Is a Digital Footprint Always Safe? Teaching Kindergarteners Online Safety

📚 Introduction to Digital Footprints

A digital footprint is all the information about a person that exists on the Internet as a result of their online activity. This includes websites they visit, information they post, and things that others post about them.

🎯 Learning Objectives

• 🌍 Define Digital Footprint: 🌍 Explain what a digital footprint is in simple terms.
• 🛡️ Understand Safety: 🛡️ Recognize that not everything online is safe.
• 🔒 Privacy Awareness: 🔒 Identify ways to keep personal information private.
• 💡 Positive Online Behavior: 💡 Encourage positive and responsible online actions.

🍎 Materials Needed

• 💻 Computer/Tablet: 💻 Access to the internet for demonstrations.
• 🖍️ Drawing Supplies: 🖍️ Paper, crayons, or markers for activities.
• 🖼️ Printable Worksheets: 🖼️ Simple worksheets related to online safety.
• 🧸 Puppets/Props: 🧸 To act out scenarios.

☀️ Warm-up Activity (5 mins)

Activity: 'What Do You Know About the Internet?'

• ❓ Question Time: ❓ Ask children what they use the internet for (watching videos, playing games).
• 🗣️ Discussion: 🗣️ Briefly discuss that everything they do online leaves a trace.

✏️ Main Instruction

🐾 Lesson 1: What is a Digital Footprint?

• 👣 Explanation: 👣 Explain that a digital footprint is like footprints we leave in the sand, but online.
• 🔍 Examples: 🔍 Show examples like posting photos, playing online games, or searching for information.
• 💡 Activity: 💡 Have kids draw their favorite online activity and explain what 'footprints' they might leave behind.

🛡️ Lesson 2: Is Everything Online Safe?

• 🚨 Stranger Danger Online: 🚨 Explain that just like in real life, not everyone online is safe.
• 🙅 No Sharing: 🙅 Teach them not to share personal information (name, age, address) with strangers.
• 💬 Scenario: 💬 Use puppets to act out a scenario where a stranger asks for personal information.

🔒 Lesson 3: Keeping Information Private

• 🔑 Privacy Settings: 🔑 Talk about how some games and apps have settings to keep info private.
• 🚫 Ask Before Sharing: 🚫 Always ask a grown-up before sharing photos or information online.
• 🎨 Activity: 🎨 Create a 'Privacy Shield' craft where kids decorate a shield to remind them to protect their information.

👍 Lesson 4: Being a Good Online Citizen

• 💖 Be Kind: 💖 Emphasize being kind and respectful online.
• 🛑 Stop Bullying: 🛑 Teach them not to participate in cyberbullying.
• 📢 Tell a Grown-Up: 📢 If someone is being mean, tell a trusted adult.

📝 Assessment

Activity: 'Online Safety Quiz'

• ❓ Question 1: ❓ What is a digital footprint?
• ✅ Answer: ✅ Everything you do online.
• ❓ Question 2: ❓ Is it okay to share your address with someone you meet in an online game?
• ✅ Answer: ✅ No, never share personal information.
• ❓ Question 3: ❓ What should you do if someone is being mean to you online?
• ✅ Answer: ✅ Tell a grown-up.