Warm-Up: Your Digital Trail

Instructions: Take a moment to think about your daily activities online. Jot down a few notes or draw small icons in the spaces below that represent what you do on the internet each day.

What apps do you use? What websites do you visit? What kinds of things do you share or look at?

Reflection Question:

Do you think anyone else can see or find the things you do online? Why or why not?

Digital Footprint Detectives Script

Introduction (Slide 1)

Teacher: Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to become detectives, but not just any kind of detectives. We're going to be 'Digital Footprint Detectives'! Take a look at our first slide, "Digital Footprint Detectives: Your Online Trail." What do you think that means?

(Wait for student responses. Guide them towards the idea of leaving marks or traces.)

Teacher: Exactly! Just like when you walk on sand or snow, you leave a physical footprint. The internet is a bit like that, but instead of physical marks, you leave something called a digital footprint. Let's kick things off with a warm-up. Please take out your Warm-Up: Your Digital Trail sheets.

(Allow students 3-4 minutes to complete the warm-up. Circulate and observe.)

Teacher: Great! Based on your reflections, what are some of the things you do online every day? And do you think anyone else can see or find those things?

(Facilitate a brief discussion, connecting their activities to the idea of a traceable online presence.)

What is a Digital Footprint? (Slide 2)

Teacher: Now that we've thought about our online actions, let's formally define what a digital footprint is. (Transition to Slide Deck: Digital Footprint Detectives Slide 2) As you can see, a digital footprint is the unique trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet. It's every click, every post, every picture, every comment, and every search. It's like your personal data shadow that follows you wherever you go online.

Teacher: Can anyone think of an example of something they did online recently that would become part of their digital footprint? Don't worry, you don't have to share anything too personal!

(Encourage a few students to share general examples, e.g., watching a YouTube video, sending a message, liking a post.)

Why Does it Matter? (Slide 3)

Teacher: So, why should we care about this digital trail? (Transition to Slide Deck: Digital Footprint Detectives Slide 3) Your digital footprint can impact many things in your life. It can affect future job opportunities, college applications, your friendships, your personal reputation, and even your safety online. Think about it: when you apply for something important, people often look you up online.

Teacher: We're going to delve deeper into this with a quick discussion using our Discussion Guide: Digital Choices. I want you to think about this question: "Imagine you are applying for your dream job or college. How might your social media posts or online comments impact their decision?"

(Facilitate a short discussion, prompting students to consider both positive and negative scenarios.)

Positive vs. Negative Footprints (Slide 4)

Teacher: Just like a physical footprint can be clear or messy, a digital footprint can be positive or negative. (Transition to Slide Deck: Digital Footprint Detectives Slide 4) A positive footprint shows you in a good light – sharing school projects, commenting kindly, creating helpful content. A negative footprint might include inappropriate posts, cyberbullying, or sharing too much personal information.

Teacher: What are some things you've seen online that would contribute to a positive digital footprint? And what about things that would contribute to a negative one?

(Encourage students to provide examples, guiding them toward appropriate and respectful responses.)

Be a Digital Footprint Manager! (Slide 5)

Teacher: The good news is, you're not just leaving footprints; you can manage them! (Transition to Slide Deck: Digital Footprint Detectives Slide 5) We have four key strategies: "Think Before You Post" (the Grandma Rule!), "Privacy Settings are Your Friends," "Be a Positive Contributor," and "Search Yourself!" Each of these is a powerful tool to shape your online story.

Teacher: Let's discuss the "Grandma Rule." What does it mean to "Think Before You Post" using the "Grandma Rule"?

(Discuss the implications of public sharing and how different audiences might perceive content.)

Digital Permanence: It Stays! (Slide 6)

Teacher: This is a super important concept: digital permanence. (Transition to [Slide Deck: Digital Footprint Detectives](#digital-footprint-slide-deck] Slide 6) Once something is online, it can be very difficult – almost impossible – to remove completely. Even if you delete it, someone else might have screenshotted it, shared it, or saved it. Your online actions are like permanent ink. That's why managing your footprint is so important.

Your Digital Legacy (Slide 7)

Teacher: You are the artist of your digital life. (Transition to Slide Deck: Digital Footprint Detectives Slide 7) What kind of digital masterpiece will you create? We want to help you build a positive online presence today.

Teacher: Now, let's put these ideas into action. I'm going to hand out the Worksheet: My Digital Action Plan. This worksheet will help you think about your own digital footprint and create a plan for managing it positively. You can start working on it individually, and we'll discuss some of your ideas at the end.

(Distribute the worksheet and allow students 10-12 minutes to work. Circulate and offer assistance.)

Conclusion & Cool-Down

Teacher: Alright everyone, let's bring it back together. We've learned a lot about our digital footprints today. To wrap things up, please complete the Cool-Down: Footprint Reflection.

(Allow students 3-4 minutes to complete the cool-down.)

Teacher: Excellent work today, Digital Footprint Detectives! Remember, every time you go online, you're leaving a trail. Make sure it's a trail you're proud of. Keep thinking about your digital actions, and remember to be a positive contributor to the online world. You've got this!

Discussion Guide: Digital Choices

Instructions: As a class or in small groups, discuss the following questions. Be respectful of each other's opinions and experiences.

Discussion Questions:

1. Imagine you are applying for your dream job or college. How might your social media posts or online comments (from today or years ago) impact their decision? Think about both positive and negative possibilities.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Can you think of a situation where something you or someone you know posted online had unexpected consequences (good or bad)? What happened?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What does it mean to be a "positive contributor" online? Give specific examples of how you can make a positive impact with your digital footprint.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. If you could give one piece of advice to a younger sibling or friend about their digital footprint, what would it be and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Worksheet: My Digital Action Plan

Instructions: Use what you've learned about digital footprints to create your own action plan for a positive online presence.

Part 1: My Current Digital Habits

1. List 2-3 online activities you do regularly (e.g., social media, gaming, watching videos, searching for information).

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2. For each activity, consider: What kind of information or content do you usually create or share during this activity? Is it public or private?

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Part 2: Shaping My Positive Digital Footprint

1. Think Before You Post (The "Grandma Rule"): Choose one online activity from Part 1. Describe a time you might pause before posting something, and what you would think about during that pause.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Privacy Settings: Name one app or platform you use where you will check or adjust your privacy settings this week. What setting do you plan to look for?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Positive Contributions: What is one way you can use your online presence to be a positive influence or share something good?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. My Digital Legacy Goal: In one sentence, describe the kind of digital footprint you want to leave behind. What do you want people to see or know about you online?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Searching Myself (Optional but Recommended!)

• If you are comfortable and have access, try searching your own name (or common variations) in a search engine. What did you find? How did it make you feel? (You don't need to write specific details, just reflect on the experience.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• What is one thing you learned or will do differently after this search?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Cool-Down: Footprint Reflection

Instructions: Take a few moments to reflect on today's lesson and answer the following questions.

1. In your own words, what is a "digital footprint"?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one new thing you learned today about managing your online presence?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What is one change you might make to your online habits after this lesson?