Digital Citizenship Activity Guide

This activity guide is designed to encourage students to work in small groups to think critically about digital citizenship. The following scenarios focus on privacy, empathy, and online etiquette. Each group should discuss the scenario, decide on the best course of action, and be prepared to share their reasoning with the class.

Guidelines for the Activity

1. Form Your Groups:

   • Divide into small groups of 3-4 students.
   • Ensure everyone participates by discussing each scenario in detail.

2. Read the Scenarios:

   • Each scenario highlights common situations encountered online.
   • Think about what the situation might look like in real life.

3. Discussion Prompts:

   • What are the key issues in this scenario?
   • How does privacy, empathy, or online etiquette come into play?
   • What are the potential outcomes if the right or wrong choice is made?
   • What would you do in this situation and why?

4. Share and Reflect:

   • After discussing, each group will share their solutions and reasoning with the class.
   • Be respectful of different ideas and listen carefully to other opinions.

Scenarios

Scenario 1: Protecting Personal Information

Situation: Jamie receives a friend request from someone they don't know. The request includes a message asking for Jamie's phone number and address.

• Questions for Discussion:
  • Why might it be dangerous to share personal contact information with a stranger online?
  • What steps should Jamie take in response to this request?
  • How can Jamie verify if the friend request is legitimate?

Scenario 2: Empathy in Digital Communication

Situation: Alex sees a comment on a classmate's social media post that is hurtful and mean.

• Questions for Discussion:
  • Why is it important to show empathy when interacting online?
  • How should Alex respond to the hurtful comment?
  • What advice could Alex give to the classmate who is being targeted?

Scenario 3: Respecting Online Etiquette

Situation: A group chat at school is discussing a project, but one student keeps making jokes that are insensitive to others.

• Questions for Discussion:
  • How might these jokes affect the feelings of others in the group?
  • What is the respectful way to address this behavior?
  • How can the group maintain positive communication while also addressing the issue?

Follow-Up Points

• Role-Playing Activity: If time allows, choose one scenario for a role-playing activity. One group can act out the scenario while another group suggests advice or different approaches.

• Commitment to Change: Ask each student to write down one safe online habit they plan to adopt based on today's discussion.

• Q&A Session: Conclude the activity with a Q&A session where students can ask about digital citizenship and clarify any doubts.

This activity guide will help ensure that lessons on digital citizenship translate into positive behavior online. By carefully considering each scenario, you'll be better prepared to navigate challenges in the digital world.