Computer Science
Grade 3
20 min
Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind
Understand the concept of a digital footprint and its impact.
What you'll learn
- Identify at least two examples of information that should be kept private online to protect your digital footprint.
- Explain in your own words what a digital footprint is and why it is important to be aware of it.
- List three actions you can take to create a positive digital footprint.
- Distinguish between information that is safe to share online and information that should be kept private, providing one example of each.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'digital footprint' using a simple analogy.
Identify at least three examples of online actions that create a digital footprint.
Explain that online information can be permanent, like a tattoo for the internet.
Use a simple 'IF-THEN' conditional statement to decide if something is safe to share online.
List two types of personal information that should not be shared online.
Have you ever walked on a sandy beach or in the snow and looked back at your footprints? 👣 You leave a trail online, too!
Today, we're going to learn about our 'digital footprints.' These are the trails of information we leave behind when we use computers, tablets, or phones. Learning about this helps us stay safe and be kind online.
Real-World...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Digital FootprintThe trail of data you leave behind when you do things online. It's like a collection of all your online footprints.Liking a video, posting a photo, playing a game, or sending an email all add to your digital footprint.
DataTiny pieces of information. Your name, your age, and the games you like are all data.When you type your name into a website, you are sharing a piece of data.
Personal InformationData that is about YOU and can be used to find you. It's special information you should protect.Your full name, home address, phone number, or school name.
EventAn action that you do online, like clicking a button or typing a message.Clicking the 'send' button on an email is an event that leaves a footprint.
PermanentSomething that lasts...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The 'IF-THEN' Thinking Rule
IF I post this, THEN who will see it and how will they feel?
Use this rule before any online event, like posting a comment or photo. It helps you think about the consequences (the 'THEN' part) before you act (the 'IF' part).
The 'Keep It Private' Rule
Never share your personal information online.
Personal information is data that can identify you in the real world. Protect it by never putting it in usernames, posts, or messages to people you don't know.
The 'Ask First' Rule
Ask a trusted adult before you share, sign up, or download.
When you are not sure if an online event is safe, always stop and ask a parent, guardian, or teacher for help. They can help you check if it's okay.
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Challenging
Your digital footprint is like a story about you online. If someone only knew you from your digital footprint, what would a positive footprint tell them about you?
A.That you are kind, creative, and share helpful things
B.That you don't like using the internet
C.That you only like to argue with people
D.That you don't have any real friends
Challenging
Some websites use 'cookies,' which are small files that remember what you do on their site. If you visit a toy store website and look at model rockets, and later you see ads for model rockets on a different website, what is the most likely reason?
A.The computer is guessing what you like
B.Your parents told the other website what you looked at
C.The cookie from the toy store website shared data that you like rockets
D.It's just a coincidence
Challenging
A new app says, 'To work best, we need to always know your location.' Why is this a potential problem for your safety and your digital footprint?
A.It will use up your battery very fast
B.It will make the app run slower
C.It will only share your location with your best friends
D.It creates a permanent record of where you go, which could be shared with strangers
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind"?
Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind is a Grade 3 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind?
You'll be able to: Identify at least two examples of information that should be kept private online to protect your digital footprint; Explain in your own words what a digital footprint is and why it is important to be aware of it; List three….
Is "Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Digital Footprint: What You Leave Behind?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.