Lower secondary digital resources
Teacher notes: Years 7 – 8
Advertising
advice and guidance and locating information on how
to get help from your mobile phone provider or
Consumer rights
Entertainment
Premium services
Security
Social media
Overview
MoneySmart Teaching is an initiative of the
Australian Securities and Investments
Commission (ASIC) to build the consumer and
financial literacy knowledge, skills, values and
behaviours of young Australians.
This set of digital activities for primary students
supports the development of consumer and
financial literacy skills in relation to responsible
mobile phone use.
Teaching students consumer and financial
literacy from an early age is a great way to set
up good foundations for the future.
Getting started
This set of digital activities is for Year 7 – 8 students.
Each activity is available for download at the
MoneySmart Teaching Resource Centre. The
activities can be used in a variety of pedagogical
settings and are suited to a range of groupings.
The learning design features branching scenarios
which provide opportunities for students to role play
within a scenario, make decisions on mobile phone
use and then see the consequences of their actions.
Through the use of status meters students are
encouraged to reflect on their mobile phone use and
the views of a peer group within the activity, then think
about how their parents would react to the decisions
they made within the scenario.
Positive behaviors are reinforced with the visual help
of these data meters throughout the scenarios with
references to checking with parents or other adults for
other agencies. On completion students can repeat
the activity making different decisions to change the
way they use the mobile phone and improve the
overall outcome of the scenario. Some scenarios
feature an interactive slider which allows them to
experiment with mobile phone usage to see the
consequences on their plan.
Activity duration is approximately 15 minutes each,
although this may vary depending on whether
students are undertaking them with an adult or as a
self guided activity. This set of activities can be used
on a computer or iPad.
The activities have been designed to be used in any of
three ways:
as part of the MoneySmart Teaching Primary and
Secondary professional learning packages’ units of
work,
as standalone activities for use in the classroom, or
as a tool for engaging parents/carers in their child’s
learning at home.
Besides these Teacher notes the front page of each
activity provides links to:
Parent notes
Curriculum mapping
National Consumer and Financial Literacy
Framework mapping
End user specifications
Contact details
Copyright information
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
1
Teacher notes: Years 7 – 8
Links to additional MoneySmart Teaching
resources
your decision and at other times they will disagree
with it.
MoneySmart Teaching Secondary package:
Decisions you make will affect your mobile phone's
data usage. Look for the summaries of data usage
as you work through the scenario.
The package for Years 7 – 10 can be found on the
MoneySmart Teaching website at MoneySmart
Teaching Packages. The Year 7 Mathematics unit
'How can we reduce our spending' contains activities
on mobile phones.
MoneySmart Teaching mobile phone digital
activities for Years 5 – 6:
Calls, messaging and browsing
Choosing a plan
Mobile credit
Mobile phone advertising
You will have the chance to reflect on your
decisions using the 'rate yourself' meter. At the end
of the activity once you have received a final
account of how you went in the scenario, you will
be able to use the parent status meter to reflect on
how your parents might feel about the choices
you've made.
During the scenario there will be some advice from
other people such as parents or teachers.
Remember to read through this advice because
this contains important information. There is also a
summary at the end so you can find out more
about the things covered in a scenario.
Security
Go to the MoneySmart Teaching Resource Centre
Other resources
Visit MoneySmart Teaching where you will find
additional resources from ASIC and a range of
organisations, including units of work, videos, games
and more.
Preparation and delivery
The activities have been designed for flexible
classroom delivery so that teachers and students can
use them in a range of ways to suit different teaching
and learning needs. They can be used individually or
as a suite of activities and can be used to complement
existing units of work.
When instructing students on how to approach the
activities it is suggested that you include the following
advice:
In the activity you will play the role of a person
within a scenario or story. You will be making
decisions for that person based on what you think
you would do with your mobile phone in that
situation.
Each time you make a decision about using the
mobile phone you will see how your 'friends' react
in the scenario by checking the 'friend status'
meter. Sometimes these friends will be happy with
Ideas for delivery
The activities can be undertaken by students working
through the scenarios solo, in small groups, or as a
whole class making decisions together.
Some activities feature an account of data usage at
the end. Ask students to note their data usage at the
end of the activity and compare their results with other
students in the class. Encourage students with high
data usage to try the activity again once they have
been debriefed on how to minimise data use.
When students have worked through the activity
discuss issues that have arisen through the scenario
such as the importance of mobile phone security, the
risks of in-app purchasing, or the potential
consequences of entering competitions.
Agree on some key take away messages or learnings
with the class. For younger students it is suggested
these should include the following:
Pre-paid mobile plans ensure that you don't spend
too much money on your phone;
If you have a problem or if you are unsure what to
do, ask a parent or another adult;
The mobile phone service provider should be
contacted by parents/other adults to seek advice
on problems;
If the mobile service provider is not able to resolve
a problem there are agencies which can help.
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
2
Teacher notes: Years 7 – 8
Enduring understandings and deeper
learnings
The five activities cover the following concepts in
relation to mobile phones:
Informed responsible choices around mobile plans
and use can save you money AND/OR pre-paid
mobile plans can save you money.
You can access help from parents, providers or
other agencies when mobile issues arise.
Data usage and spending is the responsibility of
the user and can be expensive.
Scams, spam and cyberbullying can be avoided
through secure and safe usage.
If you have problems with your mobile phone or
service, you are protected by your consumer rights.
Activity topics
PLEASE NOTE: All activities are simulated within the
scenarios. There is no direction or requirement to
subscribe to real apps or services, make calls on a
mobile phone, or send SMS messages.
Key learning areas: English, Mathematics
Advertising
The scenario in this activity provides students with
options to subscribe to apps 'FriendSpy' and
'WhereRU' and to enter a 'CruzeShoes' competition. If
students decide to subscribe, their 'personal data' is
given to advertisers who send spam SMS. The activity
demonstrates that giving away personal data such as
your images, location and contact details is an
invitation to advertisers who use various techniques to
influence purchasing including sending spam SMS.
Student learnings
Through this activity students will be able to:
identify how advertisers seek to influence
consumer decisions;
recognise and avoid spam and scams;
practice safe and responsible behaviours in using a
mobile phone;
Consumer rights
This scenario explores the consumer guarantees that
protect consumers when purchasing products. In the
scenario, students will make decisions about the
purchase of a mobile phone – such as colour, plan
type and tailoring phone capabilities to their needs.
Students will then be prompted to decide what options
they have for redress in situations where the mobile
phone they have purchased was the wrong colour out
of the box or isn’t able to be used in the way they told
the seller they wanted to use it.
Student learnings
Through this activity students will learn to:
recognise and understand what their consumer
rights are
apply their consumer rights when they have
problems with goods and services
identify how they want to use a product and the
importance of discussing this with the seller
understand in what situations they have a right to a
repair, replacement or refund and when they do not
find and access advice and support (through their
parents/adults) from the store if they have an issue
with a mobile phone;
understand which agencies to contact if there are
issues
Entertainment
In this scenario students have a mobile phone plan of
$29 with no data included. They are given the
opportunity to access a number of entertainment
options including watching a video, installing and
playing the 'Wackyville game' and making in-app
purchases. These options, and when and where they
choose to access them, have an impact on their
mobile phone charges.
Student learnings
Through this activity students will be able to:
identify offers that are ‘too good to be true’;
recognise that a mobile plan will have limits for
calls, text and data;
find and access advice and support (through their
parents/adults) from their mobile service provider if
they have an issue with a mobile phone;
identify where and how to access entertainment
options to minimise data usage;
understand which agencies to contact if there are
issues.
recognise that in-app purchases can cost real
money;
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
3
Teacher notes: Years 7 – 8
practice responsible behaviours in using a mobile
phone;
find and access advice and support (through their
parents/adults) from their mobile service provider if
they have an issue with a mobile phone;
understand which agencies to contact if there are
issues.
Premium services
In this scenario students find out that nothing is really
free, and if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!
They have the choice to vote in 'Top Voice' for their
favourite act via SMS to receive free ringtones and
wall papers. After entering their mobile phone number
for the chance to 'win heaps of free prizes' they
receive a lot of spam messages. The scenario also
explores what a premium service is and how to
subscribe and unsubscribe from one.
Student learnings
Through this activity students will be able to:
practice safe and responsible behaviours when
using a mobile phone;
Student learnings
Through this activity students will be able to:
recognise and avoid spam and scams;
secure a mobile and reflect on the potential
consequences of an unsecured mobile;
practice safe and responsible behaviours in using a
mobile phone;
find and access advice and support (through their
parents/adults) from their mobile service provider if
they have an issue with a mobile phone;
understand which agencies to contact if there are
issues.
Social media
This scenario involves making decisions about a
range of activities on a mobile phone including
managing social networking features and sharing
videos and photos. In this scenario students are on a
$29 pre-paid plan and can run out of credit or even
incur extra data charges.
Student learnings
Through this activity students will be able to:
recognise that providing personal data online may
have consequences such as receiving a lot of
spam;
identify that use of social media will have an impact
on their data use and credit;
define a premium service and demonstrate how to
subscribe and unsubscribe to one;
understand that there may be savings in accessing
Wi – Fi instead of using their mobile phone plan
data;
find and access advice and support (through their
parents/adults) from their mobile service provider if
they have an issue with a mobile phone;
practice responsible behaviours in using a mobile
phone;
understand which agencies to contact if there are
issues.
find and access advice and support (through their
parents/adults) from their mobile service provider if
they have an issue with a mobile phone;
Security
Different security issues are explored in this scenario
including giving away personal data by entering a
competition, subscribing to a 'dodgy app' that steals
data, and leaving a mobile phone unattended in a
public place. Students are provided with opportunities
to respond to each security issue and see the potential
consequences of their decisions such as extra mobile
charges, theft from a bank account and cyberbullying.
understand which agencies to contact if there are
issues.
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
4
Teacher notes: Years 7 – 8
Where to go for help
21st Century Skills
The following table is available at the end of this
document as a separate printable handout for easy
reference.
Issue
First point of
contact
Still need help?
Cyberbullying
Parents/scho
ol
Kids Helpline
www.kidshelp.com.a
u
1800 55 1800
Mobile handset
problem
Mobile
service
provider
(Where the handset
is supplied as part of
a contract)
Life for children in the 21st Century is much more
complex than it was for children of any other age, and
it is getting more complex. Today’s children need four
generic skills to enable them to grow into mature, well
functioning adults. These are:
Ways of thinking: Creativity, critical thinking,
problem-solving, decision-making and learning
Ways of working: Communication and
collaboration.
Tools for working: Information and communications
technology (ICT) and information literacy.
Skills for living in the world: Citizenship, life and
career and personal and social responsibility.
TIO:
1800 062 058 or
through their website
at www.tio.com.au.
These skills are embedded within the five activities
which have been designed to support the
development of consumer and financial literacy skills
in secondary school.
(Where the handset
is bought outright by
the consumer)
Read more at atc21s.org/index.php/about/what-are21st-century-skills/
Fair Trading or
Consumer Affairs in
the consumer's
state.
Additional MoneySmart Teaching
resources
Phone plan
issue
Mobile
service
provider
TIO
Post-paid
account billing
or pre-paid
account issues
Mobile
service
provider
TIO
Premium
services
Premium
service
provider
TIO
Theft – bank
account
Banking provider
Theft – mobile
hand set
Mobile
service
provider
Local Police
Service
problem
Mobile
service
provider
TIO
Scams
ACCC via the ScamWatch website at
www.scamwatch.gov.au or 1300 795
995.
Spam
ACMA Spam SMS service 0429 999
888 (standard rates charged by your
mobile provider will apply)
For teaching:
Go through the teaching resources at
teaching.moneysmart.gov.au/resource-centre
Visit teaching.moneysmart.gov.au to view expert
videos and read more about ASIC’s MoneySmart
Teaching initiative.
Contact the MoneySmart Teaching team at:
moneysmartteaching@asic.gov.au
For your personal money management:
Go to teaching.moneysmart.gov.au/professionallearning/financial-health-for-teachers and subscribe
to ASIC’s personal learning program for teachers,
‘Financial Health for Teachers’, or email your
request to subscribe to
moneysmartteaching@asic.gov.au.
Visit the MoneySmart website for consumers at
www.moneysmart.gov.au. It has calculators, tools
and tips to help you make the most of your money.
To find out more about mobile phones visit:
www.moneysmart.gov.au
www.acma.gov.au
www.lawstuff.org.au
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
5
Teacher notes: Years 7 – 8
Acknowledgements
Australian Competitions and Consumer
Commission (ACCC) promotes competition and fair
trade in markets to benefit consumers, businesses,
and the community. We also regulate national
infrastructure services. Our primary responsibility is to
ensure that individuals and businesses comply with
Australian competition, fair trading, and consumer
protection laws - in particular the Competition and
Consumer Act 2010.
www.accc.gov.au
Australian Mobile Telecommunications
Association (AMTA) is the peak industry body
representing Australia’s mobile telecommunications
industry. AMTA members include mobile Carriage
Service Providers (CSPs), handset manufacturers,
retail outlets, network equipment suppliers and other
suppliers to the industry.
Cybersmart is a national cybersafety and
cybersecurity education program managed by the
Australian Communications and Media Authority
(ACMA) as part of the Australian
Government's commitment to cybersafety. The
program is specifically designed to meet the needs of
its target audiences of children, young people,
parents, teachers and library staff.
www.cybersmart.gov.au
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is a
free and independent agency that provides assistance
to consumers and small businesses who have not
been able to resolve a problem with their landline,
mobile or internet service provider.
ASIC’s MoneySmart Teaching initiative builds the
consumer and financial literacy capabilities of
Australian school students by developing students’
knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to enable
them to make confident, informed consumer choices
and responsible financial decisions that are essential
to their future financial wellbeing. To view the
MoneySmart Teaching Primary and Secondary
packages and all the online and digital resources visit
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
6
Getting help with your mobile phone issues
Issue
First point of contact
Still need help?
Cyberbullying
Parents/school
Kids Helpline
www.kidshelp.com.au
1800 55 1800
Mobile handset problem
Mobile service provider
Where the handset is supplied as part
of a contract go to
Telecommunications Industry
Ombudsman (TIO)
1800 062 058 or through their website
at www.tio.com.au.
Where the handset is bought outright
by the consumer go to Fair Trading or
Consumer Affairs in the consumer’s
state.
Phone plan issue
Mobile service provider
Telecommunications Industry
Ombudsman (TIO)
Post-paid account billing
or pre-paid account issues
Mobile service provider
Telecommunications Industry
Ombudsman (TIO)
Premium services
Premium service provider
Telecommunications Industry
Ombudsman (TIO)
Theft – bank account
Banking provider
Mobile service provider
Theft – mobile hand set
Mobile service provider
Local Police
Service problem
Mobile service provider
Telecommunications Industry
Ombudsman (TIO)
Scams
ACCC via the ScamWatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au
or 1300 795 995.
Spam
ACMA Spam SMS service 0429 999 888
(standard rates charged by your mobile provider will apply)
Note: State and territory consumer protection agencies can provide you with information and advice about your
rights and options.
www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au
7