Digital Footprint Detective Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Instructions: As a digital footprint detective, your mission is to investigate the traces we leave online and understand their impact. Answer the questions below thoughtfully.

Part 1: Your Digital Trail

1. What is a "digital footprint" in your own words? Provide an example of something that contributes to your digital footprint.
   
   
   
   

2. Distinguish between an active digital footprint and a passive digital footprint. Give an example of each from your own online activity (or activities you are familiar with).

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   • Passive:
     
     
     
     

3. List three different online platforms or activities where you leave a digital footprint.

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Part 2: Impact and Awareness

4. Imagine you are applying for a dream high school program or a first job. How might your digital footprint (good or bad) affect their decision?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Describe a situation where someone's online post or activity could negatively impact their reputation or future opportunities. What could they have done differently?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Have you ever "googled" yourself? What kind of information do you think might come up? How would you feel if a future employer or college admissions officer saw it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Building a Positive Online Brand

7. What does it mean to have a "positive digital brand"? Why is it important to actively work on building one?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. List three specific strategies you can use to create and maintain a positive digital footprint.

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9. Think of one piece of advice you would give to a younger student about managing their digital footprint.
   
   
   
   

Detective's Reflection:
What is one new thing you learned today about your digital footprint, and what is one change you might make to your online habits?

Positive Digital Footprint Project Guide

Project Title: My Awesome Online Brand

Objective: To empower you to actively shape and showcase a positive digital footprint that reflects your best self and aligns with your future aspirations.

Why is this important? Your online presence is a powerful tool. Colleges, scholarship committees, and future employers often look at what you post online. This project will help you ensure your digital footprint works for you, not against you.

Your Mission, Digital Designer!
You will create a plan or a piece of content that demonstrates your understanding of a positive digital footprint and how to maintain one. Choose ONE of the following options:

Option 1: Digital Brand Blueprint (Planning Focus)

Task: Create a detailed "Digital Brand Blueprint" document that outlines your current digital footprint, identifies areas for improvement, and proposes strategies for cultivating a positive online presence.

Deliverables:

1. "My Current Digital Snapshot" (1 page):
   • Briefly describe your current online activities (platforms used, types of content you engage with/post).
   • List 3-5 keywords or phrases that someone searching for you online might find or associate with you.
   • Identify 1-2 positive aspects of your current digital footprint.
   • Identify 1-2 areas you want to improve or clean up.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
2. "Positive Digital Brand Strategy" (1-2 pages):
   • Vision Statement: Write a short statement (1-2 sentences) describing the positive online brand you want to create for yourself.
   • Action Plan: Detail 3-5 specific, actionable steps you will take to achieve your vision. (e.g., adjust privacy settings, follow inspirational accounts, post about a hobby, remove old content).
   • Content Ideas: Brainstorm 3-5 ideas for positive content you could create or share online that aligns with your desired brand (e.g., school achievements, volunteer work, artistic creations, sports highlights, thoughtful opinions).
   • "Think Before You Post" Checklist: Create a small checklist (3-5 questions) you will ask yourself before posting anything online.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Option 2: Positive Content Showcase (Creation Focus)

Task: Create a piece of digital content that exemplifies a positive digital footprint. This could be something you would genuinely share online.

Deliverables:

1. The Digital Content (Choose ONE):
   • A short video (1-2 minutes): Explaining the importance of a positive digital footprint, demonstrating a skill/hobby, or showcasing a positive activity you're involved in.
   • A series of 3-5 social media posts: Designed for a platform of your choice (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, blog post) that highlights your positive qualities, interests, or achievements, and promotes a positive message. (You don't have to post them, just design them).
   • A personal "About Me" webpage/profile design: Focus on what you would want colleges or employers to see, highlighting your skills, interests, and accomplishments. (This can be a mock-up design, not a live website).
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
2. "My Content Reflection" (1 page):
   • Explain why you chose this type of content and platform.
   • Describe how this content contributes to a positive digital footprint.
   • Identify at least two strategies you used to ensure the content was positive and professional.
   • Discuss how this project has changed your perspective on sharing online.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Assessment Criteria: (How you will be graded)

• Clarity & Understanding: Does the project clearly demonstrate an understanding of digital footprints and their impact?
• Relevance: Is the content/plan relevant to building a positive online brand?
• Creativity & Effort: Is the project well-presented, thoughtful, and does it show genuine effort?
• Completeness: Are all required deliverables included and thoroughly addressed?

Due Date: _________________________

Good luck, Digital Detectives! Make your online presence shine!

Case Studies of Digital Disasters

Instructions: Read the following short case studies. As you read, think about the digital footprints left by the individuals and the consequences of their actions. Be prepared to discuss these cases with your group.

Case Study 1: The "Joking" Post

Scenario: Alex, an 8th grader, was frustrated with a school project. He posted on a private group chat with friends, "This project is so dumb. I hate this school, and this teacher is the worst!" A friend thought it was funny and screenshotted it, then anonymously posted it to a school-wide meme account. The post quickly spread, and within an hour, the teacher and principal saw it.

Digital Footprint Issue:

• Even "private" group chats can become public.
• Negative comments about school or staff can harm your reputation.
• Once something is online, it's hard to remove completely.

Consequences for Alex:

• He received a disciplinary warning from the school.
• He had to apologize to his teacher and the principal.
• His participation in a leadership club was put on hold.
• His parents were called.

Case Study 2: The "Epic Party" Photos

Scenario: Maria attended a high school party with some older friends and posted several photos of herself and others participating in underage activities on her public Instagram story. She thought it was just for her friends to see, but her profile was public. A few weeks later, she applied for a summer volunteer position at a local community center known for its youth programs. The center's coordinator did a quick online search as part of the application process.

Digital Footprint Issue:

• Public profiles mean anyone can see your content, even future employers or organizations.
• Content showing illegal or irresponsible behavior can be damaging.
• Deleting posts doesn't always remove them from the internet (screenshots, cached pages).

Consequences for Maria:

• Her application for the volunteer position was immediately rejected without an interview.
• Her parents were disappointed and discussed internet safety with her.
• She later struggled to get a reference from her counselor who had seen the posts.

Case Study 3: The Unprofessional Avatar

Scenario: David was a skilled online gamer and often used a gaming handle that included inappropriate language, along with an avatar that was a bit offensive. He only used this online identity for gaming. When he applied for a high school internship in game development, he listed his gaming achievements on his resume. The internship coordinator looked up his gaming handle to verify his claims and was shocked by the username and avatar.

Digital Footprint Issue:

• Online identities, even for "fun," can be linked back to your real-world identity.
• Unprofessional or offensive content can reflect poorly on your character.
• Different aspects of your digital life can merge and be seen by others.

Consequences for David:

• He was not considered for the internship, despite his impressive gaming skills.
• He realized his online gaming persona had negatively affected a real-world opportunity.
• He had to spend time trying to change his gaming handle and avatar, which was a complicated process.

Reflection Question for Discussion:
What common theme do you notice across these "digital disasters"? How could these individuals have managed their digital footprints more effectively?

Online Ethics Group Discussion

Instructions: In your groups, discuss the following questions based on the Case Studies of Digital Disasters reading and your understanding of digital footprints. Be ready to share your group's insights with the class.

Discussion Questions:

1. Analyze the Case Studies:

   • For each case (Alex, Maria, David), identify the specific online action that led to negative consequences.
   • What privacy settings or content choices could each person have made differently to prevent the "digital disaster"?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. The "Private" Myth:

   • The case of Alex highlights that even "private" group chats aren't always truly private. What does this teach us about sharing information online, even with friends?
   • How can you protect yourself when sharing information you intend to keep private?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

3. Long-Term Impact:

   • How far into the future do you think the digital footprints discussed in these case studies could impact Alex, Maria, and David?
   • Can a negative digital footprint ever truly disappear? Why or why not?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

4. Ethical Responsibility Online:

   • Do you think people have a responsibility to consider how their online actions might affect others (e.g., Alex's friend who shared the screenshot)?
   • What are some ethical guidelines you think everyone should follow when interacting online?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

5. Building Your Online Reputation:

   • Beyond avoiding negative content, what proactive steps can you take today to build a positive digital footprint that would impress colleges or future employers?
   • How can your online presence genuinely reflect your positive qualities and aspirations?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

6. "Google Yourself" Challenge:

   • As a group, discuss if you've ever "googled" yourselves or someone you know. What did you find?
   • Why is it a good practice to periodically search for your own name online?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Group Leader: (Assign one person to guide the discussion and ensure everyone participates.)
Note Taker: (Assign one person to jot down key points and ideas from the group's discussion.)

Be respectful, listen actively, and share your insights!