• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Your Digital Footprint: Who's Looking?

user image

kanysha milton

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Your Digital Footprint: Who's Looking?

Students will be able to define 'digital footprint' and identify ways their online actions contribute to it. They will also understand the potential long-term impacts of their digital footprint on personal and academic life.

In today's interconnected world, students are constantly interacting online. Understanding their digital footprint is essential for responsible online behavior, protecting their privacy, and shaping their future opportunities. This lesson empowers them to make intentional choices about their online presence.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual examples, and a reflective cool-down.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Markers or whiteboard, Digital Footprint Slide Deck, Digital Footprint Warm-Up, Digital Footprint Discussion Questions, and Digital Footprint Cool-Down

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Digital Footprint Lesson Plan, Digital Footprint Slide Deck, Digital Footprint Warm-Up, Digital Footprint Discussion Questions, and Digital Footprint Cool-Down to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
    - Ensure projector/smartboard is set up for the slide deck.
    - Have markers or a whiteboard ready for the warm-up activity.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Online Echoes

5 minutes

  1. Display the Digital Footprint Warm-Up prompt on the board/screen.
    2. Instruct students to quickly jot down 2-3 words or phrases that come to mind when they hear 'digital footprint.'
    3. Have a few students share their responses with the class. Acknowledge and briefly discuss their initial ideas.

Step 2

Introduction: What is a Digital Footprint?

7 minutes

  1. Introduce the concept of a digital footprint using Digital Footprint Slide Deck (Slide 1-3).
    2. Define 'digital footprint' as the trail of data left by someone's online activity.
    3. Explain that everything they do online—posts, likes, comments, searches, photos—contributes to this footprint.
    4. Show examples of where digital footprints are left (social media, gaming, school accounts, websites).

Step 3

Discussion: Who's Looking and Why Does It Matter?

10 minutes

  1. Transition to the discussion phase using Digital Footprint Slide Deck (Slide 4).
    2. Divide students into small groups or facilitate a whole-class discussion using the Digital Footprint Discussion Questions.
    3. Encourage students to share personal examples (without revealing sensitive information) or hypothetical scenarios related to their online presence.
    4. Guide the conversation to explore the impact of digital footprints on future opportunities (colleges, jobs) and personal reputation.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Footprint Reflection

8 minutes

  1. Distribute or display the Digital Footprint Cool-Down activity (Slide 5).
    2. Ask students to reflect on one new thing they learned or one change they might make to their online habits.
    3. Collect responses as an exit ticket or have a few students share aloud.
    4. Conclude by emphasizing the power students have to shape a positive digital footprint.
lenny

Slide Deck

Your Digital Footprint: Who's Looking?

Every step you take online leaves a trace. What kind of trail are you leaving?

Greet students and introduce the day's topic: understanding their online presence. Ask them to think about what 'footprint' means in the physical world before transitioning to the digital concept.

What is a Digital Footprint?

Your Online Trail

  • Definition: The unique data trace you leave behind when you use the internet.
  • Includes: Social media posts, comments, photos, videos, search history, website visits, online purchases, gaming activity, app usage.
  • It's Permanent: Once it's online, it's very difficult to erase completely.

Define 'digital footprint' clearly. Emphasize that it's a collection of all data left behind. Ask students to brainstorm examples of online activities that leave a footprint.

Why Does Your Digital Footprint Matter?

Long-Term Impact

  • Reputation: Shapes how others perceive you.
  • Opportunities: Can influence college applications, scholarships, and future job prospects.
  • Privacy: Reveals personal information about you.
  • Permanence: Stays online forever, even if you delete it.

Explain why this footprint matters. Connect it to real-world consequences like college admissions and job applications. Encourage students to think about how different people might view their footprint (friends, family, future employers).

Discussion: Who's Looking?

How do your online actions create a lasting impression? Let's discuss!

(Refer to the Digital Footprint Discussion Questions handout)

Transition to the discussion activity. Explain that they will be talking in groups or as a class about the implications of their digital footprint. Encourage thoughtful and respectful sharing.

Cool-Down: Shape Your Story

Reflect and Respond:

  • What is one new thing you learned about your digital footprint today?
  • What is one change you might make to your online habits to ensure a positive digital footprint?

Conclude the lesson by having students reflect on their learning. This slide serves as the prompt for the cool-down activity.

lenny

Warm Up

Digital Footprint Warm-Up

When you hear the phrase "digital footprint," what comes to mind? Write down 2-3 words or phrases below.


lenny
lenny

Discussion

Digital Footprint Discussion Questions

Discuss the following questions with your group or as a class:

  1. What are some examples of things you do online that contribute to your digital footprint?


  2. Why do you think it's important to be aware of your digital footprint?


  3. Can your digital footprint affect your future, such as college applications or job opportunities? How so?


  4. If someone Googled your name right now, what do you think they would find? How does that make you feel?


  5. What are some steps you can take to create a more positive and responsible digital footprint?




lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Digital Footprint Cool-Down: Shape Your Story

  1. What is one new thing you learned about your digital footprint today?


  2. What is one change you might make to your online habits to ensure a positive digital footprint?




lenny
lenny