Bearings Conversation cue cards — keep talking, calmly and often

Conversation Cue Cards

Cut along the dashed lines · sheet 1 of 2

How to useUse your own words — these are a nudge, not a script to read out. Little and often beats one big talk.
The rule under all of itWhatever happened, telling you won't cost them their phone. That single promise is what keeps them talking.
WhenPick a calm moment — a car journey, a walk. Not mid-argument.
CARD 1

You can always come to me · all ages, first

OpenerIf anything online ever feels weird or out of control — even if you broke a rule to get there — come straight to me, and you won't be in trouble. Helping you matters way more than any rule.

The one red flagAny sign they're handling a problem alone because they're scared of your reaction.
Not"If anything happens I'll take your phone."
Say"Telling me won't cost you your phone."
CARD 2

The scam that targets teens · 13–18, esp. boys

OpenerThere's a scam aimed at people your age. Someone gets flirty fast, gets a nude, then threatens to share it unless you pay.

The rule to nameIf it ever happens: stop, don't pay, don't delete anything, block, and come to me. Never the victim's fault — it can be sorted.
Not"How could you be so naive?"
Say"These are built to fool adults too."
CARD 3

AI & fake images · 12–18

OpenerYou know AI can fake photos now — make a real person look nude when they never were. If that ever lands on you or a mate, it's not real and it's not your fault. Show me and we'll deal with it together.

The one red flagA "nude" being passed around that someone insists is real but the person says never happened.
Not"It shouldn't have got out there."
Say"Let's just sort what happens now."
CARD 4

AI chatbots & companions · 12–18

OpenerUsed any of the AI chatbot apps? They can feel like a friend because they remember stuff — but they can't actually care about you, and they get things confidently wrong. Great for ideas; not the place for anything that's really worrying you. That's what people are for.

The one red flagTurning to a bot — instead of a person — for the things that genuinely upset them.
Not"That's not a real friend, stop it."
Say"Does that sound right? How'd we check?"
CARD 5

Who's really on the other end · 11–14

OpenerOnline, people aren't always who they say — someone can seem 14 and not be. Has anyone you don't know in real life ever added or messaged you? What did you do?

The one red flagAnyone who wants to move the chat to a private or disappearing app.
Not"Why did you add a stranger?"
Say"What happened? Talk me through it."
CARD 6

Scams & money · 12–18

OpenerThere are convincing scams aimed at people your age — free V-Bucks, crypto 'flips', fake job DMs, 'your account's locked'. If something promises money or freebies for a click or a code, what's your gut say? Show me one — some are genuinely clever.

The rule to name (15–18)Never let anyone use your bank account for a fee — that's money-muling, a crime, and it's your name on it.
Not"You fell for that?"
Say"These fool adults too — show me."
Bearings · Conversation Cue Cards · Use your own words, calmly and often · UK English · Continued on sheet 2
Bearings Conversation cue cards — keep talking, calmly and often

Conversation Cue Cards

Cut along the dashed lines · sheet 2 of 2

CARD 7

Nudes — what they reckon · 13–16

OpenerCan I ask something a bit awkward — what kind of photos do you reckon are okay to send or post, and what isn't? I just want to know what you already think.

The one red flagPressure for a picture from anyone — even someone they like.
Not"Don't you dare ever send one."
Say"You can always blame me — 'my mum checks my phone'."
CARD 8

Phones at night & sleep · 11–16

OpenerCan we find a charging spot for phones that isn't your bed? Not a punishment — there's solid evidence screens in bed wreck sleep, and I'll do it too.

The one red flagThe phone living under the pillow — and tiredness that never quite lifts.
Not"Phone's confiscated at bedtime."
Say"Let's set a charging spot — me too."
CARD 9

Screen-time, together · 13–18

OpenerI don't want to be the screen-time police, so let's set the limits together. What do you think is fair — and what would actually help you put it down at night?

The frame to nameLimits are about safety and sleep, not control — say so out loud.
Not"That's it, two hours, end of."
Say"What feels fair to you? Let's agree it."
CARD 10

Group-chat drama · 11–16

OpenerGroup chats can get brutal. If one ever turns on you — or someone you know — show me, and I won't go storming in or take your phone. We'll figure out the smart move together.

The one red flagGoing quiet about a chat they used to talk about freely.
Not"They're just attention-seeking."
Say"Sounds like they were really struggling."
CARD 11

Everyone messes up · all ages

OpenerEveryone messes up online — posts something, sends something, clicks something. If it happens to you, my job isn't to lecture you, it's to help you sort it. Deal?

The one red flagA problem being hidden out of shame — the silence is the risk, not the mistake.
Not"We need to talk." (ominous)
Say(raise it sideways, mid-activity, low-key)
KEEP THIS ONE

The four that always work

  • Ask "what happened?" — never "why did you do that?"
  • Stay calm. Validate the feeling before anything else.
  • No blame, even about people on TV — they're watching how you'd react.
  • Lead with the promise: come to me, you won't be in trouble.
If something has happened, you're not alone.
Emergency or a child in danger — 999.
Report grooming / online abuse — CEOP.
Remove a nude image of an under-18 — Report Remove (Childline).
Advice any time — NSPCC 0808 800 5000 · Childline 0800 1111.
Bearings · Conversation Cue Cards · Built on CEOP/Thinkuknow, NSPCC & Internet Matters guidance · Print at 100% · Keep where you'll see them