All Activities
Computing

Leave a Trace: Understanding Digital Footprints

Overview

Students explore how information shared online can be stored and accessed later, even if deleted.

Learning Objective
Students understand that actions online leave a trace (digital footprint) and can affect privacy and reputation.

Resources needed

  • No materials required
  • Optional: scenario cards

Lesson stages

0 / 10 done
  1. 1 Introduce digital footprint as information left online.
  2. 2 Give examples (posts, messages, searches).
  3. 3 Discuss what information is safe or unsafe to share.
  4. 4 Students consider different scenarios.
  5. 5 Decide if actions are safe or risky.
  6. 6 Discuss consequences.
  7. 7 Students create guidelines for safe behaviour.
  8. 8 Share ideas.
  9. 9 Reflect on personal responsibility.
  10. 10 Discuss: how can we stay safe online?

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Role-play scenarios.
  • Create posters of safe practices.
  • Discuss real-life examples.
More information

Teach: digital, footprint, online, safe, private. Use frames: 'This is safe because…'.

Use simple scenarios or visuals.

Can students identify safe and unsafe behaviours? Can they explain why?

Fully discussion-based.

Students may think deleted content disappears permanently.

Understanding digital footprints is key to safe and responsible technology use.

Activity details
Primary Medium 25 minutes no prep Pairs, Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Digital Footprint Online Safety Data Responsibility