Lesson 1: Personal Information and Digital Privacy

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Unit 1: Protecting Digital Privacy, Accounts, and Devices

Instructional Content

1. Understanding personal information
   • Personal information includes details that identify an individual directly or can be combined with other information to identify them.
   • Examples Include
     • Full name, home address, and telephone number.
     • School name and daily location.
     • Date of birth and personal pictures.
     • Account usernames and passwords.
     • Email addresses and location information. Not all information carries the same level of risk. A first name alone may be relatively harmless in some contexts, while a combination of a name, school, and location can reveal considerably more. Participants should understand that privacy decisions depend on the information being requested, who is requesting it, and how that information may be used.
2. Recognizing digital privacy risks
   • Online services may request information for account creation, communication, or personalized experiences. Some requests are legitimate, while others are unnecessary or suspicious.
   • Common privacy risks include sharing personal details publicly, accepting requests from unfamiliar users, allowing unnecessary location access, and entering sensitive information on untrusted websites.
3. Protecting personal information
   • Participants will explore practical strategies, including reviewing privacy settings, limiting unnecessary information sharing, verifying requests for information, and asking a trusted adult or appropriate support person for help when something seems suspicious.

Existing Cybersecurity Resources

Access Information: Creating an account and accessing existing resources is free.

1. Common Sense Education - That's Private!
   • An elementary-level lesson introducing private information and why it should not be shared online.
   • Recommended use: Participants review the lesson and identify how its activities could be adapted for their students.
2. Common Sense Education - Being Aware of What You Share
   • Recommended use: Participants compare privacy considerations for older students.

Guided Practice

Material 1: Introduction to Digital Privacy

Purpose: Preparatory Reading

Why Is Digital Privacy Important?

Digital privacy refers to an individual's ability to control how personal information is collected, shared, and used. Every time students create an account, visit a website, or communicate online, they may share information about themselves.

Some information, including a full name, address, school, location, or account password, can expose individuals to privacy and security risks. Students may not always recognize these risks, particularly when information is requested through a familiar application or online game.

Protecting digital privacy requires more than knowing which information is personal. Individuals also need to consider who is requesting the information, why it is needed, and what could happen if it is shared. Teachers can help students develop these skills by presenting realistic digital situations and encouraging them to explain their decisions.

Material 2: Privacy Scenario Worksheet

Purpose: Give participants an opportunity to apply privacy concepts to a realistic digital situation.

Scenario: Creating an Online Gaming Account

Participant instructions: Read the scenario and answer the following questions.

1. Which pieces of information in this scenario are personal or sensitive?
2. What privacy risks could result from sharing this information?
3. What safer actions should the student take before creating the account?
4. How could you adapt this scenario into an activity for your selected K–12 grade level?

A 12-year-old student wants to join an online gaming community. During registration, the website requests the student's username, full name, home address, school name, photograph, and password.

The student is excited to join and plans to complete every field without reviewing the website's privacy information.

Facilitator answer guide

A strong response should recognize that the full name, address, school name, photograph, and password require particular care. The username may also reveal identifying information.

Participants should explain that sharing unnecessary details could expose the student to unwanted contact, account compromise, or identification outside the game.

Appropriate safeguards include checking whether the service is trustworthy and age-appropriate, avoiding unnecessary information sharing, using a unique password, and seeking guidance from a trusted adult when appropriate.

Material 3: Classroom Teaching Example

Purpose: Demonstrate how teachers can introduce privacy concepts without requiring students to disclose their actual personal information.

Suggested grade level: Grades 3–5

Instructions for participants

Imagine teaching a class of fourth-grade students. You give students fictional information cards containing examples such as a favorite color, home address, password, favorite food, school name, and current location.

Students sort the cards into three categories:

• Generally safe to share in an appropriate setting.
• Information that should remain private.
• Information that depends on the situation and audience.

After sorting, students explain why they placed each card in a particular category.

Participant reflection: What changes would you make for younger or older students?

Click here to continue to Lesson 2: Securing Digital Accounts and Devices

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