use technology confidently and responsibly. By promoting awareness and safe digital habits, schools help create a secure learning environment and protect both learners and staff from potential online threats.

      Lesson outcomes

      By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

      1. Explain key concepts of internet safety, cybersecurity, and digital citizenship.
      2. Identify and prevent common online threats (e.g., phishing, malware, identity theft, cyberbullying)
      What is internet safety?

      Internet safety is the act of securing your private information and property on the internet to ensure that it is protected from criminals. Since your computer and other devices including mobile devices are continuously connected to the internet, reasonable security measures should be in place to safeguard from accidental and/or malicious activities of criminals.

      Read Resource 1 to get a wider understanding of Internet Safety.

    • Common forms of Cybercrime

      With more people depending on the internet for various social-economic activities such as communication, banking, shopping, and education, cybercrime has become a major threat to personal privacy, financial security, and safety. Read Resource 2 to learn more and summarize into a paragraph.

    • Try this short quiz to test your understanding

  • Lesson 2: Legal Framework on Cybercrime in Tanzania

    • Introduction

      Teachers and students should also be familiar with the legal framework on cybercrime in Tanzania, which outlines the responsibilities and protections for all citizens using digital technologies. The Cybercrimes Act of 2015 is the country’s main law addressing offences such as online fraud, identity theft, data misuse, child exploitation, cyberbullying, and the unauthorised access or destruction of digital information. The Act gives authorities the power to investigate and prosecute individuals who misuse ICT tools, and it emphasises the importance of safeguarding personal data and digital systems. For schools, this means promoting lawful and ethical use of technology, teaching learners about their rights and responsibilities online, and ensuring that staff understand the consequences of improper digital behaviour. Building awareness of this legal framework helps create a safer digital environment and encourages responsible ICT use throughout the school community.

      Lesson outcomes

      By the end of this lesson learners should be able to:

      1. Explain the key provisions of Tanzanian laws related to cybercrime in Education
      2. Demonstrate responsible digital practices according to the national laws and Cybercrime Act (2015)

    • What is the legal position here in Tanzania in terms of cybercrime and your protection? We have many policies relating to cybercrime. Read Resource 3 to learn more. 


    • How much of that did you retain? Let us try a short test to see what you understand. Try the quiz below.


  • Lesson 3: Strategies to Ensure Online Safety

    • Introduction

      To ensure safe and responsible use of digital tools in schools, teachers and students need practical strategies for online safety that they can apply every day. These include using strong and unique passwords, keeping devices and software updated, and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading files. Students should be taught to protect their personal information, avoid sharing passwords, and report any suspicious or harmful online behaviour to a trusted adult. Schools can also establish clear digital use policies, promote respectful online communication, and use filtering or monitoring tools where appropriate. By combining good habits, awareness, and supportive school policies, teachers can create an online environment where learners explore and work confidently while minimising risks.

      Lesson outcomes

      By the end of this lesson learners should be able to:

      1. Demonstrate the ability to protect personal accounts and data by creating strong passwords, using two-factor authentication, and managing privacy settings.
      2. Develop responsible online behavior, including how to avoid cyberbullying, safeguard digital identity, and report harmful activities.

      Instructions

      Go through Resources 5, 6 and 7 to learn more on how you can practise and ensure online safety.

    • You are now aware of Internet Security and Cybercrime. Now it’s time to apply your knowledge to real-life by responding to the following scenario. You are a teacher in a Tanzanian secondary school that has recently introduced digital learning using school tablets and access to online platforms. Read the following scenario carefully, then post your response in the forum. After posting, read at least two other teachers’ posts and reply with constructive feedback or alternative suggestions.

      Access the forum below. 

  • Lesson 4: Promoting Digital Citizenship in Education

    • Introduction

      Digital citizenship refers to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that enable people to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically. For educators in Tanzania, promoting digital citizenship is an essential part of preparing students for learning and life in an increasingly digital world. This includes teaching learners how to communicate respectfully online, evaluate information critically, protect their privacy, and understand the consequences of their digital actions. Educators themselves must model positive online behaviour and integrate discussions about digital rights and responsibilities into everyday lessons. By fostering strong digital citizenship, teachers help students become confident, thoughtful, and ethical participants in both their local communities and the wider digital society.

      Lesson outcomes

      By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
      1. Explain the meaning of Digital Citizenship in Education
      2. Analyse impact of Digital Citizenship in Education 
      3. Promote Digital Citizenship in Education 

      Instructions

      Read Resource 8 to get a deeper understanding of digital citizenship.

    • The document (Resource 9) and video (Resource 10) describe the concept of Digital Citizenship. Read, and watch, carefully and respond to the questions that follow.

    • Attempt Quiz 3 to understand how to promote digital citizenship in education.

  • Unit Discussion

    • Now that you have completed the training on online safety, cybersecurity, and digital citizenship, it’s time to reflect on how these principles can be applied in your specific school environment.

      Every school has its own challenges — differences in access to technology, student digital skills, internet connectivity, and school culture. This discussion will help you share practical strategies for embedding what you have learned into your daily teaching and school practices.

      Access the forum below.

    • Unit 15 Discussion Forum
      Make forum posts: 1

  • Unit Assessment

    • After completing all the unit activities it's time to test your understanding. Take the short unit test below.

  • Summary and Conclussion

    • Internet safety is about protecting personal data, devices, and digital identity from online threats such as hacking, phishing, identity theft, malware, and cyberbullying — all of which are forms of cybercrime. In Tanzania, the Cybercrimes Act (2015) provides the legal basis for addressing these offences, with penalties including fines and imprisonment to ensure accountability and justice. Understanding these laws helps schools, teachers, and students comply with legal expectations and reduce risk.

      Safe online behaviour requires practical actions such as using strong passwords, updating software, enabling privacy settings, avoiding suspicious links, and educating others about digital risks. Promoting digital citizenship — responsible, ethical, and informed use of technology — is essential, and teachers have a key role in modelling and teaching it. By combining legal awareness, online safety strategies, and responsible digital behaviour, schools can create safer digital environments for teaching and learning.

  • Attribution, References and Licence