Lesson Plan
Your Digital Footprint
Students will be able to define 'digital footprint' and 'internet safety' and identify at least three strategies for responsible online behavior.
In an increasingly connected world, understanding your digital footprint and practicing internet safety is crucial. This lesson equips students with the knowledge to protect their privacy, reputation, and well-being online.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, slide presentation, and a reflective activity.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials and Set Up
15 minutes
- Review the Your Digital Footprint Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Read through the Teacher Script: Your Digital Footprint to prepare for delivery and discussion points.
- Print enough copies of the Digital Footprint Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector/screen is set up for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's Your Online Story?
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion: "What does 'online' mean to you? What kind of things do you do online?"
- Introduce the concept of a digital footprint as the 'story' of everything you do online. (Refer to Teacher Script: Your Digital Footprint for specific prompts).
Step 2
Presentation: Understanding Your Digital Footprint
15 minutes
- Use the Your Digital Footprint Slide Deck to guide the discussion on digital footprints and internet safety.
- Cover topics such as permanent nature of online content, privacy settings, identifying reliable sources, and cyberbullying.
- Encourage student questions and facilitate short discussions on each slide. (Refer to Teacher Script: Your Digital Footprint for talking points and questions).
Step 3
Activity: Digital Footprint Worksheet
15 minutes
- Distribute the Digital Footprint Worksheet to each student.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on their own online habits and how they can improve their internet safety practices.
- Circulate the room to offer assistance and answer questions.
Step 4
Share & Reflect
8 minutes
- Ask students to share one insight or a key takeaway from their worksheet or the presentation.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion about how they can apply what they learned to their own online lives.
- Emphasize the importance of thinking before posting and being a good digital citizen.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Word Reflection
2 minutes
- Ask students to write down one word that describes what they learned or how they feel about their digital footprint after this lesson.
- Collect these as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Welcome! What's Your Online Story?
What does 'online' mean to you?
What kinds of things do you do online every day?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to think about all the things they do online – gaming, social media, homework, watching videos. This is a foundational question to activate prior knowledge.
Your Digital Footprint: What Is It?
Everywhere you go, everything you do online, leaves a trace.
This is your 'digital footprint' – a permanent record of your online activity.
It includes posts, photos, comments, likes, searches, and even websites you visit.
Explain what a digital footprint is using a simple analogy, like footsteps in the sand or a trail of glitter. Emphasize that it's permanent and grows with every action.
Active vs. Passive Footprints
Active Digital Footprint:
- Things you share on purpose (social media posts, comments, emails, photos, videos).
- Filling out online forms or surveys.
Passive Digital Footprint:
- Data collected without your direct action (website cookies, IP address, location data).
- Online shopping history.
Discuss the two types of digital footprints: active (things you purposefully share) and passive (data collected without your direct action). Give examples for each.
- WHY DOES YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT MATTER?
- It's almost impossible to completely erase.
- It can impact your future (college, jobs).
- It shapes how others see you (your online reputation).
- It affects your privacy and security.
Explain why this matters. Focus on future opportunities (jobs, college), reputation, and privacy. Ask students to consider how their online actions might be viewed by others.
Internet Safety Essentials
- Think Before You Post: Once it's online, it's usually there forever.
2. Protect Your Privacy: Use strong passwords, check privacy settings, and don't share personal info.
3. Be Skeptical: Not everything online is true. Check sources!
4. Report & Block: If you see something harmful or inappropriate, report it and block the user.
5. Be Kind: Online interactions should be respectful and positive.
Introduce core internet safety rules. Discuss strong passwords, recognizing phishing, and being wary of unknown links/downloads. Emphasize the importance of not sharing personal information.
Social Media: A Big Part of Your Footprint
- Everything you post, like, and share creates your social media footprint.
- Privacy Settings: Learn how to use them to control who sees your content.
- Content Choices: What message are you sending about yourself?
- The 'Grandma Rule': If you wouldn't want your family, teachers, or future employer to see it, don't post it!
Focus on social media as a key contributor to their digital footprint. Discuss privacy settings, acceptable content, and the 'grandma rule' – would you want your grandma to see it?
Managing Your Digital Footprint
- Google Yourself! See what comes up.
- Review Old Posts: Delete anything inappropriate or outdated.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Make sure you know who can see your content.
- Be Mindful: Every click, post, and share contributes to your story.
Give them actionable steps. Encourage them to review their own online presence and make conscious decisions moving forward. This transitions to the worksheet activity.
Activity: Your Digital Responsibility
Now, let's put what we've learned into practice! You'll complete a worksheet to reflect on your own digital footprint and plan for safe and responsible online choices.
Explain the upcoming activity. Students will apply what they've learned to their own online habits and create a plan for being responsible digital citizens.
Be a Smart Digital Citizen!
Your digital footprint is a reflection of you. Make sure it tells a positive story!
Remember: Think. Protect. Be Kind. Be Smart.
Any questions?
Conclude with a summary of key ideas and a call to action. Reiterate the power they have over their online identity. Encourage them to ask questions.
Script
Teacher Script: Your Digital Footprint
## Warm-Up: What's Your Online Story? (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something that's a huge part of our lives, especially yours: the internet. Can anyone tell me, in your own words, what 'online' means to you? What kind of things do you usually do when you're online?"
(Allow a few students to share. Guide them to mention social media, gaming, videos, homework, communication.)
Teacher: "That's great! It sounds like you all have a lot of experience navigating the online world. Now, imagine you're walking on a sandy beach. Every step you take leaves a mark, right? Even if the tide washes it away later, for a while, there's a record of where you've been. Well, today we're going to talk about the 'footsteps' you leave online – something we call your 'digital footprint.' Let's get started with our Your Digital Footprint Slide Deck."
## Presentation: Understanding Your Digital Footprint (15 minutes)
### Slide 2: Your Digital Footprint: What Is It?
Teacher: "So, what exactly is a digital footprint? Just like those footprints on the beach, every time you use the internet, you leave a trail. This trail is made up of all the information about you that exists online. It's like a story being written about you, one click, one post, one comment at a time. And the thing about this story is, it's often very, very permanent."
"Can you think of anything you've done online that might be part of your digital footprint?"
(Encourage examples: sharing photos, commenting on a friend's post, playing an online game, searching for something for school.)
### Slide 3: Active vs. Passive Footprints
Teacher: "It's important to know that there are two main ways we leave these footprints. There's what we call an 'active' digital footprint – these are the things you choose to put online. Like posting a selfie, writing a comment, sending an email. You're actively creating that content."
"Then there's your 'passive' digital footprint. This is information that's collected about you without you even realizing it. For example, when you visit a website, it might collect data about your computer or where you're located. It's like leaving subtle traces without actively trying to."
"Does anyone have questions about the difference between active and passive?"
### Slide 4: Why Does Your Digital Footprint Matter?
Teacher: "So, why should we care about these footprints? Well, because they can have a big impact on your life, both now and in the future. Once something is online, it's incredibly hard to remove. It can be seen by a lot of people – friends, family, teachers, and even people you don't know."
"Think about this: someday you might apply for a job or a college. Do you think they might look up your online presence? What kind of story would you want them to see?"
(Allow for a brief discussion about reputation and future implications.)
### Slide 5: Internet Safety Essentials
Teacher: "This brings us to internet safety. Managing your digital footprint is a huge part of being safe online. Here are some essential rules to live by:"
"1. Think Before You Post: This is probably the most important rule. Pause. Consider. Is this something you want associated with you forever?"
"2. Protect Your Privacy: Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts. Check your privacy settings on social media to control who sees your content. Never give out personal information like your address or phone number to strangers online."
"3. Be Skeptical: The internet is full of information, but not all of it is true. Always question what you see and read. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. And if you get a suspicious link or message, don't click it!"
"4. Report & Block: If someone is being mean or sharing inappropriate content, don't engage. Report them to the platform and block them. Always tell a trusted adult if you experience or see cyberbullying or anything that makes you uncomfortable."
"5. Be Kind: Remember that there's a real person on the other side of the screen. Treat others online with the same respect you'd show them in person. Your words have power."
"Which of these rules do you think is the hardest to follow sometimes? Why?"
### Slide 6: Social Media: A Big Part of Your Footprint
Teacher: "For many of you, social media is where a lot of your digital footprint is created. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat – every post, every like, every share adds to that story."
"Let's talk about privacy settings. Does everyone know how to check and adjust their privacy settings on the platforms they use? It's really important to know who can see your content. If your profile is public, then literally anyone can see it."
"And then there's the 'Grandma Rule.' Imagine your grandma, your favorite teacher, or a future college admissions officer seeing your posts. Would you be proud of everything they saw? If the answer is no, then it's probably not something you should be posting."
### Slide 7: Managing Your Digital Footprint
Teacher: "So, how do we actively manage this footprint? One way is to simply Google yourself! See what comes up. You might be surprised. If you find something you don't like, you can often take steps to remove it or ask for it to be removed."
"Also, take some time to review your old posts. We all make mistakes, and sometimes things we thought were funny years ago might not be appropriate now. Don't be afraid to delete or archive old content. And always make sure your privacy settings are up to date and set how you want them to be."
"Finally, just be mindful. Every online action has a consequence, big or small. You are in control of the story your digital footprint tells."
## Activity: Digital Footprint Worksheet (15 minutes)
Teacher: "Now, it's your turn to think a bit more deeply about your own digital footprint. I'm going to hand out the Digital Footprint Worksheet. Please take a few minutes to read through the questions and answer them thoughtfully. This is for you to reflect on, so take your time."
(Distribute worksheets. Circulate to answer questions and provide support.)
## Share & Reflect (8 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, let's bring it back together. I'd love for a few of you to share one new thing you learned today, or perhaps one idea from the worksheet that really stood out to you. What's one change you might make to your online habits after this lesson?"
(Facilitate a short discussion, ensuring multiple students have a chance to share. Reiterate key points about responsibility and safety.)
Teacher: "Excellent insights, everyone. Remember, your digital footprint is powerful. It's your online story, and you are the author. Make sure it's a story you're proud to tell."
## Cool-Down: One Word Reflection (2 minutes)
Teacher: "To wrap up our lesson today, I'd like each of you to take a moment and think of just one word that describes what you learned today, or how you feel about your digital footprint after this discussion. Write that word on a piece of paper, and I'll collect them as you leave. Thank you for your thoughtful participation today!"
Worksheet
Digital Footprint Worksheet: Leaving Your Mark Online
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________
## Part 1: Your Online World
1. List three different online activities you participate in regularly (e.g., social media, gaming, watching videos, searching for information).
a.
b.
c.
2. In your own words, what does "digital footprint" mean?
3. Give an example of something you might post or do online that would be part of your active digital footprint.
4. Give an example of how your passive digital footprint might be created without you even knowing it.
## Part 2: Thinking Before You Post
Consider the "Grandma Rule": If you wouldn't want your family, teachers, or a future employer to see it, don't post it!
5. Imagine you are about to post a photo or comment online. What three questions should you ask yourself before you hit "send" or "post"?
a.
b.
c.
6. Describe a situation where something you or someone else posted online could negatively impact their reputation or future opportunities. (Do not use real names!)
## Part 3: Being a Smart Digital Citizen
7. What are two steps you can take today to manage or improve your own digital footprint?
a.
b.
8. If you see someone being cyberbullied or encounter inappropriate content online, what should you do?
9. Why is it important to use strong passwords and check your privacy settings on social media accounts?
10. Write one piece of advice you would give to a younger student about staying safe and responsible online.
Cool Down
One Word Reflection: My Digital Footprint
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________
Instructions: Think about everything we discussed today regarding your digital footprint and internet safety. In the space below, write one word that summarizes your biggest takeaway, a new feeling, or something important you learned.
My word is: