Digital Footprint
What is a digital footprint?
Information or activity you leave behind when you use technology or the internet.
Why shouldn't you automatically believe everything you see online?
Because information online can be false, misleading, or unreliable.
A pop-up says you won a prize and asks for your information. Should you click? Why or why not?
No.
Is one disagreement between two students automatically cyberbullying?
No.
You see a mean comment about another student. What should you NOT do?
Don't join in.
Don't like/share the comment.
Don't make another mean comment.
Don't encourage others to participate.
A student posts a picture and later deletes it. Why could it still be part of their digital footprint?
Someone could have saved, screenshot, or shared it before it was deleted.
You see a post with a shocking headline but no source. What should you do?
Don't immediately believe it.
Check the source.
Look for another trustworthy source.
Ask a trusted adult.
Why is a message telling you to “ACT NOW!” on a random pop up with a warning sign?
It is trying to pressure you into making a quick decision without thinking or checking the information.
What is one difference between a conflict and cyberbullying?
A conflict is a disagreement between people. Cyberbullying involves using technology to repeatedly hurt, embarrass, or target someone.
You see someone being targeted repeatedly online. Who could you tell?
Parent/guardian
Teacher
Counselor
Another trusted adult
How could posting something embarrassing affect a person's digital footprint later?
Other people could see or share it, and it could affect how people view the person in the future.
A friend says, “Everyone is sharing it, so it must be true.” Is that a good reason to believe it?
No. Lots of people can share something that isn't true. You should check the information and source.
A website asks for information that doesn't seem necessary for what you're trying to do. What should you do?
Don't give the information right away.
Ask a trusted adult.
Think about why the website needs it.
Leave the website if it seems suspicious.
Two students argue in a group chat, both say something mean, and then stop. Is this more likely conflict or cyberbullying?
Conflict. Why?
It was a disagreement that stopped rather than repeated targeting.
Your friend asks you to share a post that you aren't sure is true. What should you do before sharing it?
Check the information/source first.
A student is about to post an angry comment about a classmate. What should they consider before posting?
Could this hurt someone?
Would I want others to see this?
Could this become part of my digital footprint?
Should I wait until I calm down?
Could I solve the problem another way?
Name two things you could check to decide whether information online is trustworthy.
Who created it?
What is the source?
Is there evidence?
Is the information current?
Do other trustworthy sources say the same thing?
Is the website reliable?
A pop-up asks for personal information and says you'll lose your prize if you don't respond immediately. Identify two red flags.
Asking for personal information
Pressure to act immediately
“You won!” claim
Threatening to take away the prize
A student repeatedly sends hurtful messages to another student and encourages other people to join in. What makes this different from a normal disagreement?
It is repeated and targeted, and the student is getting others involved in hurting the person.
You see cyberbullying happening but don't want to make the situation worse. Name two responsible actions you could take.
Tell a trusted adult.
Report the behavior.
Support the person being targeted.
Don't participate.
Save evidence if appropriate.
A student says, “It doesn't matter what I post because I can just delete it later.” Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
Disagree. Other people may screenshot, save, or share it, so deleting something doesn't always mean it disappears completely.
You find two websites giving completely different information about the same topic. What should you do?
Compare the sources, look for evidence, check who created the information, and use trustworthy sources to determine which information is more reliable.
You receive a message saying, “Your account will be deleted in 10 minutes unless you click this link and enter your password.” What makes this suspicious, and what should you do?
The message is creating urgency and asking for a password. Don't click the link or give your password. Tell a trusted adult or use the official website/app to check your account.
A student says something hurtful online once, apologizes, and stops. Another student repeatedly targets the same person online and gets others involved. How are these situations different?
The first situation is more like a conflict or mistake that was resolved. The second involves repeated, targeted behavior and others joining in, which can be cyberbullying.
You see a false rumor about a classmate spreading online. Your friends want you to repost it because “it's funny.” What should you do, and why?
Don't repost it. Spreading the rumor could hurt the person and make the situation worse. Tell a trusted adult/report it if necessary.