Think Before You Send
You send your friend:
“Nice one 😂”
Give two different meanings the receiver might understand.
It could be genuine praise, or it could sound sarcastic/mocking.
A photo contains:
What is this information called?
Metadata
Which URL should make you more suspicious?
A. https://www.microsoft.com
B. https://microsoft-account-freegift.xyz
Explain why.
B. The unusual domain and wording do not match the expected official company domain.
Give one technological reason why many employees no longer need to work at the same desk every day.
Portable devices, cloud storage, online communication or remote-access tools.
A smart thermostat connects to the internet and automatically changes your home's temperature.
Why is this part of the Internet of Things?
It is a physical device connected to a network that can collect, send or receive data.
A student writes this to the Headteacher:
“Hey! I can’t come tomorrow 😭😂 see ya!”
Identify two problems with the communication.
The language is too informal for the audience; the emojis/tone may be inappropriate or unclear.
You upload a photograph taken inside your house.
The photograph contains GPS metadata.
What information could this accidentally reveal?
The location of the house, potentially revealing where the person lives.
A website uses HTTPS.
Does this automatically mean everything written on the website is true?
No. HTTPS helps secure communication between the user and website; it does not prove the information itself is accurate.
A company replaces desktop computers with laptops.
Give:
one benefit for the employee
AND
one benefit for the employer.
Employee: flexibility to work from different locations.
Employer: more flexible workspace or easier remote working.
A smart doorbell lets you see visitors while you are away from home.
Give:
one benefit
AND
one risk.
Benefit: remote monitoring/security.
Risk: hacking or unauthorised access to the camera/data.
Which is the better method for discussing a complicated disagreement:
A. Text message
B. Video call
You only receive the points if you justify your choice.
Video call, because tone, facial expression and immediate clarification can reduce misunderstanding.
A company knows:
Why might another company pay for access to this information?
It could identify likely customers and target products, services or advertising towards them.
You find an article titled:
“SCIENTISTS PROVE PHONES DESTROY YOUR BRAIN!!!”
Before believing it, name three things you should investigate.
A team in Vietnam, Korea, and the UK works on the same project.
What combination of technologies could allow them to work effectively without meeting physically?
Cloud documents/storage + video conferencing + online messaging/collaboration tools.
Your fridge records which food you buy and automatically orders replacements.
Why could this be both convenient and a privacy concern?
It saves time by automating purchases, but it also collects information about habits and preferences which could potentially be accessed or shared.
A company replies to a serious customer complaint with:
“Sorry about that 😅”
Why could this damage the organisation even though the message includes an apology?
The emoji may make the complaint appear unimportant or make the company seem unprofessional, causing misinterpretation and reputational damage.
Student A says:
“One piece of metadata doesn't tell anyone much about me, so metadata isn't really a privacy issue.”
What is wrong with this argument?
Individual pieces of metadata can be combined. Over time, many online actions can create a detailed profile of the person.
A student finds the same claim on 20 websites.
They say:
“Twenty websites say it, so it must be true.”
Why is this reasoning weak?
The websites might all be copying the same original source or misinformation. Quantity does not guarantee reliability.
A company moves every document from local computers to cloud storage.
Student A says:
“That solves every storage and collaboration problem.”
Give two reasons why that statement is too simplistic.
Internet dependence, privacy/security issues, service outages, permissions, subscription costs or access problems.
A city connects traffic lights, cameras and traffic sensors to one network.
Explain one benefit if the system works and one consequence if the system is compromised.
Benefit: traffic flow can be automatically improved.
Risk: hacking or system failure could disrupt traffic or expose collected data.
Two people receive exactly the same message:
“Fine.”
Person A thinks the sender is happy.
Person B thinks the sender is angry.
How can both interpretations be reasonable?
Text communication lacks facial expressions, vocal tone and body language, so meaning depends on context and the receiver's interpretation.
A user repeatedly searches for:
What three reasonable predictions might a company make about this user?
They may exercise/run; they may be training for an event; they may be planning travel to Singapore; they may be interested in fitness products.
Important: Students should recognise these are predictions, not guaranteed facts.
You are researching whether a new technology is safe.
You find:
Source A: Company selling the technology
Source B: Anonymous blog
Source C: Independent research organisation explaining its evidence
Which would you investigate first, and why?
Source C is preferred because an independent organization providing evidence is likely to offer stronger support, although all sources should still be evaluated.
Predict one major change digital technology could make to workplaces in the next ten years.
Your team only earns the points if it explains:
This one deliberately has no single correct answer.
A family has:
Someone gains unauthorised access to their smart-home account.
Why could connecting devices together make this attack more serious than hacking one ordinary appliance?
Multiple connected devices may expose information or controls at once. An attacker might gain knowledge of routines, access cameras, control locks or interact with several systems.