Last week the primary students learned that they have a digital footprint and how to protect that footprint while they are online. This lesson comes from Common Sense Media’s Digital Citizenship K-2 Unit 2, Lesson 2.

Students first discussed what their feet would do in the sand on a beach shore or in heavy snow. They all told me that their feet would make footprints – a trail that shows where they started to where they ended. We also talked about how those footprints don’t stay forever. The water washes away the footprints on the sand, and either the snow melts or more snow covers their prints. Next they learned that they have a footprint that doesn’t go away – their digital footprint. A digital footprint shows what you do online and the information about them on the Internet. We watched “Follow the Digital Trail” video. This video explained that there is certain information that you do not put online about yourself to keep you safe. PERSONAL information such as your hobbies, interests, and favorite things are safe to put online. However, PRIVATE information such as your full name, address, phone number, age, birthday, and school name are not safe to put online for people to see that you do not know.

After that discussion, the students followed the “digital trail” of two animals who went online and posted some information about themselves. Mizzle the Mouse only put appropriate information online, but Electra the Elephant put private information online. The students played “Kahoot!” online to test their knowledge of each animal.

After the game, we came back together to review private vs. personal information and how they can continue to stay safe online.

Parents can download the family fact sheet from Common Sense Media here.