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Digital Footprints

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Lesson Plan

Digital Footprints

Students will understand the concept of a digital footprint, recognize the impact of online actions, especially in the context of cyberbullying, and learn strategies for responsible social media use.

In today's interconnected world, students need to understand that their online actions have real-world consequences. This lesson helps them develop critical thinking skills for navigating social media responsibly and respectfully, fostering a safer online environment for themselves and others.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion and scenario analysis, students will explore the permanence and impact of their online presence.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Digital Footprints Slide Deck, and Impactful Impressions Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 1: 'What's a Digital Footprint?'
    - Ask students: 'What do you think a 'digital footprint' is?' Allow 1 minute for individual thought.
    - Have students turn to a partner and share their ideas for 2 minutes.
    - Call on a few pairs to share their definitions with the class. Acknowledge and affirm their ideas.

Step 2

Understanding Digital Footprints & Impact

10 minutes

  • Display Slide 2: 'Digital Footprints: Your Online Story'. Explain that everything they do online leaves a trace.
    - Display Slide 3: 'Lasting Impressions'. Discuss how online posts, comments, and interactions can be permanent and seen by many, even years later.
    - Transition to the topic of online bullying. Display Slide 4: 'When Footprints Hurt: Cyberbullying'.
    - Discuss the definition of cyberbullying and how online actions can impact others.
    - Emphasize that even if a bully deletes a post, the impact on the victim and others who saw it can last. Mention the concept of screenshots and sharing.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion: 'How does it feel to see someone being unkind online? What responsibility do we have when we see it?'

Step 3

Scenario Analysis & Responsible Actions

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Impactful Impressions Worksheet.
    - Display Slide 5: 'Making Positive Prints'. Explain that they will be analyzing scenarios related to social media and digital footprints.
    - Have students work individually or in small groups (as per small group instruction) to complete the worksheet.
    - Circulate and provide support and guidance as needed.
    - After 5-7 minutes, bring the class back together.
    - Display Slide 6: 'Your Digital Compass'. Discuss the answers to the scenarios as a class, focusing on responsible and empathetic responses. Highlight strategies for reporting, blocking, and supporting others.

Step 4

Cool-Down: One Word Reflection

5 minutes

  • Display Slide 7: 'Leaving a Positive Legacy'.
    - Ask students to think of one word that describes how they want their digital footprint to be perceived or one key takeaway from the lesson.
    - Have students share their word with a partner or write it down on an exit ticket. Collect as they leave. (For small group, quick verbal share is appropriate.)
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Slide Deck

What's a Digital Footprint?

Think about it: What traces do you leave behind when you go online?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of a 'digital footprint.' Ask them to think individually first, then share with a partner. This activates prior knowledge and gets everyone involved.

Digital Footprints: Your Online Story

Everything you do online—posts, comments, photos, likes, shares—creates your digital footprint.

It's like a trail of breadcrumbs you leave across the internet.

Explain that every interaction, post, like, and share creates a part of their online story. Emphasize that this story is often visible to many.

Lasting Impressions

Once something is online, it can be very difficult to remove completely.

Even deleted posts or comments can be screenshotted and shared by others.

Your online presence can impact future opportunities, like college admissions or job applications.

Discuss the permanence of online content. Use examples like old social media posts resurfacing. Highlight that even if they delete something, it might still exist elsewhere.

When Footprints Hurt: Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.

It can include:

  • Spreading rumors online
  • Posting mean comments or photos
  • Excluding someone from an online group
  • Harassing someone repeatedly

The impact can be devastating and long-lasting.

Introduce cyberbullying. Define it and explain how online actions, even seemingly small ones, can have a huge negative impact on others. Connect it to the 'lasting impressions' idea.

Making Positive Prints

How can we ensure our digital footprint is a positive one?

It's about making conscious choices:

  • Think Before You Post: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?
  • Be Respectful: Treat others online as you would in person.
  • Protect Your Privacy: Be careful what personal information you share.
  • Stand Up (or Report): If you see cyberbullying, don't ignore it. Report it!

Transition to solutions and positive actions. Explain that students will work on a worksheet to apply these concepts to real-life scenarios.

Your Digital Compass

Let's discuss the scenarios from the worksheet.

What was the responsible choice in each situation? Why?

What steps can you take if you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying?

Guide the discussion after the worksheet. Focus on empathy, responsibility, and practical steps. Reinforce the idea of being an 'upstander.'

Leaving a Positive Legacy

What one word describes how you want your digital footprint to be perceived?

How will you use your digital compass to guide your online actions?

For the cool-down, ask students to reflect on one key takeaway. A quick verbal share in a small group or written exit ticket for a larger class.

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Worksheet

Impactful Impressions: Your Digital Footprint

Instructions: Read each scenario below and answer the questions. Think about the impact of online actions and how to be a responsible digital citizen.

Scenario 1: The Misleading Meme

Your friend, Alex, posts a meme in your class group chat that makes fun of another classmate, Maya. You know Maya is sensitive, and the meme is starting to get a lot of laughs and shares. You feel a little uncomfortable.

  1. What is your digital footprint if you
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Answer Key

Impactful Impressions: Your Digital Footprint - Answer Key

Scenario 1: The Misleading Meme

Your friend, Alex, posts a meme in your class group chat that makes fun of another classmate, Maya. You know Maya is sensitive, and the meme is starting to get a lot of laughs and shares. You feel a little uncomfortable.

  1. What is your digital footprint if you
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Warm Up

Digital Footprints Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a moment to think about the following question. You'll share your thoughts with a partner in a few minutes.

What do you think a "digital footprint" is?












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Cool Down

Digital Footprints Cool-Down

Instructions: In one word, how do you want your digital footprint to be perceived by others? Why did you choose that word?

One Word:





Why?











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