The Upgrade from Ages 4–6

When you were younger, the rule was simple: if an app asks for something, pause and show a grown-up before tapping. That was exactly right for that age — and it still applies to the big important things.

Now you're 7, 8, or 9. You use devices more independently. You can read the words on a permission screen. You're ready for a more powerful version of the same skill.

⬆️ The ages 7-9 upgrade

Instead of "pause and show a grown-up" for everything, you can now use four steps: pause, read, ask yourself if it makes sense — and then ask an adult if you're unsure. For the big stuff, the rule is still the same. But now you can start to think for yourself on the smaller stuff too.

The Four Steps

When an app pops up and asks for something, do these four things — in order.

📋 Four Steps for App Permission Requests
1
Pause
Don't tap anything yet. Stop and look at the screen before you do anything.
Stop your finger before it moves.
2
Read
Read every word on the screen. What is the app asking for? What does it want access to?
"This app wants to know your location" — what does that mean?
3
Ask yourself: does this make sense?
Does it make sense for this app to ask for this? A game asking for your contacts? Odd. A map app asking for your location? That makes sense.
Would this app even work without this? Or does it just want to collect your information?
4
Ask an adult if you're unsure
If you're not sure whether to allow or deny — ask before you tap. It's never wrong to ask, and it's always quick.
"Can you look at this? I don't know if I should tap allow."

Two Kinds of Permission Requests

Not all permission requests are equal. Some are high-stakes — always check with a grown-up first. Others are lower-stakes — you can start to think about these yourself using the four steps.

🛑 Always ask a grown-up first
  • Your location (where you are, where you go)
  • Your contacts (your family and friends' info)
  • Your camera (can see what you see)
  • Your microphone (can hear what you say)
  • Your photos (access to your pictures)
✓ You can start to think through these yourself
  • Notifications (app wants to send you alerts)
  • Background app refresh (runs when you're not looking)
  • Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for the specific feature you want

When in doubt, always use Step 4: ask an adult before you tap. It takes 10 seconds and is never the wrong choice.

The Sorting Activity

Here are three app permission dialogs — the kind of pop-up windows you see on real phones and tablets. For each one, talk with your caregiver and decide:

✅ Makes sense for this app 🤔 Not sure — I'd ask 🚫 Seems wrong — I'd say no
Google Maps
"Google Maps" Would Like to Use Your Location
Your location will be used to show directions and find places near you.
Allow While Using App
Don't Allow
✅ Makes sense — a maps app needs your location to work.
Puzzle Game
"Puzzle Game" Would Like to Access Your Contacts
Puzzle Game wants to find friends who also play. This will access all contacts in your phone.
Allow
Don't Allow
🚫 Seems wrong — does a puzzle game really need your contacts? Ask an adult.
Weather App
"Weather App" Would Like to Send You Notifications
Receive daily weather forecasts and alerts.
Allow
Don't Allow
🤔 Not sure — notifications are lower stakes, but decide if you want alerts popping up.
💬 After you sort them, talk about these:
  • Which one was easiest to sort? Why?
  • The puzzle game wanted contacts — why might an app ask for something it doesn't really need?
  • Would you give the weather app notifications? Why or why not — it's genuinely a "your choice" question.

Talk About It Together

Use the four steps out loud together. There are no trick questions here.

Signs It's Working

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Caregiver Notes & Sources

What this activity builds

This module is the developmental upgrade of the Ages 4–6 Row 1r skill ("My device has eyes, ears, and a memory"). At ages 4–6, the appropriate response to any app permission was "pause and show a grown-up." At ages 7–9, children using devices semi-independently need a more nuanced framework — one that teaches decision-making, not just deference.

Framing shift: deference to growing agency

Vera (Privacy & Compliance) — The framing must shift from full deferral to growing agency: "I look at what the app is asking, then decide if it seems right, then ask an adult if I'm unsure" — not just "always show a grown-up." Full deferral is still correct for high-stakes requests (location, contacts, camera, microphone). For lower-stakes requests (notifications, Bluetooth for a specific feature), children at this age can begin practising independent evaluation. The skill is to know the difference.

The four-step developmental progression

Dr. Lena (Child Development) — The developmental shift from age 4-6 to 7-9 is precisely from "always show a grown-up" to "pause → read → ask yourself if it makes sense → ask an adult if unsure." Four concrete steps, not just a reflex. This teaches decision-making scaffolded by adult oversight — which is appropriate for children who are beginning to use devices semi-independently. The four steps must be explicit and concrete rather than summarised as "think before tapping" — the specificity of each step is what makes it transferable to new situations.

Printable permission dialog cards

Frank (Library & Frontline Practitioner) — The activity becomes concrete with real app permission dialog examples. The three printed cards in this module represent common permission types. For library programme facilitators: print the dialog cards section, cut out the three cards, and have children physically sort them into the three piles (Makes sense / Not sure / Seems wrong) as a group activity. The physical sorting makes it tactile and discussable. The "puzzle game wants contacts" card reliably generates strong discussion in group settings — use it as the anchor for the conversation.

Checking real devices together

The "Talk About It Together" question about checking a real app's permissions is valuable if you have time. On iPhone: Settings → [App Name] → view permissions. On Android: Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Permissions. Reviewing one or two real apps together is a high-transfer activity that reinforces everything in this module.

Sources