Lesson Plan
Digital Self Plan
Students will explore their digital identities by identifying key online persona elements, setting privacy controls, and practicing best practices through collaborative activities.
Building a positive online presence helps students protect privacy, understand digital footprints, and make responsible choices in social media interactions.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive slides, group challenges, and role-plays.
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review Online Identity Slides to ensure smooth presentation.
- Print or digitally distribute Privacy Settings Guide, Scenario Role-Play, and Profile Makeover Challenge.
- Arrange seating so students can work in small groups comfortably.
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Display Online Identity Slides to introduce digital identity concepts.
- Ask: “What does your online profile say about you?”
- Invite 2–3 students to share examples of profiles they’ve seen and discuss first impressions.
Step 2
Profile Makeover Challenge
15 minutes
- Distribute the Profile Makeover Challenge activity sheet.
- In small groups, students review sample social media profiles and identify areas for improvement.
- Ask groups to propose changes to profile images, bios, and privacy settings to create a positive online persona.
Step 3
Scenario Role-Play
10 minutes
- Provide each group with a Scenario Role-Play card.
- Groups act out scenarios involving online interactions and potential privacy risks.
- After each role-play, discuss: “What went well? What could be handled differently?”
Step 4
Privacy Settings Guide Activity
10 minutes
- Hand out the Privacy Settings Guide.
- Students explore real or mock social media privacy settings, marking recommended options.
- Facilitate a Q&A: students ask about security features they’re unsure of.
Step 5
Cool-Down Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask each student to name one change they’ll make to their own digital profiles.
- Emphasize key takeaways: protecting privacy, curating positive content, and thinking before posting.
- Thank students for participation and encourage continued digital mindfulness.
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Slide Deck
Who Am I Online?
Exploring Your Digital Identity and Footprint
Welcome students and introduce today’s topic. Explain that we’ll explore what makes up our online identity and why it matters. Encourage participation and open discussion.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will:
• Identify what a digital identity is
• See examples of digital footprints
• Reflect on how online actions shape perceptions
Review the three learning objectives. Tell students they will identify what makes up a digital identity, see real-world examples, and reflect on their own online presence.
What Is a Digital Identity?
• Your digital identity is the sum of all online traces you leave.
• Includes profiles, posts, comments, likes, and shared content.
• Shapes how others see you on the internet.
Define digital identity. Emphasize that it’s more than a username or profile picture—it’s everything that represents you online.
Components of Digital Identity
• Profile Information (photos, bios, usernames)
• Posts & Status Updates
• Comments & Messages
• Likes, Reactions & Shares
Walk through each component. Ask students to raise hands if they’ve ever posted or liked something on social media.
Digital Footprint Examples
Example A: Thoughtful posts about hobbies, achievements, and supportive comments.
Example B: Unfiltered posts, sharing personal info, and negative or hurtful comments.
Show two contrasting mock profiles side by side. Explain how positive vs. negative content builds different impressions.
Why Your Digital Identity Matters
• Influences how friends and teachers see you
• Impacts future opportunities (e.g., school programs)
• Affects your safety and privacy
Ask students: “What impression does each example give you?” Solicit quick responses and highlight key differences.
How Your Footprint Is Created
• Posting photos or updates
• Commenting on friends’ posts
• Liking, sharing, or reacting to content
• Browsing and searches
Explain that every click, comment, and share adds to their footprint. Use the metaphor of footprints on a beach that never fully wash away.
Quick Reflect & Share
Think-Pair-Share:
- Think of one post you made recently.
- Pair up and discuss how it reflects you.
- Volunteers share with the class.
Introduce a Think-Pair-Share activity. Give students 1 minute to think, 2 minutes to share with a partner, then pick a few pairs to report back.
Taking Control Next
Up next:
• Profile Makeover Challenge
• Privacy Settings Guide
• Scenario Role-Plays
Tease the upcoming activities on privacy settings and profile makeovers. Transition smoothly into the next section of the lesson.
Define Digital Identity
Your digital identity is the unique set of online data—social media profiles, posts, interactions, and searches—that represents you to others.
Revisit the formal definition with a polished graphic and the class color gradient background. Encourage students to write this down.
More Real-World Examples
Case Study 1: Student builds a blog portfolio and impresses teachers.
Case Study 2: Oversharing personal details leads to unwanted attention.
Show two real-life mini-case studies: a student who used social media for good vs. someone whose profile caused issues. Discuss quickly.
Quick Questions
- Name one component of your digital identity.
- Why does your online footprint matter?
- What’s one change you’ll make today?
Engage students with three rapid-fire questions. Use colored cards or a virtual poll to collect answers.
Activity
Profile Makeover Challenge
Time: 15 minutes | Group Size: 3–4 students per group
Objective: Analyze sample social media profiles, identify areas that build or weaken a positive online identity, and propose improvements to images, bios, and privacy settings.
Group Roles (rotate as needed)
- Facilitator: Keeps the team on task and reads instructions aloud.
- Recorder: Jots down observations and suggestions.
- Presenter: Shares your group’s makeover with the class.
How to Complete the Challenge
- Read each sample profile below.
- Discuss the prompts for Positives, Concerns, and Suggestions.
- Record your answers in the spaces provided.
- Create a Makeover version with improved photo ideas, a revised bio, and adjusted privacy settings.
Profile A
• Profile Picture: Party selfie at night with a flash; arm around friends.
• Bio: “Epic nights, wild times! #YOLO #PartyHard”
• Sample Post: “Can’t wait 4 next weekend! 🎉” (Public)
• Privacy Settings: Posts and friends list are fully public.
- Positives: What makes this profile engaging or fun?
- Concerns: What might someone (teacher, coach, college recruiter) think or worry about?
- Suggestions for Improvement:
- Photo:
- Bio:
- Privacy Settings:
- Photo:
Makeover Profile A
- New Photo Idea:
- Revised Bio:
- Recommended Privacy Settings:
Profile B
• Profile Picture: Smiling at a school science fair with a project board.
• Bio: “Future scientist 🧪 | Chess club champ | Pet penguin caretaker”
• Sample Post: Shared a link to a kid-friendly science blog (Friends Only).
• Privacy Settings: Profile picture public; posts visible to friends only.
- Positives: What does this profile say about the user’s skills or interests?
- Concerns: Is there any personal detail that might be overshared?
- Suggestions for Improvement:
- Photo:
- Bio:
- Privacy Settings:
- Photo:
Makeover Profile B
- New Photo Idea:
- Revised Bio:
- Recommended Privacy Settings:
When finished, the Presenter will share one makeover with the class. Highlight how your group’s choices help curate a positive and safe online identity.
Good luck, and have fun creating your profile makeovers!
Discussion
Scenario Role-Play
Time: 10 minutes | Group Size: 3–4 students per group
Objective: Practice identifying and responding to common online challenges—oversharing, stranger requests, cyberbullying, and misinformation—through guided role-play and discussion.
Instructions for Students
-
Form groups of 3–4. Assign the following roles (rotate as time allows):
- Actor(s): Perform the scenario.
- Observer: Takes notes on what actions and decisions are made.
- Reporter: Shares your group’s insights during the debrief.
-
Draw or select one scenario card below.
-
Spend 2 minutes role-playing the situation as written.
-
Observer uses the questions under Group Debrief to guide discussion.
-
Reporter shares your group’s key takeaways with the class.
Scenario Cards
Scenario 1: Oversharing Personal Info
You just got back from a family trip and want to post. You’re excited and write: “Had an amazing day at the waterpark with my parents! We stayed at Hotel Sunshine, room 402. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s wave pool! 😄🌊 #vacation”
Scenario 2: Stranger Friend Request
You get a friend request from someone you don’t know. Their profile picture is a stock image, and they have 2 friends in common. They send a message: “Hey, saw your post about art class. I’m a curator—can I see more of your sketches?”
Scenario 3: Cyberbullying
You see two classmates creating a group chat to make fun of another student’s recent post. They’re planning to screenshot and share the post with mocking comments.
Scenario 4: Misinformation Spread
A peer posts a news article claiming that a popular amusement park ride is contaminated and unsafe. The post has many shares but no reliable source. Many classmates are worried and planning to cancel their trip.
Group Debrief Questions
- What choices did your actor make? Why?
- What risks can you identify in this scenario?
- How could you handle the situation differently to stay safe and respectful?
- What advice would you give someone in real life facing this scenario?
After each group shares, discuss as a class:
- Which scenario felt most challenging? Why?
- What common strategies can we use to make safer online choices?
Reminder: Always think before you post or respond. Your digital identity grows with every action!
Worksheet
Privacy Settings Guide
Time: 10 minutes | Individual Worksheet
Objective: Identify and adjust key privacy settings on common social platforms to protect your digital identity.
Instructions
On each platform below, check the settings you think are safest. Then write one sentence explaining why you chose those settings.
- Who can see your profile and posts?
- Public
- Private
Why?
- Who can comment on your posts?
- Everyone
- People You Follow
- No One
Why?
- Who can send you direct messages?
- Everyone
- People You Follow
- No One
Why?
- Who can see your future posts?
- Public
- Friends of Friends
- Friends Only
Why?
- Who can send you friend requests?
- Everyone
- Friends of Friends
Why?
- Who can look you up using the email/phone number you provided?
- Everyone
- Friends of Friends
- Friends Only
- No One
Why?
TikTok
- Who can view your videos?
- Public
- Friends Only
- Private (Only Me)
Why?
- Who can send you messages?
- Everyone
- Friends Only
- No One
Why?
- Who can duet with your videos?
- Everyone
- Friends Only
- No One
Why?
Snapchat
- Who can view your story?
- Everyone
- Friends Only
- Custom
Why?
- Who can contact you?
- Everyone
- Friends Only
Why?
Reflection
What’s one privacy setting you will change today on your own account? Why is it important?
Great work! Remember, strong privacy settings help you control your digital footprint and keep you safe online.