lenny

Your Digital Shadow

Lesson Plan

Your Digital Shadow

Students will understand what a digital footprint (or “digital shadow”) is and learn to recognize how their online actions leave lasting traces. They will watch a concise video, engage in guided discussion, and complete a brief reflection to identify strategies for managing their digital presence.

Recognizing one’s digital shadow empowers students to make safer, more thoughtful online choices, fostering responsible digital citizenship and protecting their privacy and reputation.

Audience

6th Grade (Middle School Students)

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Short video, group discussion, and individual reflection worksheet.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

3 minutes

  • Ask students what they think “digital footprint” means and record key ideas on the board.
  • Explain that each online action leaves a “digital shadow” and that today’s lesson will explore its impact.

Step 2

Video Viewing

5 minutes

Step 3

Guided Discussion

7 minutes

  • Invite students to share their notes: one new insight and one example of a digital footprint.
  • Use these prompts:
    • “How could your digital shadow affect future opportunities?”
    • “What steps can you take to manage how you appear online?”
  • Highlight both positive uses of online platforms and risks associated with careless posts.

Step 4

Reflection Activity

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Digital Shadow Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students identify personal examples of online actions and outline one concrete step to maintain a positive digital presence.
  • Collect worksheets for review and provide feedback.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Discussion

Digital Shadow Discussion

Discussion Guidelines

  • Listen respectfully to others and wait your turn to speak.
  • Use evidence from the Digital Footprint Explainer Video and your own experiences.
  • Speak in complete sentences and explain your thinking.

Discussion Prompts

  1. What is one new insight you learned from the video, and what is an example of a digital trace (or “digital shadow”) you might leave online?



  1. How could your digital shadow affect your future opportunities, such as school projects, scholarships, or jobs? Share one positive example and one negative example.






  1. What are two concrete steps you can take to manage your digital shadow and maintain a positive online presence? For example, think about what you post, who sees it, and how you interact with others.






Teacher Follow-Up Points

  • Ask students to explain why certain posts or comments might stay online forever.
  • Discuss how privacy settings work and why they are important.
  • Highlight that even deleting a post may not remove it from the internet completely.
  • Emphasize positive uses of social media (sharing achievements, helping others) alongside risks.

Next Steps

After the discussion, distribute the Digital Shadow Reflection Worksheet for students to record their personal examples and action plan. Collect and review for feedback on their strategies.

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Digital Shadow Reflection Worksheet

Name: ______________________ Date: _______________

Instructions: Think about your own online activity. Use the space below to record examples, reflect on potential impacts, and plan how you will manage your digital shadow.

1. Describe one online action you have done or might do (e.g., posting a photo, comment, or message).





2. Explain how this action could leave a digital shadow. Who might see it in the future, and what impact could it have (positive or negative)?







3. Identify one concrete step you will take to maintain or improve your digital presence (e.g., adjust privacy settings, think before posting, ask a trusted adult to review).







4. Set a personal goal: What will you do differently online this week to support a positive digital shadow?





Once you have completed your reflections, turn in this worksheet so your teacher can review and provide feedback on your digital presence strategy.

lenny
lenny

Reading

Safe Web Surfing: Top Tips for Kids and Teens Online

Watch this short video to learn why your online actions leave lasting traces and how privacy settings can help protect your information.

Watch the video on Lenny

Duration: 5 minutes 2 seconds

lenny
lenny