Introduction
The digital world has become an essential part of our lives, and high school students are no exception. As they spend more time online, they leave traces of their activities in the form of a digital footprint. This digital footprint consists of the social media posts, comments, likes, shares, website visits, and other online activities that are associated with their names. It is crucial for educators to help students understand the importance of their digital footprint and guide them towards responsible online behavior. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement activity and some discussion questions to help students become more aware of their digital footprint and its potential consequences.
No-Prep Activity: The Online Detective
In this activity, students will pair up and act as “online detectives” to investigate their partner’s digital footprint. The goal is to identify the types of information that can be found online and discuss the potential consequences of such information being publicly accessible.
- Pair students up and have them exchange their names or social media handles.
- Give students 10-15 minutes to search for their partner’s name or handle online. They should take notes on the types of information they find, such as photos, posts, comments, or likes.
- After the search, have the students discuss their findings with their partners. They should talk about the potential consequences of the information they found, both positive and negative.
- As a class, discuss the importance of being aware of one’s digital footprint and the steps they can take to manage it responsibly.
Discussion Questions
- What are some examples of positive and negative digital footprints? How can they impact a person’s life?
- Why is it important to think before posting, commenting, or liking something online?
- How can you protect your privacy and manage your digital footprint effectively?
- What role do parents, educators, and peers play in helping students navigate the digital world responsibly?
- How can schools and educators support students in developing responsible online habits?
Related Skills
Alongside understanding and managing digital footprints, other essential skills for students include online safety, digital literacy, and responsible social media use. Teaching students about these related skills can help them navigate the digital world more confidently and responsibly.
Next Steps
As an educator, you play a vital role in guiding your students towards responsible online behavior. By incorporating the principles of Social-Emotional Learning and using the provided activity and discussion questions, you can help your students become more aware of their digital footprint and its potential consequences.
To further support your students in developing responsible online habits, consider signing up for free samples of skill-building materials, including lessons on digital footprint awareness and other related topics, at Everyday Speech.
