By the end of this chapter you'll be able to…

  • 1List the benefits of the internet
  • 2Describe how to protect passwords and personal data
  • 3Explain the dangers of online predators
  • 4State the harms of mobile addiction
  • 5Answer comprehension questions on the text
💡
Why this chapter matters
Cyber Safety teaches students to use the internet wisely and protect their privacy, safety and health online — a crucial modern skill. Password safety, online predators and mobile addiction are directly tested book-back content in the TN Class 8 English exam.

Before you start — revise these

A 5-minute refresher here will save you 30 minutes of confusion below.

Cyber Safety — Class 8 English (Samacheer Kalvi)

TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 8 English, Prose 7. Staying safe in the online world.


1. About the lesson

Cyber Safety is an informative lesson on how to use the internet wisely and safely — enjoying its benefits while avoiding its dangers.

2. Summary

The internet is very useful: it helps us gather information and gain knowledge, saves time, improves our abilities and keeps us entertained and informed. But it must be used safely.

To stay cyber safe we should:

  • change our passwords frequently,
  • not post personal information, photos or vacation plans on social media (strangers may misuse them without our knowledge),
  • beware of online predators — people who exploit children over the internet, and
  • avoid mobile addiction, which causes headaches, weakened eyesight and sleep disorders.

3. Theme

The lesson teaches that the internet is a powerful tool that brings great benefits, but it must be used carefully and responsibly to protect our safety, privacy and health.

4. Glossary

WordMeaning
cyberrelating to computers and the internet
passworda secret word that protects an account
predatora person who harms or exploits others
misuseto use wrongly
addictionbeing unable to stop doing something

5. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)

A. Read and answer

  1. Name two benefits of the internet. — It helps us gather information and saves time (also entertains and informs us).
  2. How often should we change our passwords? — Frequently.
  3. What should we not post on social media? — Our personal information, photos and vacation plans.
  4. Who is an online predator? — A person who exploits a child over the internet.
  5. Name two problems caused by mobile addiction. — Headache and weakened eyesight (also sleep disorders).

B. Think and answer 6. Why should we not share personal details online? — Because strangers may misuse our information without our knowledge. 7. What is the main message of the lesson? — Use the internet wisely and safely to protect our privacy and health.

6. Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking the internet is only harmful. Fix: It is very useful — the lesson teaches safe use, not avoidance.
  • Mistake: Keeping the same password forever. Fix: Change passwords frequently.
  • Mistake: Sharing photos and plans freely online. Fix: Don't post personal information that strangers could misuse.

7. Quick revision

  • Prose 7 · Cyber Safety.
  • The internet helps us learn, saves time and entertains — but must be used safely.
  • Stay safe: change passwords often, don't post personal info/photos/plans, beware online predators.
  • Mobile addiction → headache, weak eyesight, sleep disorders.
  • Theme: the internet is powerful but must be used responsibly to protect safety, privacy and health.

Key formulas & results

Everything you need to memorise, in one card. Screenshot this for revision.

Benefits
information, knowledge, saves time, entertainment
The internet is useful.
Stay safe
change passwords often; don't post personal info/photos/plans
Strangers may misuse them.
Online predator
a person who exploits a child over the internet
Beware strangers.
Mobile addiction
headache, weak eyesight, sleep disorders
Use in moderation.
⚠️

Common mistakes & fixes

These are the exact errors that cost students marks in board exams. Read them once, save yourself the trouble.

WATCH OUT
Thinking the internet is only harmful
It is very useful — the lesson teaches safe use, not avoidance.
WATCH OUT
Keeping the same password forever
Change passwords frequently.
WATCH OUT
Sharing photos and plans freely online
Don't post personal information that strangers could misuse.

Practice problems

Try each one yourself before tapping "Show solution". Active recall > rereading.

Q1EASY· Comprehension
How often should we change our passwords?
Show solution
Frequently.
Q2EASY· Comprehension
What should we not post on social media?
Show solution
Our personal information, photos and vacation plans.
Q3EASY· Comprehension
Name two problems caused by mobile addiction.
Show solution
Headache and weakened eyesight (also sleep disorders).
Q4MEDIUM· Short Answer
Why should we not share personal details online?
Show solution
Because strangers may use our profile and misuse our information — including photos and plans — without our knowledge, which can put us in danger.
Q5MEDIUM· Value
What is the main message of Cyber Safety?
Show solution
That the internet is a powerful and useful tool, but it must be used wisely and responsibly to protect our safety, privacy and health.

5-minute revision

The whole chapter, distilled. Read this the night before the exam.

  • Prose 7 of Samacheer Kalvi Class 8 English.
  • The internet helps us learn, saves time and entertains, but must be used safely.
  • Stay cyber safe: change passwords often, don't post personal info, photos or plans.
  • Beware online predators — people who exploit children over the internet.
  • Mobile addiction causes headaches, weakened eyesight and sleep disorders.
  • Theme: the internet is powerful but must be used responsibly.

Tamil Nadu (TNBSE) marks blueprint

Where the marks come from in this chapter — so you can plan your prep.

Typical chapter weightage: 6-9 marks across comprehension, vocabulary and short answers

Question typeMarks eachTypical countWhat it tests
Comprehension1-23-5Benefits and safety measures
Vocabulary12-3Word meanings
Value / Short Answer21-2Responsible internet use
Prep strategy
  • List benefits and dangers separately
  • Remember the password and privacy rules
  • Note the harms of mobile addiction
  • Practise the book-back comprehension

Where this shows up in the real world

This chapter isn't just an exam topic — it lives in the world around you.

Digital safety

Protects students' privacy and security online.

Health

Reduces eye strain, headaches and sleep problems.

Responsible use

Encourages balanced, sensible use of technology.

Exam strategy

Battle-tested tips from teachers and toppers for this chapter.

  1. List both benefits and dangers of the internet
  2. Quote the password and privacy rules
  3. Define an online predator
  4. Name the harms of mobile addiction

Going beyond the textbook

For olympiad aspirants and curious learners — topics that build on this chapter.

  • Make a list of cyber-safety rules for your family.
  • Write a short paragraph on the good and bad sides of the internet.

Where else this chapter is tested

CBSE board isn't the only one — other exams test this chapter too.

TN Class 8 English ExamHigh
Digital Literacy / ICTMedium
School unit testsHigh

Questions students ask

The real ones — pulled from the Q&A community and tutor sessions.

Sharing that you will be away tells strangers your home may be empty and reveals your movements, which they could misuse — so such personal plans should be kept private.

By limiting screen time, taking regular breaks, doing offline activities and not using the phone late at night — this protects our eyes, sleep and health.
Verified by the tuition.in editorial team
Last reviewed on 3 June 2026. Written and reviewed by subject-matter experts — read about our process.
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