Navigating the Digital World Lesson Plan Navigating the Digital World
Lesson Plan: Digital Citizenship & Safety
Duration 40 min
Objective
Students will define internet safety and digital citizenship, identify safe online practices, and understand the importance of respectful communication in the digital world.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Approach
Interactive discussion & scenario-based learning
Why This Matters
"In today's connected world, it's crucial for students to navigate the internet safely and responsibly. This lesson equips them with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves online and contribute positively to digital communities, preparing them for future online interactions."
Teacher Prep
Review the Cyber Navigator Slide Deck and Quiz .
Set up projector/interactive whiteboard.
Ensure stable internet for the Kahoot (if using online).
Print Digital Footprint Warm-Up handouts.
Materials
Digital Footprint Warm-Up
Cyber Navigator Slide Deck
Digital Citizenship Quiz/Kahoot
Markers or Pens
Instructional Steps
5 min
Warm-Up: Digital Footprints
Distribute the Digital Footprint Warm-Up . Ask students to quietly reflect and write down their answers. Facilitate a brief class discussion, connecting their 'footprints' and 'online trails' to the internet.
10 min
Intro: What is Digital Citizenship?
Present the first few slides of the Cyber Navigator Slide Deck . Lead a discussion using the prompts on the slides about internet safety and digital citizenship. Encourage students to share their initial thoughts and experiences.
18 min
Game: Digital Citizenship Challenge
Play the Digital Citizenship Kahoot Quiz (or use the printed scenario worksheet). Discuss answers and clarify misconceptions after each question. The scenarios are designed to spark dialogue about real-world online dilemmas.
7 min
Wrap-Up: Our Digital Pledge
Display the final slide. Briefly reiterate key takeaways. Ask students to commit to being responsible and respectful digital citizens. Optional: Have students sign the 'Digital Pledge' on the back of their warm-up sheet.
Digital Footprint Warm Up Worksheet Digital Footprint Warm-Up
Cyber Navigator Series
Name
Date
Instructions
Think about a time you left footprints in sand or snow. What did those footprints show about where you went and what you did? Now, imagine you leave a similar trail every time you use the internet.
1. What kind of trail do you think you leave online every day?
2. What are some positive things you might want your online trail to show?
3. What are some things you would want to be careful about leaving in your online trail?
Cyber Navigator Slide Deck Cyber Navigator Series
Navigating the
Digital World
Your Guide to Online Safety and Responsibility!
Teacher: Welcome students and introduce digital citizenship. Connect to the warm-up activity.
What is Internet Safety?
It's like staying safe in the real world, but online!
Protecting your personal information
Being aware of online risks
Making smart choices
🔒
Digital Lockbox
Teacher: Ask students for real-world parallels like locking doors or not talking to strangers.
Digital Citizenship
Being a good, responsible, and respectful member of the online world.
🤝
Respecting others
🤔
Thinking before you post
🛡️
Protecting yourself and others
Teacher: Ask for examples of good citizenship in the real world and how it applies online.
Online Safety Checklist
1
Keep personal info private (Full name, address, passwords).
2
Create strong, unique passwords with symbols and numbers.
3
Think critically before you click, share, or download.
4
Never meet online contacts in person without a trusted adult.
5
Tell a trusted adult if something makes you uncomfortable!
Teacher: Emphasize "Stop, Think, Connect". Ask students who their trusted adults are.
Your Impact Matters
Be Respectful
Kindness in comments and messages goes a long way. No rumors or gossip.
Give Credit
Acknowledge creators when using images, ideas, or content.
🚫
Stop Cyberbullying
Stand up against it or report it to a trusted adult. Be an upstander, not a bystander.
Time to Investigate!
Put on your investigator hats. We're going to analyze real online situations and make smart, safe choices.
A
B
C
D
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
How quickly can you make the right choice when faced with an online dilemma?
READY... SET... GO!
🌍
You Are a Digital Citizen
BE SAFE
BE RESPECTFUL
BE SMART
Every choice you make online shapes your
Digital Footprint
Cyber Navigator Quiz Worksheet Cyber Navigator Quiz
Digital Citizenship Challenge
Name
1. Your friend, Alex, gets a friend request from someone they don't recognize on social media. The profile is mostly empty. What's the safest advice you can give Alex?
Accept it, maybe it's a new friend.
Message them to ask who they are.
Ignore or decline the request.
Accept it, they probably just want to be friends.
2. Maya takes a picture of Sam making a silly face in class and posts it to a group chat without Sam's permission. What should Maya do immediately?
Leave the picture online.
Delete the post and apologize to Sam.
Tell Sam it's not a big deal.
Post a different funny picture.
3. If you see Maya's post and notice others laughing at Sam, what is the most responsible action for you to take?
Laugh along with the others.
Do nothing, it's not your problem.
Tell a trusted adult about the post.
Tell Maya to delete it yourself.
4. You get a message: "Urgent! Click here to claim your limited-time free game console! Just enter your parent's credit card!" What should you do?
Click the link to get the free game.
Share the message with friends.
Delete the message & do not click.
Ask for more details.
5. What does it mean to have a 'digital footprint'?
The actual size of your physical presence.
The trail of data you leave behind online.
A unique online avatar you create.
How many followers you have.
6. Why is it important to think carefully before you post something online?
Posting a lot costs extra money.
Once online, it is permanent & visible.
Your friends might not like your post.
It takes too long to write.
7. What makes a password strong and secure?
Your birthday.
Your name and a pet's name.
Mix of case, numbers, and symbols.
Writing it on a note.
8. You find an amazing image online for your school project. What should you do to avoid plagiarism?
Use it without saying where it's from.
Say you made the image.
Find the creator and give them credit.
Only use pictures you drew.
9. If an app suddenly asks for personal info like your home address or bank details, what should you do?
Give them the information quickly.
Ask a friend what they did.
Cyber Navigator Quiz Answer Key Answer Key
Cyber Navigator Quiz
Teacher Resource
1. Alex gets a friend request from a stranger with an empty profile. Best advice?
Accept it...
Message them...
Ignore or decline the request.
Accept it...
2. Maya posts a silly picture of Sam without permission. Immediate action?
Leave it online.
Delete the post and apologize.
Tell Sam it's not a big deal.
Post a different funny picture.
3. You see Maya's post and others laughing. Most responsible action?
Laugh along.
Do nothing.
Tell a trusted adult about the post.
Tell Maya to delete it yourself.
4. Urgent "free game console" message asking for credit card. What to do?
Click the link.
Share with friends.
Delete message & do not click.
Ask for more details.
5. What does 'digital footprint' mean?
Physical presence size.
Trail of data left behind online.
Online avatar.
Follower count.
6. Why think before posting?
Costs extra money.
Permanent and seen by many.
Friends might not like it.
Takes too long.
7. What makes a password strong?
Birthday.
Name/Pet name.
Mix of case, numbers, symbols.
Writing on a note.
8. How to avoid plagiarism with online images?
Use without credit.
Say you made it.
Find creator and give credit.
Only use drawings.
9. App asks for home address/bank details suddenly. Advice?
Give info quickly.
Ask a friend.
Stop app and tell an adult.
Make up fake details.
10. Primary design of privacy settings?
Look professional.
Control info/post visibility.
Find new friends.
Speed up connection.
11. Why update privacy settings regularly?
Apps change settings often.
Look better.
They stay same.
Get more likes.
12. Sharing with a small group of friends. Best feature?
Share publicly.
Privacy settings for specific group.
Public, no comments.
Delete it later.