Lesson 2: Evaluating and Making Responsible Digital Decisions

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Unit 2 : Making Safe and Responsible Digital Decisions

Instructional Content

1. Understanding responsible digital decision-making
2. Evaluating possible consequences
3. Comparing possible responses
4. Justifying responsible choices

Existing Cybersecurity Resources

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1. Common Sense Education – Digital Citizenship Curriculum
   • This curriculum includes grade-specific lessons addressing online communication, digital footprints, privacy, and responsible digital behavior.
   • Recommended use: Participants select a lesson appropriate for their students and examine how it encourages students to evaluate online situations and explain their decisions.

Guided Practice

Material 1: Introduction to Digital Privacy

Purpose: Preparatory Reading

How Can We Make Responsible Digital Decisions?

Students make digital decisions whenever they communicate, share information, or interact online. These decisions can affect their privacy, security, relationships, and digital reputation.

Responsible digital decision-making involves identifying risks, considering consequences, and choosing safe responses. For example, before posting a photograph, students need to consider whether they have permission, who can view it, and whether it reveals personal information.

Students also need to recognize suspicious messages, unfamiliar contacts, and requests for personal information. Pausing, verifying information, or seeking help can prevent potential risks. Teachers can use realistic scenarios to help students evaluate situations, compare responses, and explain their reasoning. These activities develop critical thinking and encourage safer online decisions.

Material 2: Digital Decision Challenge

Purpose: Help participants evaluate consequences, compare alternatives, and justify safer digital decisions.

Activity: What Would You Do? Participant instructions: Read each situation, choose the most appropriate response, and explain why that decision is safer or more responsible.

Scenario 1: Sharing a Classmate's Photograph

A student takes a photograph during a school event and wants to post it publicly. Several classmates appear in the photograph, but the student has not asked whether they want it shared.

Select the most appropriate response.

1. Post the photograph immediately.
2. Ask for permission and follow school sharing rules before posting.
3. Tag everyone without asking.
4. Assume permission because the photograph was taken at school.

Scenario 2: A Website Requests Personal Information

A student visits a website offering a free online game. Before allowing access, the website requests the student's full name, home address, and telephone number.

Select the most appropriate response.

1. Provide all requested information.
2. Use a friend's information instead.
3. Avoid entering unnecessary information and check whether the service is trustworthy and age-appropriate.
4. Post the requested information publicly.

Scenario 3: An Unfamiliar Online Contact

A student receives a message from an unfamiliar account asking to continue a conversation through a private messaging application.

Select the most appropriate response.

1. Immediately accept the invitation.
2. Share contact details to continue the conversation.
3. Avoid sharing personal information and seek guidance from a trusted adult when appropriate.
4. Send the account a password to verify identity.

Facilitator answer guide

• A strong response should identify the privacy or safety concern, compare possible consequences, and justify an appropriate action.

• Participants should demonstrate that responsible digital decisions consider both personal safety and the effects of online behavior on others.

Lesson 2 Assessment

Instructions: Based on what you have learned so far, complete the short written assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts.

Assessment Question: A student receives a message from an unfamiliar account requesting a photograph and personal contact information. Explain two possible consequences of responding and recommend an appropriate action. Justify your recommendation.

Response Criteria: Participants should be able to identify two potential risks of sharing personal information with an unfamiliar account, recommend an appropriate safety action, and explain how their recommendation protects the student's privacy and security.

Click here to continue to Unit 3: Understanding How Cryptography Protects Digital Information

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