Scam Simulator / For teachers

A 45-minute lesson on social media scams

Free, no sign-up, works on any device with a browser. Suitable from about age 12, and for adult groups, staff training and community sessions.

Learning goals

• Name the six tactics: impersonation, emotional manipulation, fake proof, fake engagement, urgency and private groups, and discrediting warnings.
• Spot each in a real-looking post.
• Know one action for each: check the handle, pause, verify the claim, look at the crowd, take your time, believe the official warning.

Plan

1. Warm-up (5 min). Ask: “Who has seen a post that turned out to be fake? How did you find out?”
2. Play (15 min). Everyone plays alone or in pairs, including the before-and-after ratings. Ask them to remember their “scam radar” score.
3. Discuss (15 min). Go through the six badges. For each one, ask the class for a real example they've seen, then read the “How to spot it” tips on the tactic pages.
4. Apply (5 min). Each student writes one rule they'll use next time they see a viral post or a money offer.
5. Take home (5 min). Ask students to set up a family safe word with their parents or grandparents, a simple defence against voice-clone calls.

Good to know

• All names, brands and people in the game are invented. It shows how to recognise tactics, not how to carry them out.
• No accounts, no cookies, and no student data are collected.
• For extra practice, use the online safety quiz for kids or the deepfake quiz.