Activity 1: Your Digital Footprint
Name __________________
Part A: Google Yourself
In a new browser window, go to www.Google.com and then search your name. If you have a common name, it may
be helpful to add your city to the search keywords. It is valuable to know what information is available to others to
view online. Answer the following questions:
How many results came up when you Google your name? ________________
How many are specifically you? _______________
What kinds of information came up (i.e. team sports, awards, articles, social media connections)?
Could someone track you down with the information that came up? ________________
Can someone find your address, phone number, school or other information that would lead them to you? ______
How many of the results are from postings about you that were done by someone else? _______
Did they get my permission to post it first? _________
Is there anything that you didn’t realize was posted publicly? __________
Did anything surprise you? ________
Part B: Social Media
Search your name on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.
What can people find out about you there? _______
Can they track you down? _______
Do you wish that something was not posted? _________ (yes or no)
Are there any surprises? __________
What would you like to change?
Activity 2: Planning for Your Safety Online
Part A: Online Safety
Review the resources provided in this unit. Write about 5 things you must do to protect yourself online and why you
must do each.
Five things I must do to protect myself online
Why it is important that I do this
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Part B: Social Media Safety
Social Media opportunities are based upon rapid-fire short responses. The problem with this is that sometimes
people do not think before responding, and they put their safety and identity in jeopardy.
1.
Predators – people who use false identity to troll social media sites in hopes of establishing a sense of trust
so that they can meet and abuse another human being. What is your plan for protecting yourself from
predators?
2.
(Over) Sharing Information – telling others where you live, where your friends are meeting, where you go
to school, or posting your phone #, address put you in a dangerous situation. What can you do to make sure
you and your friends are safe?
3.
Hidden Details in Photos – photos contain EXIF information (about the camera used to take the photo). If
you are using your cell phone, that gives others (who know how to retrieve it) information about access to
your phone and your location. What can you do to make sure you and your friends are safe?
4.
Cyberbullying – it might seem like fun to put others down online, and it often starts out as friendly teasing,
but things can turn ugly fast and words can be easily misinterpreted. What can you do to make sure your
words and those of your friends are not perceived as cyber-bullying?
5.
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words – a picture can be just as damaging to you or another person as words,
sometimes even more. What can you do to avoid damage to yourself and others via social media?