Lesson
Digital Footprint & Identity
Summary
Every search, post, and comment builds a permanent record that outlives the moment it was made. Explore how digital footprints form, why nothing online is truly temporary, and how students can take control of their online reputation.
Bellringer: What's Your Digital Footprint?
- Have students silently list every digital action taken today (searches, DMs, posts).
- Flip the exercise — ask what a stranger would find if they searched the student's name right now.
Instruction
- Define digital footprint and walk through examples posted by others, not just the student.
- Explain digital permanence (screenshots, cached pages, and platform copies mean nothing truly disappears).
- Connect footprint and permanence to real consequences like college admissions and hiring decisions.
- Teach the digital audit process and the "show, don't just hide" strategy for building a positive presence.
Discussion: Who Owns Your Photo?
- Partner students to debate who owns a photo: the subject or the poster?
- Push pairs to defend their position, then ask for the strongest counterargument they considered.
Activity: Internet Safety Pretest & Game
- Have students complete the Internet Safety Pretest individually.
- Launch the Internet Safety game and allow 20+ minutes of gameplay, circulating to support students at tricky decision points.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Explain the term "digital footprint" in 1-2 sentences.
- Which social media platform do you personally need to monitor more closely? Why?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: What's Your Digital Footprint? |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 8 min | Discussion: Who Owns Your Photo? |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Internet Safety Pretest & Game |
|
| 2 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Internet Safety Pretest
Assess student knowledge before beginning the Internet Safety course.
Internet Safety
Students navigate online safety scenarios involving privacy, phishing, and scams.
Class Presentation
Includes a 16-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Digital Life Skills
Digital Wellness
Screen time isn't just a habit—it's a health issue touching sleep, focus, and self-esteem. This lesson explores how technology affects psychological and physical health and helps students build a personalized plan for healthier tech habits.
Digital Footprint & Identity
Every search, post, and comment builds a permanent record that outlives the moment it was made. Explore how digital footprints form, why nothing online is truly temporary, and how students can take control of their online reputation.
Online Safety
Not everything you share online carries the same risk, and most identity theft starts with information that seemed harmless at the time. Explore what counts as personal information, why teens are prime targets for scammers, and how to spot common online traps before they cost you.
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