Unit 2: Making Safe and Responsible Digital Decisions
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Previous Unit: Unit 1: Protecting Digital Privacy, Accounts, and Devices
Next Unit: Unit 3: Understanding How Cryptography Protects Digital Information
Unit Overview
Digital communication is part of students’ everyday lives. They use online platforms to communicate, collaborate, and share information. However, these activities can expose them to privacy risks, digital footprints, and unsafe interactions.
Students may not recognize how sharing messages, photos, or personal information online can affect themselves and others. They need to recognize potential risks and make responsible decisions to protect their privacy and safety.
Participants will examine common online risks, analyze realistic scenarios, and recommend safer responses. They will also explore practical activities that help K–12 students evaluate their online behavior, think critically, and make responsible digital decisions.
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Identify risks associated with online communication and digital interactions.
- Evaluate the consequences of different online decisions.
- Justify safer choices in realistic digital situations.
- Develop age-appropriate activities that promote responsible digital decision-making.
Unit Lessons
Lesson 1: Online Communication and Digital Risks
- Identify online communication risks, understand digital footprints, and examine the consequences of sharing information online.
Lesson 2: Evaluating and Making Responsible Digital Decisions
- Evaluate online scenarios, compare possible responses, and develop age-appropriate activities that promote responsible digital decisions.
Lesson 1: Online Communication and Digital Risks
Online communication allows individuals to exchange messages, photographs, videos, and other information through websites, applications, and digital platforms. These interactions can support learning and social connections, but they can also create privacy and security concerns.
In this lesson, participants will examine risks associated with online communication, including sharing personal information, interacting with unfamiliar individuals, and creating digital footprints.
Lesson 2: Evaluating and Making Responsible Digital Decisions
Online communication includes interactions through messaging applications, social media, online games, discussion forums, and educational platforms.
These technologies allow students to communicate quickly and collaborate with others. However, online interactions can also involve unfamiliar individuals, misleading information, or requests for personal details.
Students need opportunities to recognize when online interactions may create risks and understand how to respond appropriately.
Click here to continue to Unit 3: Understanding How Cryptography Protects Digital Information