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Digital Footprint Detectives

Lesson Plan

Digital Footprint Detectives

Students will investigate how their online actions create a lasting digital footprint and develop strategies to maintain a positive online reputation through scenario analysis and reflection activities.

Understanding digital footprints fosters responsible digital citizenship by teaching students to think critically about sharing online, protecting their privacy, and building a positive reputation for future opportunities.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios and guided discussion.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Activate prior knowledge by asking students what they think a digital footprint is
  • Define "digital footprint" and explain its components
  • Show a short example from the Digital Footprint Presentation Slides

Step 2

Explore Digital Footprints

10 minutes

Step 3

Scenario Detective Activity

15 minutes

Step 4

Group Share and Reflection

10 minutes

  • Invite pairs to share one scenario and their findings
  • Facilitate discussion on best practices and lessons learned
  • Encourage students to ask questions and provide feedback

Step 5

Conclusion and Exit Ticket

5 minutes

  • Recap key takeaways: think before posting, adjust privacy settings, and share positively
  • Distribute an exit ticket asking for one action they will take to improve their digital footprint
  • Collect exit tickets as students leave
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Digital Footprint Detectives!

Today we’ll explore:
• What a digital footprint is
• How our online actions leave traces
• Ways to build a positive online reputation

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce yourself as the “Digital Footprint Detective” guide. Briefly explain today’s goal: uncover what a digital footprint is and how to keep it positive.

What Is a Digital Footprint?

Your digital footprint is the trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet.
• Posts, comments, likes
• Photos and videos
• Browsing history and location data

Ask students: 'Have you ever thought about who sees what you post online?' Use this to activate prior knowledge.

Active vs. Passive Footprints

Active Footprint:
• Social media posts
• Comments & messages

Passive Footprint:
• Sites you visit
• Data collected by apps

Explain the difference between active and passive footprints with real‐world analogies (e.g., footprints in the sand vs. camera watching you).

Why Your Footprint Matters

• Employers and colleges can see it
• It shapes others’ first impressions
• Impacts your privacy and safety

Highlight why footprints matter now and later. Relate to college admissions or job applications in an age‐appropriate way.

Scenario 1: A Positive Post

Alex shares photos of helping at a community clean-up.
• What positive messages does this send?
• How might this help Alex’s reputation?

Read the scenario aloud. Ask: “What makes this post a positive example?”

Scenario 2: A Hurtful Comment

Jamie posts a mean joke about a classmate on social media.
• What footprint does this leave?
• What could happen next?

Discuss real consequences: cyberbullying, blocked accounts, etc. Ask: “How might Jamie feel later?”

Strategies for a Positive Footprint

  1. Think Before You Post
  2. Use Privacy Settings
  3. Share Helpful or Kind Content
  4. Ask Permission Before Tagging

Walk through each strategy and invite students to share their own ideas.

Scenario Detective Activity

• Pair up and pick scenario cards
• Fill out the worksheet:
– Identify risks & benefits
– Suggest positive actions

Let’s become footprint detectives!

Explain the hands-on activity. Show worksheet example if needed.

Discussion Questions

  1. How can you turn a negative footprint into a positive one?
  2. What personal info is best kept private?
  3. When is it okay to delete or apologize for a post?

Promote deeper thinking. Encourage students to respond with examples from their own experiences.

Exit Ticket

Write one action you will take to improve your digital footprint:
• Example: Adjust privacy settings
• Example: Think twice before posting

Explain the exit ticket process: one action they’ll take this week. Collect as they leave.

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Worksheet

Digital Footprint Detective Worksheet

Name: __________________________ Date: ________________ Scenario Card #: _______

Instructions: Use the Digital Footprint Scenario Cards. Read your assigned scenario carefully. Then answer the questions below, thinking like a detective to uncover risks, benefits, and strategies for a positive digital footprint.

1. Summarize the Scenario

Write a brief summary of what happened and who was involved.







2. Possible Negative Impacts

Identify at least two ways this digital action could harm the person’s reputation, privacy, or safety.









3. Positive Aspects (If Any)

Describe any positive outcomes or messages this action sends. If there are none, write “None.”







4. Strategy for a Positive Digital Footprint

Suggest one concrete action the person could take to improve or maintain a positive online reputation in this scenario.









5. Personal Reflection

What is one step you will take this week to strengthen or protect your own digital footprint?







Great work, Detective! Be ready to share your findings with the class during the Group Share and Reflection.

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Activity

Digital Footprint Scenario Cards

Use these scenario cards during the Scenario Detective Activity. Read your card, then use the Digital Footprint Detective Worksheet to analyze risks, benefits, and strategies.

Card 1: A Positive Community Post
Alex shares photos of helping at a community clean-up and tags the local charity.

Card 2: A Hurtful Comment
Jamie posts a mean joke about a classmate on social media, calling them “so lame.”

Card 3: Oversharing Personal Information
Taylor tweets their home address and schedules a get-together next weekend.

Card 4: Location Tagging Risk
Riley checks in at a private family event on a public post, revealing who’s home alone.

Card 5: Sharing Helpful Resources
Morgan posts a link to a free online coding tutorial and invites classmates to join.

Card 6: Spreading Unverified Gossip
Casey retweets a rumor about a new student without checking facts.

Card 7: A Deleted Post That Lingers
Jordan deletes an embarrassing photo, but friends have already screenshot it and shared it.

Card 8: Tagging Without Permission
Sam tags classmates in an unflattering video from a school event without asking them first.

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Warm Up

Digital Footprint Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes
Objective: Activate students’ prior knowledge about the traces they leave online and who can see them.

1. Quick Think (2 minutes)

On your own paper or whiteboard, list three online actions you took in the last week. For example: posting a photo, commenting on a video, or searching a topic.







2. Who Sees It? (2 minutes)

Next to each action, write down who might see or have a record of that action. Consider friends, family, apps, or strangers.







3. Pair Share (1 minute)

Turn to your neighbor and share:

  • One action you were glad people could see, and
  • One action you wish you could keep more private.

Be ready to share one interesting insight with the class when we begin the lesson!

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